Week 4 at the Pole

Tuesday, February 7, 2017 - 10:30am

Group posing outside before departure from South Pole
IceCube/NSF

Doesn’t it sometimes seem that folks at the South Pole are always smiling?  Well, for many, getting to spend time at the Pole—extremely cold temperatures notwithstanding—is the dream of a lifetime.  Still, this group shot above shows summer crew about to leave for warmer climes.  Maybe that’s why they’re smiling.  Below, you might not be able to discern a mouth, but you can immediately tell that there’s a smile on the face peeking out from the polar bear costume.  That’s Kate Miller, a teacher visiting through the PolarTREC program, wrapping up her trip with some dress-up fun—generating false animal sightings (you’ll find no actual polar bears or penguins at the South Pole).

Posing in polar bear costume at the ceremonial South Pole
Martin Wolf, IceCube/NSF

In penguin costume, sliding on ice, belly down.
Martin Wolf, IceCube/NSF