South Pole Journal: 1 June 2023
1 June at the South Pole: -78°F, complete darkness, and nine months of isolation. The 43-person winter crew remains cut off since 15 February, watching auroras dance above a lunar-like desert. Reflections on family, endurance, and life at 10,700 feet.
Originally published 1 June 2023 during my time as Winter Site Manager at the South Pole Station.
1 June
Temperature: -61.2°C/-78.2°F
Wind Chill: -82.9°C/-117.3°F
Wind Speed: NNE, 11.4KNOTS
Wind Direction: GRID: 24.6 / CARDINAL: NNE
Air Pressure: ALTITUDE (FEET): 10,702 / ALTITUDE (METERS): 3,261 / INCHES HG: 20.0 / MILLIBARS: 677.9
It’s the first of June! Today is Thursday 1 June 2020 at the South Pole. It’s completely dark outside. We are in the middle of a two and a half month period of absolute darkness. We’re only blessed with light every two weeks when the moon comes up. On days that aren’t overcast and cloudy, the snow reflects enough light to make it so bright out you don’t need a headlamp to make your way around. In the Station it’s a constant 65°F, but outside it’s roughly ambient -80°F with mild winds putting us at well below a -100°F windchill. The cold doesn’t hurt as bad as you think, as long as you’re bundled up. Actually, living and working at the South Pole in the winter is as close to what life on a lunar base would be like. It’s a desert here, and it hardly, if ever, snows.
The aurorae australis were not as vibrant as they were yesterday. The cameras that point at the Station from one of the science outbuildings give us a constant view of our building and the skies above. When the skies turn green, the aurorae are out in force, and many quickly get up and go outside to see them. Our 43 person winter crew has been isolated here since 15 February, including myself. Most of us will be here until mid to late October when our first flights come in bringing new personnel and supplies.
As I sit in my office and gaze to my left, I see photos of my family; wife and two children. I’ve been here at the South Pole for 197 days, since 16 November 2022. I’ve missed everyone’s birthday, Christmas, and New Years for the third year in a row. Only five more months until I see you all again.
More to come tomorrow from the South Pole, Antarctica.
