Week 4 at the Pole

Tuesday, February 9, 2016 - 11:15am

Fuel tanks at the South Pole
Christian Krueger, IceCube/NSF

Last week, the South Pole traverse finished unloading the supply of fuel it had brought, transferring it all to the tanks on station.  They should be all set for winter, which is long at the South Pole and is fast approaching.  After a pretty busy week wrapping up various activities, all the IceCube folks working at the Pole departed by the week’s end, except for the two winterovers who, of course, remain for … the winter.  On Friday, entertainment at the station included some ping pong challenges.  The prize?  It’s in the fine print: “Your choice: free root canal, or earrings made from YOUR OWN wisdom teeth!!”  The challenger? Bob the dentist. 

IceCube staff at work
Christian Krueger, IceCube/NSF

Two workers inside the IceCube Lab
Matt Kauer, IceCube/NSF

Folks walking toward plane, departing South Pole
Christian Krueger, IceCube/NSF

Departing person salutes camera, plane on ground in background
Christian Krueger, IceCube/NSF

Sign taped to wall about ping pong contest
Christian Krueger, IceCube/NSF