subject: Scheduling Everything From Calls To Showers [print this page] One woman has always attested to her dislike for cold weather but still she managed to travel to Antarctica on two separate occasions even if she was the least likely person expected to embark on such a trip. This woman is interested for a third trip to the continent. The lady says that she knew it was the coldest continent on earth. She just thought that she wanted to be one of the few people that would ever see something like this.
It was in the year 1988 when she became part of a support crew for scientists 825 miles from the South Pole at the McMurdo Station on the Ross Ice Shelf. They called her a general field assistant, but today that will make her a go for. When she was preparing for the trip she had to read Survival in Antarctica written by the National Science Foundation. Immunizations and an extensive physical exam were also necessary for her to have. Much value is given to such things for no medical treatment is accessible there.
Any medical needs would require the government to fly you out of the location via helicopter which may cause harm to others not to mention cost loads of money. Once in Antarctica, she had to go through an outdoor survival school. She learned to recognize a crevasse field and to build a sleeping shelter in case she got caught outside away from the base.
Using a covered path the bathroom with four lavatories and two showers were led on from the tent. Only a two minute shower a week is permitted for personnel as what was said on a sign. Only flush when it is needed. Without any other order this stands. That station may catch fire and when it does they could be prepared. In spite of the sub zero temperatures, equipment ran continuously so there were many mechanical breakdowns, especially at the water plant.
In this case, water reserves are needed much more. Not only did they ensure a water supply for cooking but one for drinking as well. Any other requests for water like for toilets, showers, and doing the laundry are not entertained.
A phone call to relatives is not as easily done by the personnel. Even calls make use of a waiting list so that calls can be put through if the weather is good enough to let the air waves pass through. When it comes to communication, ham radio operators are part of it.
Weather that was extremely cold was the worst inconvenience they had to deal with over there. Lasting from October through December was the summer that can measure at a temperature of 32 degrees. As January arrives, temperatures will change again. Wind chills and the like were recorded in her diaries.
Working in pairs is often dictated by the weather. It can also interfere with outdoor travel. This is forbidden in extremely harsh weather conditions. She learned a lot about herself from the isolation. It also changed her. Such a swaggering person was this woman before the Antarctica trip. It has made her realize that she needs help from other people. Such a realization gave her much peace.
Out of the ordinary is what the continent is. Being able to walk on a continent where only a few if not zero people have been to before is rather remarkable. Man has stepped foot in almost every destination. Man has gone to the rivers, mountains, and even in the timber.
