# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/41 "2013-07-05T19:55:34Z")
> [@fifty-six](#): > > …I will actually get a service medal. This one?: [Antarctica Service Medal - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antarctic_Service_Medal) > [@fifty-six](#): > > …We had a great Independence Day. Thank you. How did you mark the occasion, in as much detail as you’d like to share, please? Many thanks again, and keep yourself warm. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/42 "2013-07-05T20:01:55Z")
> [@fifty-six](#): > > Yes. Defiantly. We are however out of vanilla. > > … You’re out of vanilla, and that’s why you’re being defiant about it? ;)😛 ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/43 "2013-07-05T21:42:14Z")
You have a cool job. I’ve always been interested in going there, I thought I might get a chance when I started to get involved in scientific balloons but got sidetracked… How many people are overwintering there? Are they mostly maintenance & support, or is there an active science program throughout the year? Wikipedia says Palmer Station is re-supplied by the _Laurence M. Gould_. Does it make a number of trips to/from Palmer throughout summer? How many months a year are you cut off from transport & supplies? Do you have control over what food get shipped there? If so, what would you do differently next year (besides more vanilla ice cream)? Is there high turnover for overwinter staff, or are most people there seasoned veterans? ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/44 "2013-07-05T22:34:22Z")
What’s the warmest that it gets where you are? ---
**Author:** ![Svejk\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Svejk\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Svejk_1)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/45 "2013-07-05T22:59:42Z")
> [@fifty-six](#): > > We are not below the arctic circle but it is dark. Winter solstice just happened last week. > [@johnpost](#): > > you sure are below the Arctic Circle. Huh. You’d think the OP would know where he was. Let’s see what he says exactly: > [@fifty-six](#): > > I am currently wintering over at Palmer Station. The smallest station in the USAP (US Antarctic Program) Ah right. Let’s [wiki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmer_Station) that. [QUOTE=wikipedia] Palmer Station, on Anvers Island, is the only United States research station in Antarctica located north of the Antarctic Circle. [/QUOTE] Now trying to decide between a :rolleyes: and a :smack:. I’ll get back to you. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2013, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/46 "2013-07-05T23:25:25Z")
What’s it like to be walking around upside down all the time? ---
**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, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/47 "2013-07-05T23:43:37Z")
> [@Svejk\_1](#): > > Huh. You’d think the OP would know where he was. Let’s see what he says exactly: > > Ah right. Let’s [wiki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmer_Station) that. > > Now trying to decide between a :rolleyes: and a :smack:. I’ll get back to you. But it is below the _Arctic_ circle. ---
**Author:** ![ataraxy22](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ataraxy22/32/307_2.png) [@ataraxy22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ataraxy22)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2013, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/48 "2013-07-06T01:03:37Z")
My ex-girlfriend has a close friend who worked in Antarctica for multiple seasons, and was stationed at Palmer for awhile, though not sure if he overwintered there. I think the detached way you could approach the news from the rest of the world would be really exhilarating. In a lot of ways, you might as well be living in a base on the Moon. ---
**Author:** ![Svejk\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Svejk\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Svejk_1)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2013, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/49 "2013-07-06T04:24:18Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > But it is below the _Arctic_ circle. Oops. Lesson Learned. Still deciding … ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2013, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/50 "2013-07-06T06:56:16Z")
How do you deal with this heatwave? (Sorry, has that joke been beaten to death yet?) What sort of entertainment do you guys have? How’s the internet access? Do American DVDs work on Antarctic DVD players? ---
**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 6, 2013, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/51 "2013-07-06T20:56:46Z")
Hey, I am back. Well rested and better able to answer some questions. I thought I would have some time when I first posted but it did not happen. We have been extremely busy the last several weeks. Multiple large parties and preparing for the Gould to leave. We are now down to 22 people until late September. It has calmed. > [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Anything you’d like to add to the Wiki article?: [Palmer Station - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmer_Station) It says Palmer Station can accommodate is 46 people. I am quite certain the number is 44. In addition though the Gould sometimes is docked here for weeks on end. Some staff occasionally live on the boat and work at the Station. > [@For You](#): > > Do you have time to answer all these questions? > > How are your colleagues enjoying the cuisine? (ISTR you are a chef, right?) I can answer them now. I am doing some of my best work ever. I am thrilled to be here and it shows in my attitude and work. My bosses in Denver are impressed by reviews coming down from their bosses. I have created a buzz and have been offered a permanent position and a contract extension. I am also doing fun interesting projects like making spun sugar roses and other exciting types of food art plus have coordinated several large events and parties. There is a girl here that has created a game with me. She challenges me to make something she deems impossible and them I make it. Part of the game is that I wont let her eat it. I give it to others. I will be making Cheetos this weekend. > [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > Are you a movie buff? My bud who wintered over a couple of times had a scary encyclopedic knowledge of movies. I am not a movie buff but several people here watch about 3 a day. And more on the weekends. > [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Which direction do the toilets flush? I think mostly down. > [@toofs](#): > > Have you urinated your name in the snow yet? Unfortunately peeing in the snow is discouraged. > [@Silence\_Lenore](#): > > What is done with the human waste? Is it incinerated? Our sewage is processed and treated. I am told we could drink the results but we dont do that. The treated water is sent to the ocean. All garbage is sorted and sent out on boat. Some to Chile some clear back to the US. You all might find this interesting. In the gally and scullery we have red metal lidded buckets we call chicken buckets. it is for poultry products and kitchen gloves and anything that will not grind down the industrial food grinder we call the baby grinder. You see we grind all food waste and pump it out to see but not poultry products as the possibility of bird flu or some such virus or bacteria spreading to the penguins. Gloves can not go into general waste because if Chile sees them they