Layers Upon Layers

Throughout the upcoming blog postings, you will find what I am calling Antarctica Up Close. This will be a photograph of something found during my travels taken from a very close perspective. See if you can figure out what the picture is. At the end of the blog entry, there will be a zoomed out view of the same object along with a description and explanation. Here we go. This is the first picture. What do you think it might be? The answer will be at the end.

Antarctica Up Close

Right before leaving for Antarctica, Washington D.C. temperatures dipped down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. My friend Mary texted me saying that she felt like she was experiencing Antarctic weather here in Virginia. Little did Mary know that McMurdo Station was actually 15 degrees warmer than D.C. during this temporary arctic blast affecting the mid latitude states.

My personal backpack blends right in with the issued duffle bags. 

December and January bring the Antarctic summer season. The stations are filled with activity as the the entire community takes advantage of the nightless days and relatively mild weather. The difference of course is that these days of 30 and 40 degree weather mark McMurdo's highs, and as the record holding continent, the lows are significantly lower. Coldest temperature ever directly recorded on planet Earth occurred at Vostok Station (about 800 miles from the geographic south pole). On that balmy July day in 1982, the temperature dropped to -128.6 degrees Fahrenheit. While not the record holder for fastest wind speed, Antarctic coastal areas routinely experience the extreme Katabatic Winds. This type of wind results from cold air masses in high locations slumping into lower areas. This difference in air mass densities can result in wind speeds reaching 185 mph. These extreme temperatures and wind speeds mean that the use of Extreme Cold Weather (ECW) gear is essential for all visitors.

All the issued ECW laid out.

The clothing is issued to each traveler out of the Christchurch CDC (Clothing Distribution Center - not to be confused with the Center for Disease Control). You are given two orange canvas bags filled with bulky, cumbersome clothing made from mostly synthetic materials. The key to staying warm in the world's harshest climate is staying dry. The way to stay dry is to wear layers. Layers are add when cold and stripped off when warm. The base layer is polypropylene long underwear, sock liners, and glove liners. The mid layer consists of a fleece jacket and pants (two different weights to mix and match depending on the weather). And the iconic outer layer includes black wind pants and an oversized goose down filled red parka affectionately named Big Red. The outfit is accessorized with hat, mittens, balaclava, neck gaiter, and goggles.

Lastly, there is the footwear which is the subject of this posting’s Antarctica Up Close picture. The standard issued boots are Extreme Cold Vapor Barrier Boots, but are more commonly and affectionately referred to as Bunny Boots. They are awkward, unwieldy, white, rubber boots designed in the 1960's that are unbelievably warm. The secret to the warmth retention is in the pocket of air between two layers of felt and rubber. The Antarctica Up Close picture shows a bunny boot cut in half to reveal the insulated air bubble. Since the boot is filled with air, and pressure changes when you fly, there is a valve connecting to each of the chambers. While airborne, the valve is opened to prevent damaging the boots. After landing, the valve is then closed.

Antarctica Up Close Answer

Stylish? My teenage students may argue otherwise, but I am definitely sporting the appropriate Antarctic dress code. And so, I am packed and ready to head south. My fingers are crossed for good weather . . . at least until we safely land. After that, I have my ECW for whatever weather conditions Antarctica throws at us.