Indeed the Amundsen-Scott South Pole station, named after the first two explorers to reach the South Pole (within a month and 3 days of each other) is home to over 200 summertime residents and approximately 50 wintertime residents. It is a large multilevel structure built on hydraulic lifts so that every few years the entire building can be raised 6" at a time. This is to prevent the building from being covered by blowing snow, which was the fate of the previous South Pole station which had to be abandoned, and then dismantled. During the winter temperatures can plummet to as low as -70 C (-100 F) with gale force winds. The elevation at the South Pole is 9301 feet, but because the atmosphere is slightly thinner in the higher latitudes it feels closer to 11,000 feet. That's high enough to make you huff and puff while walking from the pole to the station.
There are actually two "poles" at the South Pole. The "Ceremonial South Pole" is the where most people take pictures... it is the famous red and white striped barber pole with a reflective globe top. A couple meters away lies the "Geographic South Pole", precisely at 90 degrees south. This is a small bronze marker that is designed annually by the people who "winter over" at the base. Thus each year's marker is different.
The temperature today was a cool -30 or -35 C and the skies were clear and sunny. "Not so bad" said Charles, "Except for the hand that is holding the satellite phone."
We'll keep you posted as their adventure continues in the balmier climate of the Oasis, and time permitting, the emperor penguin colony of Queen Maud Land. Check back tomorrow for another update from the ice!
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