SOUTH POLE STATION, ANTARCTICA-- In November 2008, Todd Carmichael set out on a quest to become the first American to ski from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole solo and unassisted. The South Pole was 600 nautical miles away. Just several miles into the journey, his ski bindings broke. He continued on foot...

SOUTH POLE STATION, ANTARCTICA-- On December 16, I flew to the South Pole. To get to the pole, we fly on specially outfitted LC-130 Hercules cargo planes which are operated by the New York Air National Guard. These planes have skis on them so they can land on the ice runway...

SOUTH POLE STATION, ANTARCTICA-- Before I left McMurdo, I got a tour of the pressure ridges near Scott Base (the New Zealand station very close to McMurdo). The pressure ridges are formed by tidal forces...

SOUTH POLE STATION, ANTARCTICA-- On December 12/13, I did the Antarctic survival training course, also called "Happy Camper." This course is a prerequisite for going off-base on unguided tours...

SOUTH POLE STATION, ANTARCTICA-- The day I arrived at McMurdo I ran into Ron Hipschman and John Weller. They told me they were going to go to the "Penguin Ranch" the next day, and I got permission to go with them. I was very lucky!...

SOUTH POLE STATION, ANTARCTICA-- En route to Antarctica, I spent three days in Christchurch. The weather was nice - a few of the IceCubers played croquet next to the Botanical gardens. On Dec 9 we were scheduled to take a South African Hercules to McMurdo but ended up...

MADISON, WISCONSIN-- I received my plane ticket to go to New Zealand yesterday, so it looks like I am really going to Antarctica...