Answering Questions

The weather is not only extreme at the South Pole but also "moody" We have seen 80 degree temperature swings within a single week. -50 F is now considered awesome. A far cry from that first day at Pole when -29 F was a shock.

There is still a faint glow of sun light on the horizon and the sky is slowly filling with stars.

We might not see the sun as we once did but the moon rising is just as amazing from our perch at the bottom of the world.

The Auroras are starting to let themselves be seen. At times in combination with the moon and other beautiful sites. In the below image the full moon is seen through the generator exhaust plume and the Auroras just above the station to the right. The red lights you see are due to experiments and cameras that are light sensitive. The majority of the science at the South Pole takes place during the "long dark night".

Where else can one see a moon so clear that you could almost reach out and touch it? Space! 

Oh yeah, the questions:

Brian Payne asked what creature comforts I brought with me. 

I have to say that the most use goes to my music player and my wireless headphones and the plethora of music and nature sounds that I brought with me. I listen to different things every morning. At times thunderstorms or birds in the forest and even waves breaking on a shore. I don't only listen to those sounds for relaxation but to fill the void that is created by the silence and darkness of the South Pole. Sensory deprivation can sneak up on you if not recognized. Sights, sounds and smells that we take for granted back home are non existent here. I also brought dozens of pictures from around the world. They give me a window onto those sights that I wont be seeing for some time. As I type this I am listening to Beethoven and have a picture of a creek running through a pine forest on my secondary screen. Nice!

Garry Reese asked what a typical work day is like at the South Pole.

It varies depending on what you do. Mine starts with going to the gym at 0400, followed by breakfast at 0600, then at 0645 I review e-mails and the day's plan. At 0730 my department meets for morning stretching followed by a morning safety and work planing meeting at 0800. There are three Utility Techs, three Fuels Operators, one Electrician, one Plumber, one Facilities Engineer and a Fire Alarm Tech within our department. We are complimented by a Safety Engineer that assists with daily safety planing. 

There are a variety of ongoing projects, repairs and maintenance tasks that we are responsible for. Knowing the priorities and planing accordingly is paramount. Once all tasking and safety is reviewed everyone heads out to different locations throughout the station and outlying science and support buildings. I then meet with the Station Manager and other departments to include science to coordinate any needs. The support of science at the South Pole is our primary objective. We keep everything running so they can conduct their science. Out here electricity and other utilities are not just luxuries, they are life support. We lose any of them and things can get difficult if not dangerous. No one can come in to help. We are on our own until the first flights start arriving in October. We might as well be on another planet. 

At 1200 we have lunch followed by a brief overview of the mornings activities then it's back to our planned tasking. I coordinate pending work with the Work Order Scheduler, plan, coordinate and assist with projects and walk to different science and support locations to review any issues that may have an impact on station systems. Those walks can at times put you a mile from the main station giving one the opportunity to take in the dark and quiet landscape. By 1700 we discuss any findings and or pending issues and head off to dinner at 1730. Lights out for me is usually 1930 hrs. There you have it. A day (night) at the South Pole!

Next Post? Outdoor Gear