# Ask the guy in Antarctica **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 4, 2013, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638 "2013-07-04T15:16:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Silence\_Lenore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@Silence\_Lenore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silence_Lenore)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2013, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/21 "2013-07-04T22:22:53Z")
What is done with the human waste? Is it incinerated? ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/22 "2013-07-05T01:22:45Z")
Tell me you have a pet penguin. Even if you don’t have one, just say you do. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/23 "2013-07-05T01:30:10Z")
What’s the psychological effect of being so isolated, the danger, the white snowy expanses, the cold and (I presume) staying in a lot with limited activities? Have Norwegians tried to warn you about anything? ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/24 "2013-07-05T02:23:10Z")
To continue that thought: Do you tie people to the couch when they pet Norwegian dogs? Serious one: What’s the biggest temp diff you’ve experienced? Do they really do that 200 degree going from the sauna to outside thing? ---
**Author:** ![Kiwi\_Fruit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kiwi_fruit/32/12_2.png) [@Kiwi\_Fruit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiwi_Fruit)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/25 "2013-07-05T02:27:04Z")
Do you have a Dr. [Sander Halvorson](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0905372/?ref_=sr_2) on the staff there? (It’s a joke, son!) Seriously, I worked at Scott Base, Ross Island for 3 years in the mid 80’s and early 90’s, wintering over and all. [The Thing](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084787/?ref_=sr_1) (1982 version) was played quite a few times on our VCR. ---
**Author:** ![fifty-six](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@fifty-six](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fifty-six)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/26 "2013-07-05T04:18:07Z")
> [@turtlescanfly](#): > > 1. Why? > > 2. First time? How long will you be there? > > 3. What were you most surprised by/least expected/not prepared for (if anything)? > > 4. What’s the worst thing (besides the cold) about the experience? > > 5. What’s the best thing about the experience? 1. I do not know if you are asking a fake question. The dramatic side wants to answer like Phillipe Petit. “When I see three oranges, I juggle; when I see two towers, I walk.” I hitchhiked to Alaska on a whim. I always wanted t go. Antarctica seemed cool so I went. 2. It is my first time and I have no idea how long I will be here. I just got offered an extension till late October. I have a signed contract for McMurdo already. And have been offered a permeate position here. 3. I was told by many how amazing and special this camp was before I got here, and I was lucky to get to go, it is better than expected. 4. The other day a thought came to me, the worst thing was not being able to pee outside freely. 5. The relationships. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/27 "2013-07-05T04:24:48Z")
Do you use freezers to store food in the kitchen, or just stick it outside? ---
**Author:** ![fifty-six](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@fifty-six](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fifty-six)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/28 "2013-07-05T04:33:52Z")
> [@Blackberry](#): > > 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? Well, the daily routine is some what normal for a work camp. Everyone has their duties and preforms them in a professional manner regardless of you are a scientists or a carpenter. The store selection is minimal. Mostly hard liquor at this point as we have run out of beer. I am guessing there is less than 4 cases total spread about peoples rooms and or hidden till late September. But plenty of hard stuff and a fair bit of wine. There are also souvenir type goods, patches, shirts, pins and the like. We also carry personal toiletries and such. The store is small. There are no children here. I believe only the Chilean and or possibly the Argentinian camps have ever had kids present. The housing is way above average for a work camp. This winter we all have a room to our own, the summers are usually 2 two a room with a desk, chair and two of everything else. And often a large research vessel docked up housing others. It is comfortable enough. Single bunk beds. Snoring and smells are close. ---
**Author:** ![fifty-six](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@fifty-six](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fifty-six)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/29 "2013-07-05T04:47:40Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > 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? It is much more mild here than you would expect. As of now. The winds can be severe. There is basically no contact with other stations. although several weeks ago our boat helped a person from Rothera station (British) a stable evac get of the ice. All stations help each other if possible or in the area. Direct communication even with other US stations is minimal. We are very far away from the other US stations. We get essentially no mail. Only flat rate envelopes kthe boat is coming. And it better be in Denver weeks before the boat departs Chile. It goes in what we call the Silver trunk. We have what could be considered our own language here. Many an acronyms and words that take weeks to pick up on. Our bandwidth is essentially the same as a home high speed broadband connection. but shared with the entire population and scientific research. During the day there is priorities at night all available sights are equal. I am a food service supervisor. I am doing some of my best work ever. I am highly regarded and have been offered some significant advancement and opportunities since i have been here. ---
**Author:** ![installLSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/54ee81/32.png) [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/30 "2013-07-05T04:58:43Z")
Have you heard from any of the longtime residents stories about people who died (or nearly so) from the weather? What kind of guidelines do workers have to follow to make sure they have minimal risk from dying of exposure? ---