will classify the garbage as medical waste and not take it. Lets see. we have general waste, tin cans, aluminum cans, glass, broken glass, general waste, chicken bucket, medical waste and that is about all I know. I do now the other departments have many other classifications of waste. > [@Zebra](#): > > Tell me you have a pet penguin. Even if you don’t have one, just say you do. Mine ran off with her friends when winter came. > [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > 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? It is really hard to say it has a different effect on everyone. we do have plenty of activities so that is not really a problem. but I can already see some folks getting toasty. Cold is really just not a factor. Dark may be for some. choosing drinking as your only activity many be a danger. I wont say to much but there has already been a calamity and another one ripening. I will get back with you in a month or so and report on the “progress” of a few individuals. Yes but we usually just ignore them. > [@NoClueBoy](#): > > 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? Of course. We do not have large temp swings but It can go from calm to 60 knots in a very short period of time. The sauna thing is at Pole. We have a sauna and a hot tub it is no big deal to get out of it in the wind or cold. ---
**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 6, 2013, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/52 "2013-07-06T21:34:29Z")
> [@Kiwi\_Fruit](#): > > 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. Yeah, we watch it here as well. > [@installLSC](#): > > 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? Exposure is not such a big deal at this station. but we do have caches along all of the boating routs that are regularly maintained and in case one of the zodiack gets stuck and can not return to the station. > [@Sunspace](#): > > What time zone are you using? > > [sub]So we know when best to send our questions… 😃 [/sub] East Coast. > [@LawMonkey](#): > > Cold enough for ya? Seriously, how are the Southern Lights? I have only seen them briefly the other day. I expect to see some good shows soon. The Iridium flares are super cool. > [@Samantha\_Leigh](#): > > I would like to know what food you make for everyone and in what quantity. How many folks do you cook for? I was cooking for about 50 for my first month I am now down to 22. During the winter the crew is on their own for breakfast. At 10 am I make a brunch. cut fruit if I have it, oatmeal or grits, bacon, some type of egg dish, french toast or pancakes, a nice tea loaf, cookies and somethign else like scones or whatever I feel like. At noon is lunch. I make 2 soups and usually some bean, two entrees and a veg. plus baked goods and fresh baked bread. I make most of my condiments. Dinner is a wide variety of things. I make a dessert and two entrees and all sorts of accoutrements. > [@turtlescanfly](#): > > 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? Oh, I responded poorly no worries. I always wanted to go so over the years I followed the hiring companies. When I decided to go I just applies and about 3 weeks later I was here. I have another thread titled I just got offered a job in Antarctica. there is more information there. > [@meek](#): > > 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 > . That is not me. I dont know how old the photo is but it is not current. We still have the orca image but the tanks are painted black. ---
**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 6, 2013, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/53 "2013-07-06T21:44:40Z")
I am from Alaska the Arctic circle is a commonly used term back home. I often mistakenly use it instead of Antarctic. Most of us here love maps that put Antarctica on the top. I will restate it in a different more correct way so that we can move on to another grammar error or some other convention I have fouled up. The sun does rise in the winter as we are not within the Antarctic or Arctic circle circle. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2013, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/54 "2013-07-06T22:56:13Z")
> [@fifty-six](#): > > I am the cook, I see everyone, everyday. Do you see any differences in what people want to eat? (A friend who was there (she skied across the ice to the South pole) said that they became so hungry for high-fat food that “we would have eaten _lard sandwiches_ with no hesitation.”) Was this because of her exposure & high level of physical exertion, or do you see such cravings in diners there? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2013, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/55 "2013-07-07T02:11:18Z")
See post 41. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2013, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/56 "2013-07-07T03:13:19Z")
Do you have to do all the dishes as well or do the residents clean up after themselves? ---
**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 7, 2013, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/57 "2013-07-07T03:33:07Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > Do you have to do all the dishes as well or do the residents clean up after themselves? The residents do a very large amount of the clean up. Several times a day there is a duty called GASH (Gally and Scullery Help) Two mini gashes and one large one after dinner. The mini gash is after breakfast and lunch usually just one person helping with dishes and some light clean up and restocking of coffee milks and such. After dinner it is usually 3-4 people doing a much more significant clean. Everyone washes their own plate and cup. Once a week we have a major clean up of the entire station.We call it house mouse. The name is a hold over from when there was a connection to the Argentinian Antarctic program. They would send one person to do all the cleaning duties and were called the mousa if selected for the Palmer job it would be in liew of Argentinians required military service. If I understand properly it was a highly sought after position and usually awarded to a privileged family. That was only for the first few years of the station. Everyone draws duties from a hat and we clean for 2 hours. It does not matter if you are a doctor or the station manager everyone must do Gash and House Mouse. There are also a few extra duty cleaning jobs that are purely volunteer based. the sigh up sheets are often full. throughout the day someone will come by and just help out of duty or kindness. Ant it is common for someone to want to help cook or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2013, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/58 "2013-07-07T13:12:21Z")
I’m assuming you don’t get frequent resupply in the winter - how and where do you store the food? How do you (or whoever does the job) determine what to buy and how much? ---
**Author:** ![Hedda\_Rosa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hedda_rosa/32/1204_2.png) [@Hedda\_Rosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hedda_Rosa)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/59 "2013-07-08T03:13:02Z")
Where does your drinkng and cooking water come from? How about water for cleaning? ---
**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 9, 2013, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638/60 "2013-07-09T03:17:34Z")
I will answer again soon. I get very busy here and I am less able respond like I though after the boat left. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-in-antarctica/662638.md?page=4)