common misconceptions

There are a number of misconceptions about Antarctica that people frequently make reference to:

1. Antarctica is home to the North Pole and I will get to meet Santa and his elves.
In fact, Antarctica is at the bottom at the earth; think South Pole (the Arctic is at the top). I will actually be situated on Ross Island, connected to the mainland by a permanent ice shelf. It is quite some distance to the South Pole from McMurdo Station. And, as for Santa, I've never been a believer anyway.

2. It never gets above freezing.
Actually (because of the southern hemisphere locale), it will be summer when I'm there. Roughly 2 weeks after I arrive, the sun will be up 24 hours a day. Temperatures will warm to an average summer temp of around 20F.

3. There are polar bears in Antarctica.
The truth is, polar bears are Arctic creatures. As far as wildlife goes, I will likely see very little. Seals and birds are more common, whereas, penguins and whales are much more ellusive. Other than that, I'll be happy to see grass.

4. There are native people who live on The Ice (ie. Inuit People, or Eskimos). Again, this native population find their home in the Arctic. The only folks who are on this continent are researchers and their support staff. No human civilization has ever been known to inhabit Antarctica permanenntly. However, there are 26 nations with research stations all over the continent and the ever-ebbing-and-receding population of Antarctica ranges from 1,000 total in the winter to 4,000 in the summer (CIA World Factbook).

5. Antarctica is entirely covered by snow and ice.
I'm sure you will note from my pictures, once I'm there, that a tremendous amount of terra shows through at McMurdo Station; particularly when the ice begins to melt.