Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, 90 Degree South
Temperature: minus 35 Celsius
Wind chill: minus 43 Celsius
Weather: bright and sunny with blue sky
We made it to the South Pole with no further delay!!
Transportation from McMurdo was at 7:30 am via Taxi (a van) to Williams Field skiway. It operates from October until February and is build on the Ross Ice Shelf about miles via snow road from McMurdo. This site sits on about 25 feet of compacted snow, lying on top of 260 feet of, floating over 1800 feet of water. Williams Field skyway is utilized by LC – 130 and Twin Otter ski-equipped aircraft. We were flying with an LC 130.
Inside the LC 130: Andy Clark, left of me and Bryan Johnson on the right. Both are from my reserach team
Interesting was to observe how important the weight distribution in the plain is. We tried twice and were not able to get off the ground. After some of the cargo was shifted further to the back we had no problem to take off.
The flight took about 3 hours. The weather was absolute gorgeous with clear skies and we had spectacular views of the Antarctic mountain range while crossing over to the Antarctic plateau.
crossing the Antarctic Mountains
We were greeted by Amy Cox, the NOAA officer upon arrival at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. It was an amazing feeling to be back at South Pole. So much has changed since 1998 with the completion of thenew Station
Arriving at the SOuth Pole, the LC 130 in the background
We went to the new station for a briefing and yes, I will be living there during my stay and not at "summer camp"
The new station is the building on the left
The South Pole is at 9300feet of accumulated snow. However, it feels like being much higher: at about 11 000 feet or about 3000m .We have been taking medicine to prepare us for the high altitude and we were advised to take it easy for a few days. Several people did not take it easy upon arrival during the season and had to be evacuated because they fell ill with altitude sickness.
After lunch I moved into my room, unpacked and rested. After dinner we took a tour of the beautiful new station. I opened some of my 6 packages and read all the cards I received from so many students. Thank all for thinking of me!!
It is time to get more rest. Tomorrow 9 am we will have snow-mobile training for our new surface ozone project that requires for us to find the ozone instrument via GPS and snowmobile!! This is so stay tuned to learn more about that project.
Question: Why do we need to take it easy upon arrival at the South Pole?