What are some particular challenges of working on the ice?
Working in Antarctica is a very focused endeavor. Everything you do is directed toward the task at hand. The environment drives everything. Every task takes twice as long.
Foremost in your mind is keeping hands and feet warm. Handling screws and bolts can be very difficult and you have to develop unique ways of doing things. Batteries are constantly dying and you get used to having batteries in your jacket or sleeping bag to keep them warm. The wind will drive you nuts when it blows constantly for days on end and, especially when we are doing seismic work, sometimes you just have to wait till the wind stops.
One of the challenges is getting everything done in the allotted time. When the plane arrives to pick you up at the end of a season, you get on the plane. Doesn’t matter if you are done or not. So, you have to work as hard as you can, as long as you can, every day that you can. That, along with 24 hours of sunlight, makes for some long days.
What’s it take to get there?
For Antarctica, we fly commercially down to Christchurch, New Zealand. From there we fly either by LC-130 (eight hours) or C-17 (four hours) to McMurdo Station. There are occasional weather delays in both directions. Some flights south will “boomerang” if the weather in McMurdo goes down during the flight.
The LC-130s have a “PSR,” or point of safe return, where they no longer have fuel to make the return and have to press on no matter what the weather. It used to be called the “PNR.” It is not unusual for a flight to get past the PSR and have to land in the whiteout zone near McMurdo. This is an area where no travel is allowed and there are no structures so a pilot can set a glide path, descending until they find the snow surface.
To get to Greenland we usually fly from Scotia, New York, to Kangerlussuaq, a seven-hour flight, sometimes stopping in Goose Bay, Labrador, for fuel and ice cream.
What personal qualities are most important for this kind of work?
The ability to be flexible and adjust to whatever situation arises. I have had a whole season’s plan changed in an instant while on the ice, and have had to readjust everything.
A willingness to be uncomfortable comes in handy. There are many times when you will not be comfortable; cold, hungry, tired. They are all part of getting the job done.
Being out of communications with the “real world” can be particularly distressing for some. We are often without any contact other than satellite phone.
Being a pleasant expedition partner is one of the most important qualities. People can put up with a lot if their field companions are helpful, willing to work hard, and have a good attitude.
What was your favorite part of spending so many seasons in Antarctica?
The whole atmosphere of being in such a remote, beautiful place gets into your blood. I enjoy the people I meet and the focused nature of the work we do.