While writing this (Feb,13 2026) I’ve been here on Ice for 130 days with 11 left until I fly home. It’s been one hell of an adventure and I plan on doing it again. In order to come back I have to go through all the physical qualifications I have already done with a comprehensive physical, blood work, dental exam, background check (because of all the crimes I committed here!!) and the extended security clearance… because that changed too!!
I understand the physical and dental, something may have changed. But the security clearance and background check?! Seems silly. But who am I?
Overall it’s been a great experience. From the first days of not knowing anything to where I stand now with more knowledge and experience. Maintaining a snow runway isn’t an easy task, but I choose to do it again. Weather plays a huge role in its maintenance. When it’s too warm there isn’t much we can do, however we are still expected to do it! This has been my biggest and only frustration here. The leadership (poor leadership) of people in offices back in the states telling us we should be doing a specific thing. For example: to take our 170,000 lbs. weight carts onto the runway when the temperatures are above freezing. The program paid a lot of money for scientists to do a study as to what should be done to properly maintain the runway. But the office chair quarterback that has never played the game apparently knows best. We got a nasty email telling us we all need retrained “immediately” following a storm we recovered from quickly. the plane in question returned to it origin because of a radio problem.
Obviously that ruffled some feathers here, but after the anger came the humor. Like this; not one trained us to begin with. The entire crew is new this season and the handover for my boss was a guy throwing him his pager and getting on a plane. The handover is supposed to be at least six weeks of training for the foreman (my boss). We have been reading the manuals and science papers to learn everything ourselves. So, we have since had a laugh over the person telling us we aren’t doing good enough, that we need to listen to her; the person who has never maintained the ice shelf.
But that’s been the biggest thing; felt like a personal attack. I’ve since been told that that’s common and to not let it get to me. So, I’m not!! (Anymore!)
Once again though, this place is beautiful. I know I’ve said it in almost every post, but DAMN IT’S BEAUTIFUL!! During Antarctic summer the temperatures are perfect. From the high negatives to around freezing. For you normal people 32F down to about -10F. Yes, when I first got here it was -44 and we had that herbie come through, but that was all so awesome to experience. And yes, most of our equipment doesn’t have or barely has heat. But that’s all part of the experience!!
Starting out so very cold and wondering why I came here. To being depressed and wondering why I came here. To exploring and seeing why I came here. The experience the brutal world at the bottom of the earth. To get away from society (I mostly did) and try to rest myself a little. To get a better prospective. To be a better person… which didn’t work! I’m exactly the same person that departed in October, but with new experiences.
Seeing the type of nature here. The angular mountains, the snow, the limited wildlife: penguins, whales, seals, and skua. The lack of vegetation… That’s still a trip. I’m excited to see trees and feel grass and be back in less brutal nature. It’s going to be wild to see the things you all see on the daily: squirrels, birds, deer, etc. Trees, bushes, grass, even dandelions!!
But seeing the seals waddle… yes I know “galumph” (thank you for the correction Ruffles) across the ice. But mostly just lay there sleeping, the penguins waddle and belly slide, but mostly just stand there, and the whales trying to find and eat both of them! The skua flying above trying to find something to eat. I do wonder what they eat! Without research I assume they are scavenger birds. I say this because of the “goodwill” we have here called Skua. The place people leave things behind for others to use if they want. Scavengers, even those that come to the Ice!!
I do remember posting the thought about how much we consume when I was trying to think about what I need to bring for my five month stay. In my current recollection: four bars of soap, two bars of shampoo (three next time, I ran our yesterday), two tubes of toothpaste, two tooth brushes, laundry detergent (the stuff here is unscented, gross!), two bottles of tea tree oil, one bottle of antifungal for nails, one tube of antifungal cream. Ya, the shower got me!! I don’t know why they call it “jock itch” when it hurt like hell!!
But things to remember next time: more thin socks, less thick ones. A top for my water bottle so I can drink while moving in a machine and not splash all over myself! Noise cancelling headphones (over the ear). Boot dryer. Less work clothes and more fun clothes. Better laptop! God knows what else!
I did pretty good guessing on the toiletries, but some of the other things were a little more difficult to figure out without the experience. Nothing life threatening just creature comforts. AND it’s difficult to plan with no guidance. Hopefully I remember all the things I want to do different on the next go around.
Bottom line; I’ll be home so soon. I can’t wait to see all the people that I haven’t seen in all these months. Most of the people anyway!! I am excited to get moved into a new place and start a new life. There are so many new adventures coming even though I am leaving this one for the time being. From the Ice to New Zealand to home! I can’t happen soon enough!
One more random fact: Over enough time snow will polish metal:
Pneuma’s Adventures 
A little baby powder down there will also help prevent that 😜😎
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