Week 27 at the Pole

Group photo of South Pole Polympics participants, one holding up US flag.
Thomas Leps, NSF

Last week at the Pole it was still “first work, then play.” The “work” entailed more or less routine monthly maintenance tasks and reporting. The “play,” on the other hand, was anything but routine. Last week marked the end of the Polympics, although the Antarctic Games extended for another week. At the Pole, there were lots of fun and interesting events. A notable one was standing in place on a unicycle without falling. The winner made it to 25 minutes. IceCube’s winterovers participated in a number of other events. Moreno’s volleyball team finished second, and Celas finished first in one of the CrossFit events. Celas also participated in the curling competition—take a look at their curling rocks (ice!).

Person crouched down in hallway with curling rock, bystanders around.
Wenceslas Marie-Sainte, IceCube/NSF
Close-up of several curling rocks made of ice.
Wenceslas Marie-Sainte, IceCube/NSF
Close-up of two curling rocks made of ice, one broken.
Wenceslas Marie-Sainte, IceCube/NSF