China's Antarctic exploration team meets blue ice

A Chinese exploration team continues a trek to Dome A, the highest point of the Antarctic ice cap. But the researchers are getting a bumpy ride across what's known as the Blue Ice Area.

The Blue Ice Area is located on the edge of the Antarctic ice cap. Whenever snow falls, it blows up on contact, exposing large pieces of jagged solid ice, called "Blue Ice."

Break downs are frequent here. Team members have to get out and do repairs.

Sun Bo, captain of China's Antarctic exploration team, said, "We have to head off at the coldest time every day. Then the ice would be covered with snow and vehicles can drive more smoothly."

The whole team worked all night to the point of exhaustion to get the vehicle moving. After over ten hours of grueling travel, the team decided to set up camp.

Sun Bo said, "The trip is really tough. We have to adjust our plan to solve emergencies many times. But this also helps accumulate experience for future travels."

The team has managed to break out of the Blue Ice area. Thick snow now smoothes the way to the center of the ice cap.