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Exploring Antarctica

Posted by michael on from the don't-forget-your-mittens dept.

dargaud writes "There will soon be some firsts on the high Antarctic plateau: after getting 150km from it last year a Chinese expedition plans on reaching Dome A, the highest part of the Antarctic ice sheet (4200m), farthest to reach and coldest place on Earth, untrodden yet. Then in a few months the French-Italian station of Concordia at Dome C (3200m) will open year-round for its first winter-over, of which I will be part. The location of these ice domes make them great for atmospheric physics, glaciology, astronomy and more. Big projects are getting interested in Antarctica again, just in time for the International Polar Year of 2007, 50 years after the first one."

4 of 195 comments (clear)

  1. The devil called... by garcia · · Score: 5, Funny

    Women have always been a rare and strange breed in Antarctica. Most often there aren't any. During my winter over, women were just some kind of remote and hazy memory. In 2000, a woman did winter over for the first time in Dumont d'Urville, although they have been doing so for a long time in American and Australian stations.

    A lot of people seemed to be in a contest for the most original New Year's 2000: from flying the Concorde around the globe to changing the time zone of some Pacific islands... I have to say that ours was quite original: a bunch of scientists, technicians, mechanics all stuck together, getting drunk and dancing with the three available women.

    Almost everybody is worthless the first two days: the high altitude combined with the cold and extreme dryness makes for some awful first nights. And hangovers are worse here too: 2 beers are enough to get you hungover in the morning.

    So let me get this straight... You are in the coldest area on earth at high altitude with nearly no women and you get hung over from two beers and you return to this place multiple times in your lifetime? This poor guy is one sick fuck but at least his beer stays cold.

    Personally, I'll let them see "the new sun" first and I'll stick to the sloppy seconds, at least it's warmed up by then.

  2. Sorry, I can't resist by jayhawk88 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Explorer: You've got to start charging more than a dollar a bag. We lost two men on this expedition!

    Apu: If you can think of a better way to get ice, I'd like to hear it!

  3. Think of the possibilities by xThinkx · · Score: 5, Funny

    "coldest area on earth at high altitude with nearly no women"

    Now you've done it, hardocp will soon establish a city of overclocking enthusiasts there.

    --
    Let's get one thing perfectly clear, I did not vote for George W Bush, and I do not endorse what he does or says.
    "
  4. Already started in 15th century! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Any one care to explain how a 15th century map details the coastline of Antartica (WITHOUT glaciers) when it wasn't mapped out until the 1960?!s

    Piri Re Maps

    --
    There are a million miracles happening everday.
    But the skeptic is the only fool who won't even believe just one.
    Miracles don't have to be grandiose,
    for even a smile to help someone else feel better is one.