The Journey
On Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 my journey to Antarctica begins.
I leave home for Denver, with a stop in Chicago Wednesday afternoon. I will be in Denver until Friday, October 9th when I fly to Los Angeles. Late Friday evening, I board a flight to Sydney, Australia. I arrive in Sydney on the morning of Sunday, October 11, but only remain for an hour or so. Later that morning, I fly to Christchurch, New Zealand. On Tuesday, October 13th, I fly to my final destination: McMurdo Station, Antarctica.
McMurdo Station
Located at 77°51′ South, 166°40′ East, McMurdo Station is the largest of three United States research stations in Antarctica. McMurdo lies on the southern tip of Ross Island, 2415 miles south of Christchurch, New Zealand and 850 miles north of the South Pole. It is the point farthest south a ship can sail. McMurdo serves as the primary logistics base for United States operations on Antarctica; 90% of United States Antarctic Program participants are either stationed at McMurdo, or pass through on their way to the South Pole. During the summer season (October through February) up to 1,100 people are at McMurdo. The winter population is closer to 150. The average annual temperature at McMurdo is 0°F (-18°C) and the average wind speed is around 12 knots (13.8mph). I’ll be there in summer, so it will be coldest when I arrive in mid-October and warmest in December and January.
McMurdo Fire Communications
I will be working in the communications office of the McMurdo Fire Department as a Fire/EMS dispatcher. With a summer population of as many as 1,100 people and around 100 building on the base, McMurdo has a full-time fire department that also provides emergency medical services. In addition to fire/EMS duties, the McMurdo Fire Department also provides stand-by services for aircraft operations and refueling. The fire house is the brown building with the white stripes, just to the lower left of the building with the pinkish roof in the middle of the photo below:
McMurdo Station
Antarctica is cold, distant and remote. I’m not sure what this says about my personality, but I’m drawn to it. Let’s see where it leads…
Congratulations! You’ve waited and now its paid off. I’m excited for you and proud of you and Sue for the sacrifices you’ll make in the next 5 months. Have a safe and wonderful time.
You sounded excited on the phone, excited for you. And jealous, although I wouldn’t be caught dead there. Maybe I would go? Can’t believe you didn’t ask me! Selfish!!
Congratulations! You and Sue look so happy in this new adventure of yours. When I first opened this, I got a chill just looking at the picture and thinking, Scott will be there. What an opportunity. I hope you have a safe and rewarding trip.
Best wishes and safe journey. Can’t wait to follow along on your adventure.
All I can say is Wow!! Amazing!! Wishing you a safe and wonderful adventure. !!! I find your trip so fascinating & I am excited to follow you on your journey online. Enjoy!! Take lots of photos!! God Bless!!
The Adventure Begins!
Godspeed and our best wishes go with you. Have a safe journey and keep us posted on your adventures way south of the equator.
Good luck!
Just getting there sounds like a feat! This is so amazing, Scott. We can’t wait to hear all the details and if it’s really true that it’s a “dry cold.”
Scott,
Enjoy your amazing adventure, make Les Stroud proud.
Hi Scott,
Thinking about you and hoping your trip is going well. Can’t wait to hear all the details – I’ll be checking in on a regular basis. Be safe and best of luck to you!!
Thank you all for the comments and emails. Tomorrow is my scheduled ice flight. Things should get a bit more interesting around here.
The pictures and comments are truly you. I enjoyed them so much I laughed and laughed. Hope you are enjoying your stay as much as I am enjoying reading about it. Take care.
Truly sounds like the adventure of a lifetime! Can’t wait to hear the rest of your story! Enjoy!
I NEED a picture of an Antarctic fire engine! And everything else exciting! Have a wonderful and safe adventure. How strange that Kelly lives in Ireland and you live in Antarctica. I live such a boring life here in Wantagh.
Hi Scott,
So happy to hear that you arrived safe and sound. The pictures are wonderful and how excited you look in them. This is truly a dream come true for you. You take care and I’ll be in touch and keep us posted – I love reading your blogs.