Week 41 at the Pole

Monday, October 24, 2016 - 10:30am

Basler plane landed at the South Pole
Christian Krueger, IceCube/NSF

Last week at the Pole, the first two planes of the season arrived (and then departed again—both had short stays).  They were small planes, but still, any plane landing at the Pole these days is an exciting event after the long, dark, quiet winter.  Soon the first Herc will arrive, and with it some long-awaited “freshies,” as they call the fruits and vegetables that most of us take for granted year round.  Also last week, in anticipation of the their stays ending, the folks at the station had a leftovers party, to reduce their winter hoards of treats, and began packing up belongings to be shipped home ahead of their own departures.  IceCube winterovers took advantage of some relatively warm weather to perform IceTop measurements.  Looks like the “warm” weather was also appreciated for the barbecue held at week’s end.

Departing airplane over the South Pole
Christian Krueger, IceCube/NSF

South Pole station leftovers party
Mack van Rossem, IceCube/NSF

Luggage and boxes lining hallway of South Pole station
Mack van Rossem, IceCube/NSF

Outdoor bbq at the South Pole
Mack van Rossem, IceCube/NSF