From Middle Earth to the End

Getting around in Antarctica is an amplified version of transportation elsewhere. So get in touch with your inner little boy to read about Big planes, Big Buses, Big Trucks, and Big Cars.

 

Planes:

 

We flew down out of New Zealand in an Italian Plane, run by South Africans, to an American Base. Did you get all that? Just goes to show the international cooperation that Antarctica demands.

 

 

 

Here is what you might encounter on the pilgrimage to the Ice.  The seats faced forward but that’s about the only thing similar to a normal flight.  One has the joy of being cramped in the seat with ECW gear and bags shoved on the side flowing over on to your lap. You’ll have to wear all your Extreme Cold Weather gear on the plane so you are ready when you land, also just incase you crash it might keep you warm in the water…..But as soon as you can everyone strips off their clothes because the heat is unbearable. You try and get as comfortable as possible or the 8 hour flight can be horrible. Hungry? Great, we’ve got a brown paper bag filled with a soggy sandwich and the last piece of fresh fruit you’ll have in a long time. There is a vegetarian option for those herbivores. However, you better not gulp it down too quickly because if the plane boomerangs and has to turn back, the flight could be an extra 4 hours. So pace yourself, its best not to eat it before “the point of no return”. Need to use the toilet? Got that sorted out too, there is a bucket and a curtain at the front of the plane. One works as quickly as they can in a shaky plane and prays that they closed the curtain all the way. If you are as lucky as we were, you will also have to maneuver between the feet of the overweight man sleeping directly in front of the curtain. He acts a guard dog if you will.  I might also add the sound of the engines is deafening and they supply you with mandatory ear plugs. Conversations consisted of pencil and paper. If flying to Antarctica doesn’t sound like something for you, reconsider for the view is amazing. Even getting time to look out the little port windows can be a bit of a brawl. If you wait patiently, you can head up to the flight deck and check out the amazing 180 views on a clear day. Flying over Victoria Land was spectacular.

On the way back, we had the joys of flying in a Hercules C-130. Everyone says it’s “part of the experience”. This joyous ride was a bit more comfortable (seriously). The seats were bars with webbing placed along the sides of the metal hull. The bags were strapped down in the center and used for beds. This flight was also 9 hours long. Apparently there are faster planes that only take 5 or 6 hours. I’m still flabbergasted by the fact that one can get to such a different place without flying off in a rocket for light years.

 

Trucks:

 

 

 

 

 

With the extreme temperatures all trucks need to be plugged in when you put them to bed. This is so the diesel fuel doesn’t freeze. Several trucks are used to get up to Arrival Heights(science lab) and shuttle between McMurdo and Scott base 3km apart. There is also a gravel road which two feet work perfectly well on. Below is the shuttle cruisin down the streets of McTown(McMurdo), watch the 3rd step on this guy, its a dozy!

 

 

 

Your cars in Antarctica are toned down tankers. They are composed to two compartments jointed together. While a Hagglund can weight one ton, the weight is distributed so that your own footprint has a heavier weight impact.  The most amazing thing about them is that they can swim underwater and float. There are trap doors located all around if the worst should happen. They have been known to tip. You feel a bit like a child again sitting in the back of the Hagglund, since the biggest safely rule is to wait until the door is opened for you. This is incase the driver should stop, not know that you got out and drive off. The rides in the Hagglunds were always bumpy, not far off from a rollercoaster. Yet somehow it was viewed as a time to relax, enjoy a little nap or write in your journal. Looking back I have no idea how this was accomplished but the scribble marks in my journal remind me of its truth.

 

 

 

Skidoo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Helicopter

 

It costs 3,500 NZ$ an hour to operate a helicopter in Antarctica. This by far is the most expensive means of transportation, used mostly by government funded scientists (I’m waiting my turn).  We saw quite a few of them take off and stared like children outside a candy store who didn’t have any money.