12-19-2022 Where do the Researchers Live?

If you are going to do research in Antarctica, you cannot just check into the nearest hotel. It is several thousand miles away.  One researcher told us they lived in a small tent (like you would take backpacking) for the 3 months they were here.  They also had a 3-sided shelter, about 20’ by 20’ for their work station.

 The more permanent stations had buildings.  We   visited one of these that was no longer in use.  It had   3 rooms.  The first room had a table on the left and   the “kitchen” on the right.  Cooking was done on a   one burner camp stove.  Walking into the next room   (no doors), the “office” was on the right with storage   on the left with boxes labeled Man Food and Dog   Foods.  The last room had triple bunks on each side.

The kitchen

 

The bunk room

   At the same site there was an emergency hut with supplies for anyone who was stranded.  We were not allowed into it, since it was for emergencies only.  Huts like this are scattered over Antarctica.

We "landed" a few feet out from shore, rolled over the side of the Zodiac and walked a few feet in shallow water to get to the shore.  The Viking crew cut steeps in the snow so we could get to the top and see the hut.