The Pogonip is here!

These last 3 days are testing my endurance. All flight activity to the South Pole, known as "The Pole", and to the research camps have been cancelled due to the pogonip. Pogonip is fog of fine ice crystals suspended in air. This only occurs in very specific weather conditions, such as it's gotta be flippin' cold! For instance, today was -13F/-25C BUT with the wind chill it was -35F/-37C which made my 3 minute walk to work grueling. These are still considered good conditions, or normal aka Condition 3.

There are 3 classes of weather conditions that define travel restrictions. Condition 3 is when the wind chill is above -75F and winds less than 48 knots, normal days. Condition 2 is with wind chills of -75F to -100F with less than 1/4 mile visibility and only necessary work travel within groups, with constant radio communication is permitted. Condition 1 means no travel, wind speeds greater than 55 knots, and wind chills colder than -100F. If I'm out in that just kill me on the spot if I haven't already combusted into ice particiles!


The sun is here somewhere behind loose snow blowing in every direction. Days like today you won't find many people outside, unless food is being served, as now, lunch time. But this stormy environment is intriguing in of itself. I am on the edge of nowhere, no kidding, we are on the edge of Ross Island off the edge of Antarctica. In this extreme weather (some will argue that this is not so extreme, because it does get worse, but.. this is my light) my body is a little confused. I've got a huge appetite, as to be expected since my body needs to keep warm. Luckily the food is pretty good, but I can't snack all day either. I have another 4 months to fit into these clothes! They cater very well to vegetarians and even often some vegan options!



On Sunday some of us began the afternoon on a tour of the Crary Science lab. This is the epicenter for the scientists and researchers to organize and test their data that was gathered out on the field. Here, Cesar takes his chances in the touch tank.


Eric and I break away and hike up to the Discovery Hut at Hut Point. The hut was built in 1902 by Capt. R. F. Scott and his crew during his Antarctic Expedition of 1901 - 1904.

Here is a mummified seal outside the hut.



Cold, soo cold but rewarded at the top with views of the never ending Ross Ice Shelf.



This cross honors George T. Vince, a member of the Scott expedition at the turn of the last century who was the first person to lose his life in the McMurdo area. He slipped and fell into the water and was never found. It is one of several monuments around town (McMurdo Station) dedicated to the few brave souls that made the voyage to Antarctica never to return home.



Dressed in my Sunday best behind me is the Discovery Hut, and further beyond is McMurdo Station, home for the next 5 months. Sunburn, as is frostbite are serious problems due to the cold and wicked winds. The ozone layer at the earths' poles are depleted and even 20 minutes outside with your face exposed without sunscreen poses a problem. This is also why we must wear specific heavy duty 92% glacier density sunglasses to protect our eyes. I found them impossible to wear anywhere else other than here because they are so dark.



Emily's last night here in town before leaving for the Pole. Apparently the 2 bars, and coffee/wine house are all closed on Monday nights. And that's an airplane.


But don't be fooled, there is no shortage of ways to keep ourselves occupied. After dinner we take the party to Cesar's building for a night of pool. Thank goodness we had Susan on our team.