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Ben Mapston (Winter Base Commander 2011) Halley V was designed to be jacked up on steel legs every year to avoid the ever increasing snow accumulation, however when the Halley VI build was announced it was decided not to jack the building anymore. This was back in 2006 and since then the snow has built up and a massive wind tail has developed to the west of the platform. A snow model of the Laws platform was made by a Canadian firm in 2010, and it suggested that the end of the platform should be boxed off to reduce the amount of snow build up around the building. This was done in the summer and also meant a new front door was fitted and the post office sign had to be relocated. The steps that once were the entrance to the south of the platform were removed in the summer and a ramp has been put in place. It is now possible to walk straight off the platform to the snow level. It is a daily task to clear the platform and ramp from depositing snow. When the RRS Ernest Shackleton resupplied us last summer we got 12 brand new shovels... now we know why . [09 June 2011]
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