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Three days later we were still not quite ready with the runway. One more day and we will be!! The storm was indeed a doozy. Some actual snow accumulation but mostly wind and wind and wind. Gusts were over 70 MPH with sustained winds from 30-50 MPH for most of the storm.

Some of the drifts around “town” (the airfield buildings) are about 10 feet tall with most of them at least four to five feet tall and 100’ long. Moving that amount snow is a process in itself.

But first, we had to get the equipment dug out and cleaned out by hand before it can be started and used. It took one day and all hands on deck for that. The machines out at the airfield were almost completely buried.

After they are exposed, the engines need to be cleaned out as well. The snow has the amazing ability to get into the engine compartment and pack in every nook and cranny. It builds up around the pulleys, belts, and fan. Starting the engine will break the belts or fan.

A couple guys found that out prematurely starting a dozer. That  machine is inoperable until that belt can be replaced. Here, if the part is not on hand it can take weeks to months to years to get a part.

Then there are the inevitable equipment failures. Diesels and hydraulic systems do not like to operate in the cold. Hoses break, engines have issues, air filters clog with snow, etc.  Normally a single block heater is used for a diesel in the cold. Here most machines have a block heater, battery blanket, transmission, and hydraulic heater.

On the first day of cleanup three of three tractors failed. On the second day, two of two failed. On day three one of two failed. That one  was down and stuck in place for two days before maintenance could get it running again.

Four days after the storm and we are almost ready for a plane to land… almost. We have had flights scheduled and cancelled all week due to weather and runway maintenance.

After a few days we were ready to have a plane land and fly back North again. And that flight was a success. Cargo and about 120 people arrived. About 300 more people are still waiting to come to the Ice.

It took about four complete passes with the “goose” a makeshift pull behind grader, the groomers also makeshift leveling implements, and the weight cart. It’s a heavy SOB used to compact the surface to support the heavy aircraft that fly in and out. 270,000 pounds to be exact.

The snow was thick in spots and stripped off the ice in others. It’s our goal to have as level and consistent a surface as possible.

Testing is done on a frequent basis to ensure the planes can safely land. Thankfully, this isn’t in my work description!! My boss, also brand new to this job has to learn everything we have to do. Plus all the testing and reporting! Sucks to suck!!

But, overall it’s still a great experience being here. Learning new equipment, new skills, and making new acquaintances. So far I haven’t meet anyone I want to hang out with. My roommates are a different story, we sleep together after all!!

In the same room, not the same bed, you sicko!!

It is interesting though; the sun is on the northern horizon, and I forget that daily!! I keep saying the wrong directions for our runway it runs north-south. I keep thinking the end away from the sun is the north end. 

The sun currently still sets, but super late. For example tonight 10/19/25 sunset is at 11:55PM and sunrise is at 3:33AM. If vegetation grew here, they’d be growing like crazy… until the seasonal shift. Where it’s more dark than light until total darkness. Then it’d die!!

It’s daylight from before I wake up until after I go to bed. It is beneficial that we don’t have windows in our room. It’s almost completely dark. A bit of light from under the door is usually all. Unless we leave the television on. Each room has a television to let us know weather conditions. It also has a few military movie channels. I haven’t watched, but it sounds like terrible!! I only watch the weather, people, and the process for the job. At some point I’ll watch a little bit of wildlife; seals and penguins!! I’m excited for some better photos. What I have now are just black blobs on the ice. Looks like a long oval rock! But they are seals! I swear.

That weather I mentioned, is apparently on its way. According to our on site meteorologists, it’s going to be a doozy.

Before the storm we had to move all our equipment from the airfield to our shop. That means driving the machines ten (give or take) miles. We groomed the road as we drive back to the transition. I understand bringing the equipment in, but the groomers, I’m not sure why! Maybe they get less buried at the transition than they would out near the airfield. It took about an hour to get to the transition, the place where the ice and land meet. We dropped the groomers there and brought the tractors to our shop.

I’m excited for this storm. It’s called a “herbie”, combination hurricane and snow storm. The winds are supposed to get into the 70’s MPH with sustained winds in the 50 MPH range. Looks like we won’t be working for a day or two. Then, after the storm, a mad dash to get the runway and road ready for the next flights… which are also going to be delayed due to this storm. But yes, excited for it!!

