December mornings on the continent of Antarctica bring brilliant sunshine and temperatures as high as -25 degrees.However, the weather can be punctuated by gale-force winds with an eyelid-freezing wind chill factor that howl over a glacier that is two miles deep and spreads as far as the eye can see in all directions.The South Pole may well be home to the earth’s most ungracious, relentless environment.

The permanent station located here, is likely one of the most isolated places a scientist can be, and operating this U.S. scientific outpost, is also one of the most essential jobs a scientist can have.At once time, no one but officially sanctioned research scientists and their support staff were allowed at the South Pole.But this has evolved with the charter flights of wealthy tourists and thrill-seekers starting to arrive on the cold horizon.Cruises to Antarctica

Granted, there is not much to see but snow and ice.You won’t see so much as a penguin the whole time you’re there.However, there are people who long to visit the Pole just to have this rare experience and be able to say that they were that and that they did that.

Those who are conducting important research are often amazed at the thought that tourism could start to grow and expand at the South Pole, but that idea cannot be denied, especially when all the signs of “progress” are there.While researchers are busy working during the season, uninvited guests will often arrive.You can’t exactly tell them to turn around and go home.

Antarctica belongs to no one and everyone. 43 nation agreement states that scientific research can be done as well as other exploration expeditions but that does not include exploitation of the land.The United States has 3 research facilities that are open year round, even when the South Pole reaches the height of winter and it is pitch black.The unwritten law of the Ice mandates that its crew help anybody who can get to 90 degrees south latitude, whether invited or not.antarctic cruise reviews

It is important to understand that visits to this land are not promoted due to the fact that most visitors have very little knowledge about the region and fail to realize they are at an altitude of 10,000 feet.Visitors usually will arrive cold, dehydrated and experiencing altitude sickness.

In 1975, the original thirty-three man complement of the dome began.Today two hundred men and women clutter into every possible bed.”Summer Camp” is the name that has been given to the bunkhouses assembled of plywood, plastic, and canvas, that cover the glacier.

Summer Camp has an unlimited fresh water supply, like many of them do.Showers and toilets that flush can be rarities, since it takes $12 a gallon to get the fuel to melt the ice with.To use the communal bathroom you have to make a trek that is both slippery and teeth-rattling, even when the sun is shining bright at 3 a.m.

Military escorts were assigned to Antarctica’s first female researchers.Treated as equals by co-workers, one-third of the summer’s work force is all women.There is a toll that has to be paid to the Pole.

According to the studies, it takes three times longer for workers to finish a simple task in the extreme cold.This is because the brain’s chemistry reduces the hormones you need for problem solving and increases those needed for physical activity.In the months of winter, conditions become more arduous.

In mid-February, the final aircraft takes off and heads north.Staying behind during the winter is a crew of 28. It is not until October that the sun shines again and the airplanes return.

Tags: Antarctica, Antarctica Granted, South Pole, Summer Camp

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