Some of you may remember the fascination I had with climbers who go up Mt. Everest. Well, I've discovered another extreme location and community to wonder about: the people who "winter over" in Antarctica. There's about 1,000 of them, scattered around various research stations. The station closest to the South Pole is Amundsen-Scott, operated by the U.S., where -- right now -- there are 64 people.
Here's the deal down there: about a week from now, the sun will disappear below the horizon for six months. As the sun sets, it gets too cold for planes to land at the Pole. It has to be over -50 degrees, or the hydraulics that operate flaps and landing gear start to freeze up. The last plane left on February 21, and it won't be warm enough for the next one to land until next October.
Some of the folks at the Pole have blogs:
You're allowed to take 75lbs of luggage in with you. Once there, you're allowed to have 2 two-minute showers per week. There's access to a satellite for phone and internet during 10 hours each day, but the timeframe shifts forward by four minutes every day.
On the plus side, there's a helluva light show
.
Here's the deal down there: about a week from now, the sun will disappear below the horizon for six months. As the sun sets, it gets too cold for planes to land at the Pole. It has to be over -50 degrees, or the hydraulics that operate flaps and landing gear start to freeze up. The last plane left on February 21, and it won't be warm enough for the next one to land until next October.
Some of the folks at the Pole have blogs:
MeteorologistJeff DeRosaThe people wintering over are either scientists or employees of Raytheon Polar Services, basically an Antarctic temp agency for cooks and electricians and mechanics and lab technicians and health care pros. Check out the want ads.
IT guy Patrick McClure
Science tech Neil Sheibe
You're allowed to take 75lbs of luggage in with you. Once there, you're allowed to have 2 two-minute showers per week. There's access to a satellite for phone and internet during 10 hours each day, but the timeframe shifts forward by four minutes every day.
On the plus side, there's a helluva light show
.
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