After the storm we have to make sure there’s no packed snow around moving engine parts; the fan, belts, drive shafts, etc. Apparently the snow gets itself everywhere during a storm.

But it’s Tuesday. The storm rolled in Monday afternoon. It’s supposed to last until the end of today, maybe into Wednesday. We are currently in a Condition 1. Which means we stay inside our buildings. I’m lucky and my dorm is attached to the galley, so I have food. For those in other buildings that didn’t plan ahead, hope they have made friends that’ll share!

The wind is blowing the snow so much so that visibility is less than 100’. From what I’ve been told it doesn’t technically snow here, we are in a desert. The snow blows in and drifts. I can’t wait to see how much work will need to be done after the storm. As I’ve said, we have several flights that were delayed previous, and now delayed further with this storm. So getting them here ASAP will be important. 

On a side note, I can send and receive mail. It does take a long time for mail to come through. It’s last priority on the aircraft’s, which is where the delay comes. Letter size mail comes faster than oversized or packages, those can take months to arrive. If you have an interest in my address here, please text me and I’ll respond with my address.

A few quick shots I’ve gotten so far. Some of the breathtaking scenery here. If you have questions please ask!

After days of training there’s still more training. The highlight, I may have a work location, only time will tell. As of now I am learning how to maintain a runway for wheeled aircraft. Not a runway as you’d think; but one that is made of snow and ice. It’s on the “shelf” a section of sea that never melt. I’ve been told the ice is about 100’ thick. We drive heavy equipment on the shelf with no fear of breaking through.

And as a matter of clarification; “ice” is used as a general term for Antarctica. As in “So, you got a job and you’re going to the ice?” The permanent sea ice is called “the shelf”. This place is crazy weird in the different names everything has. A culmination of old terms, military terms, government terms, nicknames… etc.

I am obviously a beginner in this field, but running full force with an open mind to learn what the end product is to be and how to achieve it. The equipment generally used are tractors equipped with tracks. Behind them we pull grooming and leveling implements. What to use and when, I still have no clue!! I will get there at some point.

The runway is two miles long and it takes at least half a day to groom it. It’s a constant maintenance program to keep blowing/drifting snow leveled out before a plane is capable of landing. In general there are two flights a week on this runway, however it may be used by other aircraft if needed. On top of that we have ten miles of road to also maintain in the same regard; packing, scraping, and grooming. These roads drift quite a bit and some drivers can’t seem to stay out of the deep snow. This causes problems with other vehicles. The road is wide, very wide. Probably as wide as a four lane highway wide. It’s used for both machines and vehicles. These roads are marked by flags along one side. Get off the road and you’re stuck!! Apparently this happens often and we, as in my department, have to go rescue these people and vehicles! As the driver, you have to know what mile you’re in so that if a problem occurs you can relay your location. There’s no GPS here, so the less information you can give about your location, the longer it takes to get rescued. In good weather travel is easy. In bad weather, it’s a challenge and the flags are very important. In severe weather, you park and wait until you can see the flags again. I have not experienced this yet, but it’s going to happen!

Simple things we don’t really think about in the real world. But here a pleasant day can turn deadly with little to no warning. When we are out of town (McMurdo) we have emergency survival bags loaded to keep two people alive for three days. Two people that know what they are doing in the cold. Again, I’m a beginner. So, I have much to learn, and my life depends on it. Not trying to sound dramatic, because most of the summer is good weather, unlike winters.

That’s what makes this place a great community. Everyone here knows that at any moment things can go wrong and everyone capable is needed to help. Again, I’m learning, but how things are done here is much greater than American society. More on that later!

But it’s still an amazing place. The landscape is like nothing else I’ve ever seen. A desert of snow and ice with mountains and an active volcano! I’m excited to see how things change over the summer. From looking out across the ocean, currently frozen solid. To looking out over the ocean when it’s melted and moving.

The seals are coming closer and supposedly a few penguins have already been spotted. I’ll keep my eyes out and hope to get a few terrible photos.

