I am currently wintering over at Palmer Station. The smallest station in the USAP (US Antarctic Program)
Ask Away.
Dark down there, isn’t it?
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Why?
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First time? How long will you be there?
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What were you most surprised by/least expected/not prepared for (if anything)?
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What’s the worst thing (besides the cold) about the experience?
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What’s the best thing about the experience?
We are not below the arctic circle but it is dark. Winter solstice just happened last week.
Great for viewing Iridium flares. We saw a nice double this morning.
How often do you go outside?
I don’t have any specific questions at the moment but I am interested in hearing more about how things are set up there and what kind of daily routine you and the others there have. What is the product selection like at stores? Okay I guess I did have a specific question.
ETA: Do any kids live there with their parents or is it all adults? What is the housing like?
Often. Multiple times a day. I only avoid the outdoors when it is blowing over 50 knots. I still go outside I have to to get to different buildings I just go out less.
How cold is it there? Are you cut off physically from other stations during the winter? Is there a medical clinic? Do you get news or mail? What kind of bandwidth do you have to the outside? What’s the food like? What are you actually doing there?
What sort of work are you doing?
How’d you get the job?
Did you bring plenty to read, and if so, what?
How many other people do you see in a typical day?
Do you feel pretty well-connected to the outside world?
Stay warm, and thank you for this thread, and for your service!
Do you get tired of talking about the weather?
Do you talk about the weather?
Happy Independence Day, as I believe you are American.
Regards,
Shodan
is ice cream a popular dessert item?
you sure are below the Arctic Circle.
[Chris Knight] How’s it feel to be frozen?! [/CK]
I am fascinated by this…I spent time in the High Arctic, and there is always a remote (ha!) chance I could go to Alert, but this is so interesting…
Anything you’d like to add to the Wiki article?: Palmer Station - Wikipedia
I got busy. I will respond later tonight.
Do you have time to answer all these questions?
How are your colleagues enjoying the cuisine? (ISTR you are a chef, right?)
Are you a movie buff? My bud who wintered over a couple of times had a scary encyclopedic knowledge of movies.
Which direction do the toilets flush?
Have you urinated your name in the snow yet?