Hello Everyone

[Zak]

I guess this is where I should be saying hello and maybe a little something about myself. So here it goes.

My name is Zak I will be 20 years old in September and I live in Oregon (United States). I was just recently offered a job by Raytheon Polar Services as a Air Transportation Apprentice in Mcmurdo for the 2009-2010 summer season. My biggest goals in life are just to travel the world and I am VERY excited about going to Antarctica, everything I have heard sounds amazing. I found this website while trying to find all I could on Antarctica. So anything anyone has to say about what I can expect or any stories about your experiences in Antarctica would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Zak

[Alan]

Greetings from McMurdo. What's your deployment date?

[Zak]

The estimated date is October 3rd. Haven't received the actual ticket yet so it's not set in stone. But early October for sure. What's McMurdo like right now?

[Alan]

Right now it's dark, windy, and warm. We're starting to see a little sunlight coming over the hills around 1 PM.

Yup, a blistering hot 9 degrees Fahrenheit today - a virtual heat wave. But it's been a little windy of late - not bad, really, but not calm either.

Morale-wise, some folks are getting a little antsy after being isolated so long, but there's enough of us here it isn't really that bad. Well, for me, anyway. Some people take it hard, and are ready to leave. It's less than a month to WINFLY! Freshies!

Anyway, it looks like we might have a little overlap, if you arrive on schedule (which is hardly assured). So far, I've heard I might be leaving on October 9th, but I've also offered to stay longer . . . so we'll see. Be sure to say Hey if you get here before I leave.

[Zak]

Wow 9 degrees that sounds pretty warm you might need to go take a dip in the ocean, and a little sun I'm sure is nice. That reminds me In October will there be a few hours of darkness because I would really like to be able to see the stars from there.

I will definitely come say hi if you're still there when I arrive. What is your job down there?

[flighter]

One pretty good resource to check current weather conditions and short-term weather forecast is wunderground.

It's VERY cold right now.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by Zak

Wow 9 degrees that sounds pretty warm you might need to go take a dip in the ocean, and a little sun I'm sure is nice. That reminds me In October will there be a few hours of darkness because I would really like to be able to see the stars from there.

I will definitely come say hi if you're still there when I arrive. What is your job down there?

Don't bet on seeing any stars in October. The sun will occasionally dip below the horizon in early October, but not far enough for the stars to come out. I think. When I was down here in October 2007, I was always asleep in the early hours, so I'm not absolutely sure, but I doubt it.

As for taking a dip in the ocean - the Kiwis held a polar plunge about a week ago, but that's no small feat. It takes them a couple days to chip out enough ice to get to the water.

And I'm an electrician.


See you in October.