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Blogs from McMurdo Station, Antarctica, Antarctica
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December 24th 2012
Another completed season. Met new friends, and got the chance to work again with friends from previous years. Arrived in August 2011 and departed 1 March 2012. If anyone has any questions, I can be reached at k1frei@yahoo.com.... read more
My year (and then some) on the Ice comes to a close....
Published: January 27th 2012Antarctica » Antarctica » McMurdo Station
November 10th 2011
Apologies again, this is a Nov 2011 post before leaving The Ice that I never got around to finishing/publishing- so now catching up! and almost there! -thanks for taking a look! Originaly scheduled to leave Mcmurdo Station in early Oct i was extended till early Nov/11 But I greatly enjoyed the transition from summer to winter to full summer again(no other seasons here!) the sun is up, the sun is down-thats it. The pics are mostly from that few weeks extra, and just some shots around 'town' -rather than of penguins and seals. Getting on that C-17 flight off the Ice, I didnt know if I would ever see Antarctica again, none of us ever really do despite our plans. Its still a very wild and unpredictable place-and life is too. So each time I leave ... read more
Winter on the Ice -March to August 2011
Published: December 30th 2011Antarctica » Antarctica » McMurdo Station
August 10th 2011
(apologies as this was actually posted Dec 28.11--I had not updated so now getting back on track!) My third winter on the Ice, we had a station population of 151, later 149 due to emergency medical evac of personel (they are now fine!) Lots and Lots of snow, oddly enough not that frequent in Antarctica; and some good *& kicking polar storms. But also much warmer than normal winters-this makes for rough weather. Sadly 3 Norweigian sailors were lost nearby in our first storm of winter, the crew of the Berzerk 2. Winter on the Ice is alot of solitude, reflection and close alliances with your fellow winter -overs. We work very hard, long hours but enjoy our free time, as we are alone for 6 months. yep, internet and tv we have, but the nearest ... read more
Penguins Penguins Penguins..and a couple Seals!
Published: March 29th 2011Antarctica » Antarctica » McMurdo Station
March 29th 2011
With our winter setting in, and the sea ice beggining to form, the penguins around Mcmurdo/Scott Base will soon walk, slide and swim to other places, the Emperors with their shiny new coats of feathers will head SE to their rookeries, to breed all through the polar winter, in horrific weather (for a human anyway). What Natures' purpose in this ritual is I dont know, survival of the fittest maybe? The smaller, knee high animated Adeleis breed over the summer, complete their molt and head North to warmer climes, out to sea, to the edge of the winter ice pack, to stuff their little faces in preparation for the next breeding season. After a summer of very few penguins, the sea ice blew out, and suddenly we were awash with them! They are fun to watch ... read more
March 10th 2011
Antarctica is covered by Ice, so much of it that the entire continent has been pushed hundreds if not thousands of feet down into the Earths crust by the sheer wieght. Its over 3 miles thick in places- pretty amazing really. In the winter the entire landmass is surrounded by a ring of ice that can go out over 100 miles or more in places, its the seasonal Sea Ice, which in summer often breaks up and floats away, exposing rocky shorelines and the very few sand beaches. But here at Mcmurdo Station, which actually sits along a 40 mile wide bay (or sound) the ice has been locked in for over 10 years, some of the thicker ice up to 30 years. All many of us have ever seen here is a thick carpet of ... read more
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Antarctica Science-Everything you ever wanted to know.
Published: February 23rd 2011Antarctica » Antarctica » McMurdo StationFebruary 23rd 2011
The following are links for science being done in Antarctica. Within these links are more links to more information. Science Programs http://www.usap.gov/usapgov/researchersAndScienceProjects/index.cfm?m=5 United States Antarctic Program Science Summaries http://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/antarct/treaty/usap_sumry_list.jsp About the Continent http://www.usap.gov/usapgov/aboutTheContinent/index.cfm?m=2 The Antarctic Treaty http://www.usap.gov/usapgov/theAntarcticTreaty/index.cfm?m=2 Video Clips, Maps, and Images http://www.usap.gov/usapgov/videoClipsAndMaps/index.cfm?m=2 Educational Opportunities and Resources http://www.usap.gov/usapgov/educationalResources.cfm?m=2 Research Opportunities http://www.usap.gov/usapgov/researchOpportunities.cfm?m=3 News on Antarctica. Curious about the current research taking place around Antarctica? Have friends and family back h... read more
November 7th 2010
Working and living in the Antarctic environment requires specialized training, especialy if your job has you off-station out on the ice or up in the mountains. Whether you are a scientist or merely supporting science (as I and most of us on station do) there is needed training. From snow- mobile operation to what we call 'Happy Camper' school, (basic polar survival skills) the training is usually intense given the environment, but it can be fun and sometimes awesome! Sea Ice School is one of these, learning how to 'read' the Ice for signs of its condition and thickness, how to drill down and see if its safe to walk or drove over-your life can literaly depend on it, and others with you. Plus you get to go to some cool places! In this class we ... read more
November 2nd 2010
well some traditions transcend locations, oceans and ice.....one would be Halloween, at least for Americans, so here we go --its cold and scary down here!!!... read more
October 28th 2010
Happy Camper is yet another training course that all field camp participants need to complete before deploying to the field. It is basically training specific towards camping/surviving in Antarctica. We were given a rundown on tent setup including Scott tents and four season expedition tents, as well as camp setup, wind direction and basic do’s and don’t when faced with the extreme climate of Antarctica. After a morning of classroom instruction focusing on health and hazards in the Antarctic, we set out for the camp location. The weather was fair, it was snowing but with the storm systems comes warm air. Our group of 20 started building camp, one of the major components of camps in the Antarctic is a snow wall to block the wind and provide protection for the tents. The wall was ... read more
October 18th 2010
I have been in Antarctica for a little over a week now and, so far I would say that I am having a very positive experience. Everyone I meet is super down to earth, I feel as if I will develop so strong lifelong relationships with most of my friends down here. Yesterday I went for a day hike with a couple that I meet, Anna and her boyfriend Dane, two super cool people who I hope to hang with sometime off the Ice. We did a trail called the ridge trail. It was hyper windy, with the wind chill around -20F. The trail started at Discovery hut and worked its way up the hill from there. The sites were beautiful and the wind made the journey that much more challenging. I have a much ... read more