We are not allowed to go close to wildlife. Big no no and a great way to get sent home with a large fine. So, I’m not going to attempt!!

Yeppers, Antarctica. The allure of this adventure has been tugging on me for years. I was waiting for a coupe life events to happen, but they didn’t. Rather than finding the freedom to do this life became more complicated in the most awesome way.

I found love. Yes, this is a strange Segway, but I found love. Richard, aka Ruffles has become a part of my life I never thought I’d find. The positive feelings overflow, so much so that some distance will not affect the relationship. With his support and encouragement I started the journey of a lifetime.

Spring of 2025 I applied for a position at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Shortly thereafter I was interviewed and hired, which started the process of getting qualified. This took months of doctor visits, a dentist visit, appointments with specialists, background checks, security clearances… the whole gamut.

One week before I was scheduled to deploy I received word that I was “ticketed” and would be flying out. Exciting news of course and now, I had to prepare and pack to live for six months in Antarctica’s summer climate which can vary from -40° to 40°F. On top of that I can only bring 75lbs. of whatever with. Food, bedding, and extreme cold weather gear are the only things provided. Clothing and toiletries and anything else I cannot live without must be packed and prioritized to be less than 75lbs.

Think of your life; how much of anything do you need for six months? Toothpaste, soap, shampoo… I had no clue. So the guessing game began, and the game continues. Only a few days into this adventure I’m wondering if I brought enough! But I was also maxed out on weight. So, did I pack wrong or right? Only time will tell.

On October 1st, I flew out of Montana to LA. Contuned from there to Auckland, New Zealand. It’s now October 3rd, my first time out of the USA and over the international date line! A long walk through the airport to customs. Through customs, out the international terminal and a 20 minute walk with all my luggage to the domestic terminal. Back through security and then wait. The next flight takes me to Christchurch on the South Island in New Zealand. If you’re wondering, yes, the New Zealand accent is hella sexy!! But they talk way too fast!!

I spent three days in Christchurch to get my extreme cold weather gear, finish up online training and to sight see when I could. Of course the weather was cold and rainy. But not nearly as cold as arrival to Antarctica.

Oct 6th, I wake up before the sun and make my way back to the airport. Cold weather gear is donned, items are repacked then briefing after briefing about the security protocol and process and flight from New Zealand to Antarctica. After hours of waiting we (about 100 of us) make our way to the airfield to board the plane. A C-17, military cargo plane with the most uncomfortable seats. More over; no WiFi, onboard entertainment, no meal service, and barely any heat!! We did have a brown bag lunch though!

But, it’s all part of the adventure. During the 6 hour flight I pondered what was in the conex box in front of me. I could see it was just over 5,000 lbs, so it must have been packed full of something. In the end I came up with nothing!! I also napped and wandered about the plane when I could. 

As we flew south the plane got colder and colder. About an hour from landing I was wondering if I made the right choice. It was downright (below) freezing on the plane. Which was warmer than the moment I stepped out onto the ice.

It was a slap in the face as to how cold it was going to be on the ice. But looking around at the mountains in the distance; the cold was worth it. It’ll take a while to acclimatize, but I know, after wandering around and doing a little sight seeing, I made the right choice coming here.

The ice, snow, volcanic rock, mountains… all breathtaking. Not to mention the cold, takes ones breath away!!

As most of you know I do not have much in the way of internet service here. Therefore, I will post all I can when I can here. If anyone wants an update, please refer them here. I cannot contact everyone individually, so this is my best course of action to keep you all informed. If I have the data allowance I will post photos, because it really is beautiful here.

Pneuma came about in 2020 as a result of loneliness. But he’s developed due to the amazing culture the pup community has. Not everyone will experience this, nor does this pawsitivity exist in all areas. But that’s where Pneuma came from and will continue to exude.

This site was created to keep those who choose in the loop on his life and adventures. So check back on occasion especially over the next few months, while he’s in Antarctica. (Oct 2024-Feb 2025)

As he or his human counterpart can, pages/posts will be made. He will miss you all, but this is the best way to keep in touch. Both pup and human will post!! Ya, ya, it’s all just J, but the illusion is fun.