Toklat, Denali National Park

Dave, Kelly, Wendy and I are fortunate to have friends working at Toklat for the Park Service. So we drove out to visit them.  A mini-McMurdo reunion of sorts, as many of us have worked a season or more in Antarctica.  A great trip and lots of fun catching up with old friends and meeting new ones.

The sun and shadows on Mt Fellows.

Dave & Kelly admiring the views.

Igloo mountain and Igloo creek, a favorite of mine.

If you look very carefully you may see a speck of white, a Dall sheep.

Sable Pass, a popular area for grizzly bears.

Amazing views at every turn. This is looking back east from Sable Pass.

The road over Polychrome pass.

Colorful rock formations gave this pass its name.

Sometimes called Poison pass, as one drop will kill you.

Scary, 'cause it's a long way down.

But beautiful, just the same.

Kelly, Dave, Monica and Wendy at Toklat.

Dave, Monica and Wendy

 checking out the bus schedule.

The Toklat river.

Divide Mountain.

Stacey and Bobby checking out the truck.

Dave, Kelly, Marty, Wendy and Anna in the kitchen.

Dave, Kelly, Monica, Marty, Wendy, Georg and Anna.

Georg and Anna are from Austria and awesome folks. 

The rest of us are Antarctica alumni.

Monica and Wendy at Stony Hill.

Luxury accommodations at Toklat.

By that I mean real beds and running water.

The hill to the west of Toklat.

Fireweed along the Park road.

Igloo mountain.

Lunch at Igloo.

Igloo creek.

The trail to Igloo mountain.

The Sanctuary River.

Antarctica

Antarctica – The Dream

Ever since I was a kid and picked up my first book of the continents, and saw Antarctica way down south at the bottom of the world, I’ve dreamed of going there. Antarctica is remote, cold, dry and barren. With so many friends working there (many I know from my time in Alaska) I decided it was time to check it out.  I have accepted a contract position with Raytheon Polar Services to work as a Shuttle Driver at McMurdo Station from October 2011 to February 2012. Raytheon Polar Services Company (RPSC) provides the logistical support for the United States Antarctic Program (USAP) . The USAP is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) with the goal of supporting the Antarctic Treaty and furthering scientific research.

Where is McMurdo Station?

McMurdo Station lies on the southern tip of Ross Island, on the shore of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. It is 2,200 miles due south of New Zealand at 77 ° 51 ′ South, 166 ° 40 ′ East.  While the continent of Antarctica is 98% covered with ice, McMurdo Station is built on bare volcanic rock.

Who is at McMurdo?

McMurdo Station is the largest American Base in Antarctica. The population in summer is around 1,200 people with fewer than 200 in winter. McMurdo serves as the logistics base for American operations in Antarctica as well as a science research facility. The station includes an airfield, heliport and harbor, as well as over 100 buildings. While the primary focus of American operations in Antarctica is science, most residents of McMurdo are support staff including cooks, mechanics, carpenters, plumbers, and the like.

What’s The Weather Like?

It’s pretty cold at McMurdo. The average annual temperature is around 2°F, with the average high around 8°F and the average low around -5°F. While I’m there, from October through February, it will be spring and summer. October will be the coldest, with average high temperatures around 4°F, and lows around -10°F. December and January will be the warmest, as it will be summer. Average highs in December are around 31°F and lows around 21°F. Temperatures at McMurdo can rise to 40°F on warm summer days.

Where Will You Live and What Will You Be Doing?

While at McMurdo, I will be living in a dormitory with at least one roommate. Food service is cafeteria style. Housing and food are provided for those working in Antarctica. In the photo above, the four large buildings in the upper left are the dormitories. Below them, toward the center of the photo, is the medical clinic (with the purple/reddish roof). The beige building between the dorms and the clinic is building 155 which houses the cafeteria, offices, etc. I will be transporting people and supplies from the airstrip to various destinations in McMurdo, as well as providing shuttle services within McMurdo. I will be driving a Ford Van, an Airporter van or a Delta.  A Delta is a huge wheeled vehicle made for snow and ice. I will be working 5 twelve-hour shifts or 6 -10 hour shifts per week.  And through the course of my contract, I will work all 3 shifts, a day shift, a swing shift and a night shift.

Why Are You Doing This?

People have asked me if I’m crazy. Maybe I am.  I’ve always wanted to go to Antarctica.  I have been very fortunate to have lived, visited or explored the other six continents, so this will be my seventh and final one.  One more bucket list accomplishment.  But more than that, the chance to see an area of unique beauty and endure a different climate, working with old, and new friends.      I consider myself very lucky. I’m fortunate to have the support of family and friends here at home and be at a place in my life that I can do this. I am excited for the opportunity!