South Pole Journal: 4 June 2023
-82°F and 10,824 feet above sea level on Day 201 of winter. Reflections on six-day workweeks, extreme dryness, humidifiers, “strawberries,” and the small survival routines that define life in total darkness at the bottom of the world.
Originally published on 4 June 2023 during my time at the South Pole Station as the Winter Site Manager.
4 June
Temperature: -63.5°C/-82.3°F
Wind Chill: -86.4°C/-123.6°F
Wind Speed: NNE, 12.2 KNOTS
Wind Direction: GRID: 14.5 / CARDINAL: NNE
Air Pressure: ALTITUDE (FEET): 10,824 / ALTITUDE (METERS): 3,299 / INCHES HG: 19.9 / MILLIBARS: 674.7
Day 201! Today is Sunday. Rarely do I get to take Sundays completely off. The work week here is six days, Monday through Saturday. I have weekly admin tasks to complete, and Sunday is a good day to do them because there is generally less going on around Station that during the rest of the six day workweek.
Living in a dry environment like the South Pole can be difficult. One of the things I have noticed about my body reacting to the extreme dryness is inside of my nose. Since I got here I’ve had scabs inside my nostrils and the occasional bloody nose. The scabs don’t seem to ever fully heal. If I blow my nose, out comes the scabs. I know it may sound a bit gross, but it’s part of life here at South Pole. Some refer to them as “strawberries.” It’s not uncommon.
There are a few ways to remedy the dryness. Humidifiers are available. I use mine above my bed, at about half to 75% capacity to shower me with a blanket of humidity as I sleep. It helps with dryness and the dry mouth associated with sleeping here. Sometimes if you don’t drink enough water you’ll find yourself with an incredible case of dry mouth when you wake up. At times your nose will get blocked and you’ll sleep while breathing out of your mouth. That’s happened to me and it usually wakes me up. Water often helps. Hydrating before bed is a double edged sword though because you’re likely to wake up having to use the bathroom. So if you don’t hydrate you’ll be woken up by dry mouth. If you do hydrate, you’re probably getting up to use the bathroom. Many utilize pee bottles to save a trip to the bathroom and exposure to the bright lights in the halls and the bathrooms.
More to come tomorrow from the South Pole, Antarctica.