**Author:** ![fifty-six](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@fifty-six](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fifty-six)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/31 "2013-07-05T04:58:52Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > Is there a medical clinic? Do you get news or mail? We have a doctor on station and a full clinic. I have not been in there but I understand it is well quipped and one of the guys that just left the boat was here for inspection and repair of medical equipment. There is a print out of some NYT headlines or excerpts we get. It is a government thing several are printed out and stapled and lying on the tables every day. I never look at them. After sever remote camps I never really read the news anymore. on or of the ice or were ever I may be, it is depressing and or far away. ---
**Author:** ![fifty-six](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@fifty-six](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fifty-six)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/32 "2013-07-05T05:08:41Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > 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! I have a thread on the job offer and subsequent hoops I had to jump through. [I just got offered a job in Antarctica.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=685789) I brought a few books. Hoosh for one. I am the cook, I see everyone, everyday. I dont give a shit about the outside world outside of my family. I feel very connected to them. I will actually get a service medal. ---
**Author:** ![fifty-six](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@fifty-six](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fifty-six)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/33 "2013-07-05T05:11:44Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > 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 No, we hardly mention it unless it is nice or severely windy. The winds over 40 knots get comments on the regular. We had a great Independence Day. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![fifty-six](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@fifty-six](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fifty-six)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/34 "2013-07-05T05:17:36Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > is ice cream a popular dessert item? Yes. Defiantly. We are however out of vanilla. I am dead tired and do not feel coherent. I hope i am not making a mess of this thread. Fuck, even so it will give you a realistic look at my condition. I will be back at it sometime later. We have a large cerebration tomorrow so I am not sure if I will catch up before the weekend. My replies will be more constructed then anyhow. Until them ask away. I get a 2 days off this weekend. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/35 "2013-07-05T13:16:45Z")
What time zone are you using? [sub]So we know when best to send our questions… 😃 [/sub] ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/36 "2013-07-05T14:35:32Z")
Cold enough for ya? Seriously, how are the Southern Lights? ---
**Author:** ![Samantha\_Leigh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Samantha\_Leigh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Samantha_Leigh)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/37 "2013-07-05T18:12:13Z")
I would like to know what food you make for everyone and in what quantity. How many folks do you cook for? ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/38 "2013-07-05T18:21:29Z")
> [@fifty-six](#): > > Yes. Defiantly. We are however out of vanilla. You show that cold weather who’s boss! Don’t let it take the pleasure out of ice cream! Remain defiant! ---
**Author:** ![turtlescanfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@turtlescanfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/turtlescanfly)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/39 "2013-07-05T18:44:29Z")
> [@fifty-six](#): > > 1. I do not know if you are asking a fake question. The dramatic side wants to answer like Phillipe Petit. “When I see three oranges, I juggle; when I see two towers, I walk.” > I hitchhiked to Alaska on a whim. I always wanted t go. > Antarctica seemed cool so I went. Not meant to be snarky or fake at all… I simply meant why are you there. You answered below that you are the cook. Good enough. How did you hear of that opportunity? ---
**Author:** ![meek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce73a5/32.png) [@meek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/meek)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/40 "2013-07-05T19:13:11Z")
It that you in the top of [this](http://www.palmerstation.com/palmerpr1.jpg) picture? Also - thats a cool Orca logo on the fuel tank. Take Care . [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638.md?page=3)