Weather: Generally cloudy, with about an hour of clear blue sky in the afternoon. Temperatures: -10F with a windchill of around -30F Today was a busy day that started with snowmobile training (well, a refresher since I had been trained before)… The basic gist is that it’s cold here, engines don’t much like the cold,Continue reading “Jan 6th – Day 8 on Ice”
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Jan 5th, Day 7 on Ice
Race Day! Today is the annual South Pole marathon. Each year, a running enthusiast volunteers to put on the event, usually the first Sunday in January when the weather is warmest, and there are no scheduled flights. This year, one of the winter-overs, Zach, took charge. Through the efforts of him and then many, manyContinue reading “Jan 5th, Day 7 on Ice”
Jan 4th – Day 6 on Ice
Arrival At Pole (Jan 3rd) I arrived last night on my 2nd-attempt flight. Smooth sailing, and good thing we made it because the weather was turning for the worse and looks like it might be crappy for the next couple of days (plus tomorrow is Sunday, and there are no flights on Sunday). The flightContinue reading “Jan 4th – Day 6 on Ice”
Jan 3rd – Day 5 on Ice
The primary flight for today (to WAIS Divide) was activated, so we were delayed to a 3:30pm transport. So basically I just went back to sleep at 6am after I found out, and slept until lunch at 11 😛 If all goes well we’ll likely be flying out around 5pm, for arrival at Pole aroundContinue reading “Jan 3rd – Day 5 on Ice”
Jan 2nd – Day 4 on Ice
Today was the Fabled Day. The Pole flight was scheduled, bags were dragged, weather was clear and transport was set for 7:30am. I woke up at 6:30am, packed up my remaining items, took the sheets off of my bed, and ate a quick breakfast before making my way up to the loading dock where weContinue reading “Jan 2nd – Day 4 on Ice”
Jan 1st 2020! Day 3 on Ice.
Antarctica is the last unfucked-up place on Earth… at least according to the late Anothony Bordain. He visits McMurdo and the South Pole in one of his episodes of Parts Unknown (Season 9, Episode 5, if you’re interested — some of the filming in that episode are really neat, and I would recommend that episode,Continue reading “Jan 1st 2020! Day 3 on Ice.”
Dec 31st 2019 : Last Day of the Decade, Day 2 on Ice
I’ve decided that I should blog when I get the chance, and not wait until the end of the day… let’s see how that goes. SLEEP! Sleep was great! I think I probably got 10 hours of sleep! Since it’s a holiday the galley had brunch starting at 10am, so I didn’t have to getContinue reading “Dec 31st 2019 : Last Day of the Decade, Day 2 on Ice”
Dec 30th : On Ice!
It’s been a whirlwind the past couple of days, and I apologize for not writing more often. I am now in McMurdo, Antarctica, and will be here until at least Jan 2nd because of the New Years holiday. I will update this post with more information and pictures once I get settled and can connectContinue reading “Dec 30th : On Ice!”
Dec 26th: T-4 Days
Exodus Today marks my departure from civilization… Well it marks my departure to Christchurch, where I will spend at least 2 days getting my “extreme cold weather gear” -or ECW- and some vanilla extract (because Pole is apparently out, and someone has to be the hero the station needs)! tldr; I will be traveling forContinue reading “Dec 26th: T-4 Days”
Dec 25th: T-5 days
Merry Christmas! Christmas with the fam! A beautiful 50 degrees and sunny today, doesn’t feel much like Christmas but I’ll take the warm weather while I have it. Tomorrow I begin my long travel to the South Pole.
Allen's South Pole Winter-Over 2020 (+) 