Mid-winter Solstice is a symbolic event, highlighting the point at which the sun is furthest from the South Pole and the shortest duration of sunshine experienced in the year. Whether celebrating locally, at home, or amongst peers and colleagues on station, Mid-winter Solstice holds meaning, tradition, and a feeling of rejoicing as the sun remains in the sky for longer each day.
At Casey Station, in the peak of winter, we experience two hours of sunlight per day, a short window to expose your face to the rising sun and absorb Vitamin D. This is, of course, if the weather allows and the sun is not blocked by cloud, snow, or a blizzard occurring. A truly unique experience where you can pop inside only to return outside and it's dark.
Mid-winters on station is no exception to tracking the sun's movements. All on station eagerly await the return of our burning ball of gas, bringing heat, light, and ultimately energy to the environment, continent, and people. The station reflects with a moment of pause on this special day to celebrate our achievements on station and the sacrifice endured wintering in Antarctica.
During the months of winter, the continent of Antarctica becomes inaccessible by air or sea. For those that winter in Antarctica, we truly only have each other around us – a continent twice the size of Australia with just over 1,000 expeditioners who call it home through winter.
This connection to the continent and those we share it with extends greater than acknowledgment. Mid-winter enables us to reach out and share experiences with stations and nationalities across the whole continent. During periods of isolation, it brings feelings of relief that we are not alone and others encounter as we do.
Celebrations on station include a midday toast while observing the sun at the peak of the day. We were fortunate to raise a glass outside albeit our coldest day yet, -29°C with -49°C wind chill – a reminder of the environment around us. Memorabilia and historic artifacts were displayed through the red shed to showcase those who wintered before us. While exposed to the elements and artifacts, you can’t help but think of how times have changed from clothing to equipment and what it must have been like all those years ago. While the weather hasn’t necessarily changed, we are thankful improvements to technology, infrastructure, plant, and equipment have improved and are more versatile and robust.
We live and work together as family all year, riding the highs and the lows. Being isolated and confined due to winter presents a multitude of physical challenges but also mental challenges that some may face. Handling and coping with these unseen challenges are a common ground we all share and that we speak of often on station. Mid-winter is an opportunity to reflect on the support that we have for each other and, most importantly, our amazing family at home who are awaiting our return. It’s easy to forget at face value that everyone has someone back home, taking the time to recognize this and reflect that we are all human and a part of the experience together. While we sacrifice home life, creature comforts, sport, music, and entertainment while on station, it’s our family who sacrifice more by allowing us to partake in this experience. Returning home safe is a priority for all those on station so we can be reunited with loved ones.
Wrapping up the mid-winter celebrations, those who are adventurous enough partake in the mid-winter swim. Dating back generations, expeditioners bear as much skin as they prefer and submerge themselves in the Antarctic waters. A little more planning is involved than a quick trip to the local beach or swimming hole as the ocean is completely frozen and must be cut prior to any swimming occurring. Cutting this sea ice is a challenge in itself and a demanding task for those involved being exposed to the elements. The swim is an adrenaline-filled day with temperatures -20°C ambient and -2°C in the water. A true highlight moment for many on station.
All of the station are excited to have been present for such a milestone event, humbled to experience winter solstice in such a unique location, and all of us are ecstatic to be reunited with family, most likely at a warm sandy beach, no doubt doused in sunscreen.
Tony May – SMS Casey Station
