There wasn’t a whole lot happening at the South Pole station last week, which gave time for IceCube’s winterovers to realize their “dark” days are quickly coming to an end. Soon the moon will be out for a while, and shortly after that astronomical twilight will begin. Meanwhile, remember the “Climb to Mt. Everest” challenge, started back in May? The winterovers finally completed the 600 ascents (descents) of the beer can that constitute the equivalent height of Mount Everest. Great job!
Otherwise last week, while the station was looking forward to upcoming events (Polympics and Christmas in July), the winterovers reminisced about the past (again) and another popular McMurdo activity they were able take part in earlier in the season—the Cape Armitage trail. It’s a hiking trail that is only open during brief periods in the summer because it goes out over sea ice, making things potentially more precarious. The black flags mark crevasses, areas to avoid. The route starts from McMurdo and loops out over the ice shelf toward Scott Base before returning via Observation Hill.
