Every summer we have a traverse that brings us fuel and supplies. They are a group of vehicles that travel a great distance over a "road" in Antarctica. Our first traverse left November 3, and arrived at South Pole December 3. The traverse travels between 8-12 mph, and the workers drive 14-16 hours a day. They left McMurdo with 120,000 gallons of fuel, and plan to offload 15,000 gallons to us. Although this isn't very much fuel for us, we are just a stop over for them. The traverse will be continuing to East Antarctica, on the high plateau to AGAP, where they will offload nearly 50,000 gallons in a fuel cache.
The second traverse will be here in about 3 weeks, and they will offload significantly more fuel.
I walked out to meet them upon arrival!! The bladders hold 3,000 gallons each, and are just pulled across Antarctica on the sleds you see. Some of their bigger trailers are living/eating quarters.
Just a webstite from the internet:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Pole_Traverse
This is an insanely fascinating post! I would love to know some more about it, if you have the time.
ReplyDeleteWhat are the sleds carrying the bladders made of? Are they just dragged across the continent like that? (its so cool looking!)
You mentioned 15,000 for pole and 50,000 for AGAP, where are the rest of the 120,000 gallons slated for?
What is the cache at AGAP made of? Is it a ginormous container, several small containers, a big scary hoele in the ground.....?
How long does the traverse take, round trip? Are there multiple tractors? How many people are on the traverse team?
Thanks for sharing so many interesting factors of your life down there!
That's quite a job. It would definelty take a certain kind of person to do this job in addition to being at Anarctica. I commend them.
ReplyDeleteVery cool, I love coming on here and keeping up with your adventures!! Can't wait to hear all about it in person :)
ReplyDeleteCan I have one of those tractors? I could think of a million things to do with those things:)!! That traverse crew must be a very critical part of that operation out their, I would not want to imagine what could happen if they got stuck or broke for days somewhere, need any good mechanics?... step aside "Ice road truckers" now these guys are the real deal!!!What you are experiencing is so amazing! 100% worth it! Can’t wait for you next post! Keep safe –Marlon.
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