We Are The Fire Department

McMurdo is home to the Antarctic Fire Department (AFD). Up to a few dozen firefighters live and work here on contracts ranging from 3 to 13 months keeping people safe and putting out fires (usually small ones!) when they arise.However, there is no fire department at...

Around Town

Left behind everything I knewAll the colors but bone white and sky blue-The Weepies In a ‘typical’ year, those bound for the South Pole would only stay in McMurdo for a few days before continuing south (though I’ve heard tales of weather delaying flights for over 20...

Greetings from Antarctica!

After two bonus days in New Zealand, my trip to the ice went something like this: 4:45 am: Wake up and wait for a call saying the flight has been delayed.5:00 am: No call? Guess today is the day! Better get ready.6:00 am: Board the shuttle heading to the...

Into the unknown

The world is big and I want to get a good look at it before it gets dark. – John Muir And just like that my time in New Zealand has come to an end. While I have thoroughly enjoyed it, I am excited to move on to the next leg of my journey. It is currently looking...

Where did Sunday go?

Reception: “Hi, this is the front desk with a daily amenities call. Is there anything I can get you?” Me: “Hi, thank you, could I get some more of the instant coffee packets?” R: “Of course!” M: “How many can I get?” R: “Oh, you’re pretty early on in your stay so I’ve...

And so it begins…

Waking up at 3:45am on my birthday was not my favorite but it was a small price to pay in order to begin the epic journey that will take me to the South Pole. Two flights later (one with a row to myself for some much-needed naptime!), I arrived in San Francisco and...