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Modern-day Antarctic Explorer Journeys to South Pole
Refael Klein, a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps), will share his experiences as he spends one year working and...
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En Route to South Pole, Witnessing New Zealand’s Artful Destruction
Art and destruction in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo by Refael Klein) It takes 21 hours of flying to reach Christchurch, New Zealand from Denver, Colorado. That’s a lot of time in a small seat, and...
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What Happened When I Landed in Antarctica
The pressure ridges (ice formations) below Observation Hill, a 754-foot hill adjacent to McMurdo Station in Antarctica. (Photo by Refael Klein) It was early afternoon when our plane, an LC-130 operated...
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My Cramped, Precarious Flight to the South Pole
Cramped conditions inside the main cabin of the LC-130 en route to the South Pole. (Photo by Refael Klein) After a two-hour delay, due to engine troubles, we finally boarded our south-bound flight to...
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How to Avoid Getting Lost While Living at the South Pole
A vast, empty landscape surrounds the Atmospheric Research Observatory (ARO) at the South Pole. The upwind side of the station (left) is the clean air sector. (Photo by Hunter Davis) Cardinal...
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Braving Brutal Cold to Tower Climb at the South Pole
It’s a steep climb from the bottom of the tower to the top. (Photo by Hunter Davis) Yesterday, it was minus 34 Celsius (minus 29 Fahrenheit) and sunny. Winds were low and visibility was perfect. The...
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Exploring South Pole on Cross-Country Skis
Refael Klein returns to the station after a few hours of skiing. The smoke in the sky is exhaust from the station’s power plant. (Photo by Hunter Davis) SOUTH POLE JOURNALRefael Klein is blogging about...
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Readying for Winter, South Pole Station Is Awash in Activity
Approaching the Atmospheric Research Observatory (ARO) at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. (Photo by Hunter Davis) From November until February, the South Pole is awash in activity. With only...
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Working at the South Pole…Not Your Average Day at the Office
The author runs through daily checks on the solar radiation equipment at the Atmospheric Research Observatory (ARO) at the South Pole. (Photo by Hunter Davis) I live in the western wing on the first...
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On Balmy, Below-Zero Day at South Pole, There’s Work to Do
Refael Klein at work on the roof of the Atmospheric Research Observatory (ARO) at the South Pole. (Photo by Hunter Davis) After a month at the South Pole, you begin to adapt to the frigid conditions....
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What Happens to Decades of Human Junk at the South Pole
A recently groomed road between two berms. (Photo by Hunter Davis) The United States has had a permanent presence at the South Pole since 1959. SOUTH POLE JOURNALRefael Klein blogs about his year...
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Runners Attempt 26-mile South Pole Marathon in Sub-Zero Temperatures
The start of the 2016 South Pole Marathon. Six out of the 11 people who competed in the full 26.2 mile course, finished the run. It’s Christmas day 2010. Fifty runners gather at the geographic South...
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South Pole Diary: When Winter Comes, There’s No Escape
A rare sight: two LC-130s at South Pole Station: the plane I “boomeranged” on, and the plane that finally got me to McMurdo. SOUTH POLE JOURNAL Refael Klein blogs about his year working and living at...
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Taking a Hike on a ‘Balmy’ Day in Antarctica
Highs can reach into the mid 40s but the US Antarctic Program still enlists the use of a coast guard icebreaker to clear a path for supply vessels. (Photo by Refael Klein) McMurdo Station sits on the...
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South Pole Diary: In Giant Parkas, Rank Is Less Apparent
The DVs arrive. Distinguished visitors and a few other passengers disembark from their aircraft. Temperatures were warm and the winds were low, making it an ideal day for a visit to Pole. Supporting...
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Stranded Until Spring: Last Flight Leaves South Pole Before Winter Hits
The season’s last LC-130 plane turns toward the runway. It will be eight months until another aircraft lands at the station. (Photo: Tim Ager) It’s the season of long shadows. The ice cap is a maze of...
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South Pole Summer Camp Helps Combat Winter Blues
Refael Klein moves up the steep central overhang. Colored tape marks particular routes, sequences of climbing movements. (Photo by Hunter Davis) Construction on the Amundson-Scott elevated station...
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South Polies Tackle Last-Minute Preps to Survive Brutal Winter
A view of ARO from 29 meters up the Meterological tower, where one of the two inlets for the gas chromatograph is mounted. (Photo by Hunter Davis) The last plane left two weeks ago and everyone is...
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Isolated and Alone, South Pole Workers Face Unexpected Emergencies
During the summer months, the winter fire team works with professional firefighters to hone its fire fighting techniques. From horizon to horizon, in every direction, blue-grey skies descend into a...
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South Pole Diaries: Bracing for Sun to Set for 6 Long Months
Two Polies brave the frigid temperatures to snap a few photos of the sunset. When conditions are as cold as they are at the moment, camera batteries only last a few minutes. (Photo by Kyle Obrock)...
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