Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 12/02/2009 - 09:16
Forums
Ice Core Drilling in West Antarctica

First of all, thank you for you detailed response about staying warm! It is so interesting! We have further questions for you!

Is it hard to fall asleep when it looks like the middle of the day? Can you post a map of where you are now? Are there any buildings at WAIS Divide? Is it fun living in Antarctica?

We know you are busy, but we will check back to find out! Good luck! Mrs. Kane's class in Arizona

Tue, 12/29/2009 - 07:51

Heidi Roop

Q: Is it hard to fall asleep when it looks like the middle of the day?
A: Actually, I have been sleeping really well! We work really hard and in very cold temperatures so usually our bodies are exhausted by the end of the workday, making it very easy to fall asleep despite the sun. The sun also moves around the sky so you can tell, based on where it is, the relative time of the day. Also, I usually snuggle up in my sleeping bag, which is black, and it feels like it is dark out! I have been sleeping soundly nearly every night.
Can you post a map of where you are now?
There should be a map on the project page but if you check out the WAIS Divide website (www.waisdivide.unh.edu/) there are maps there too. It is difficult to upload good maps from here but I will work on it!
Are there any buildings at WAIS Divide?
I have a post in the works about all of our buildings. It is like a little city out here. We have a medical tent, a galley (kitchen and dining area), a recreation room with a TV, a science tent where we can work, and a communications tent with radios and satellite phones. We also have a tool shed, fuels shed, and, most importantly, the drill arch!
Is it fun living in Antarctica?
I am loving living in Antarctica. It is amazing how your body can adjust to the cold. Sleeping in a cold tent can actually become normal! The food is delicious and I can eat as much candy as I want, making life really great! I really miss newspapers more than anything. We don’t really get any news out here so it will be nice to get home and stay in touch with the rest of the world. Is there anything exciting going on that I have missed? If so, let me know!
Thanks a bunch to you all at Mile High! I can’t wait to come visit when I get back. Keep the questions coming and be sure to think of some you can ask while I am there, live and in person.
We know you are busy, but we will check back to find out! Good luck! Mrs. Kane's class in Arizona