Leaving the South Pole

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After nearly 3 and a half months living and working here at the South Pole, my flight back to Christchurch leaves in 3 days.

Believe it or not - I'm going to miss being here quite a bit. It was far better an experience than I'd anticipated and I've had a blast. Everyone working down here is great - and hopefully I'll be able to keep in touch with the friends I've made here for a long time. Indeed, if I have the opportunity to find employment for my wife down here, I'd be happy to winter next year.

I don't even think I can begin to list the "first time" experiences I've had here. They're nearly daily. Yesterday I marshaled one of the LC-130 Hercules aircraft in on landing. It was utterly exhilarating, standing there directly in front of such a giant aircraft as it taxis towards you, waiting for you to signal it to stop. The -40°F temperatures added to the surreal image, as the exhaust from the aircraft and vapor from the station sailed by in front of the sun.

In any event, it will good to see the sun set again, once I get off the ice. It's bittersweet leaving this place, but I do intend to return if I can. If I can't, it's certainly been the best single, corporate experience of my life.

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Photos

Marshaling an LC-130
Me, directing an LC-130 where to land - South Pole Station, Antarctica

C-17 airdrop
Airdrop of supplies at South Pole Station, Antarctica

C-17 flyby
High speed flyby of a C-17 Globemaster III.

LC-130 arrival
Arriving at the South Pole, disembarking the LC-130

LC-130 disembarking
LC-130 aircraft preparing to disembark passengers at the South Pole

C-17 passengers
Riding as a passenger to McMurdo Station, Antarctica in a C-17 Globemaster III

LC-130 disembarking 2
Exiting the LC-130 on landing. Again!

Pisten Bully and Station
A Pisten Bully snow machine and South Pole Station in the background.

South Pole Power Plant
Exhaust from the South Pole Power Plant rises across the sun and ice.

Station Hallway
View of hallway and stairwell inside the new South Pole Station.

Garages
View of the heavy equipment garages at the South Pole.