An update from Jenny Heinzen, MREA Curriculum Director — See the original announcement for background on Jenny’s mission.
Happy Holidays from the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station!
Hello, MREA Staff, Members, and Students,
It has been an amazing adventure getting to and working at the South Pole. I arrived in Christchurch, New Zealand on December 5, flew to McMurdo Station (Antarctica) a few days later, and arrived at the U.S. South Pole Station on December 14. The flights to McMurdo and Amundsen-Scott were via N.Z. and U.S. military planes, equipped with skis to land on the ice.
I hit the ground ice running and haven’t stopped since. I only had three days to spend with the Master Electrician from “Team A” before the torch was handed to me, and I was honestly a bit overwhelmed by the scope and amount of work to be done – not to mention the very unique environment in which I found myself.
The elevation is 9,300 feet above sea level, but due to the thin atmosphere, the physiological altitude is closer to 10,500 feet. It’s the dryest place on Earth, and each day has been between -14 and -25°F with windchills typically around -35°F.
“Every time I look or go outside, I’m still in complete awe over the flat, white landscape, giant blue sky, and 24 hours of intense sunshine.”
It’s not easy working at the Pole.
Simply getting from Point A to Point B can be exhausting, and there are no hardware stores or supply warehouses for parts, so we work with what we have and rely on each other for ideas and advice. This is the smartest, most dedicated, tenacious, and hardcore group of individuals I have ever met, and they’re from countries all over the world – France, Germany, Italy, the U.K., Denmark, Sweden, Russia, China, Brazil, and New Zealand to name a few.
“I’m learning new things every day, am constantly challenged, but I also equally feel rewarded and proud of the work we’re doing for the IceCube Upgrade.”
There are about 150 people living and working at the station right now. Besides IceCube, there are other projects and labs like the BICEP Telescope, South Pole Telescope, Atmospheric Research Observatory, and the Martin A. Pomerantz Observatory.
There are scientists, physicists, engineers, and tradespeople in every direction, so the variety of personalities and talents are extreme and fascinating. There’s plenty to do once the workday is over. There are groups and clubs, movie rooms, libraries, a craft room, a game room, a music room, an exercise room, a gymnasium, a greenhouse, and even a sauna.
Resourcefulness in the Antarctic: Conservation and Community
For the sake of conservation and sustainability, we’re allowed (2) 2-minute “military” showers and one load of laundry per week. They feed us well (high caloric intake is critical!), and thankfully everyone gets their own small but private dorm room to chill and sleep.
The galley workers fed us a tremendous meal on Christmas Eve, and celebrations ensued with a talent show, live music, karaoke, and dancing. Giant sledding hills and the annual “Race Around the World” (a 2-mile marathon) are Christmas Day traditions. Everyone here works hard and plays hard too.
“It’s been an experience I’ll never forget, and there are still six weeks left!”
Stay Tuned for Updates
INSTRUCTORS
While Jenny is away on leave, our students are in good hands thanks to our instructor network that’s been filling in while Jenny is away. Our 2025 courses are out now! Register for in-person and online courses today!
FOLLOW JENNY’S JOURNEY
Stay tuned for more updates from Jenny on this amazing adventure to the other side of the world!