Antarctica; it's about the people.
I have a friend, the first person I told that I was coming to Antarctica. Amid the excited congratulations there was one question that stood out. And it was one that was repeated throughout the intervening weeks, as I told my family. I lost count of the number of times that I was asked it as I was packing up my home, in North Queensland to come and start training in Hobart. The question was, why? Why knowingly choose to come to the coldest, most remote place on earth.
The answer was always the same, some vague words about adventure, seeing something that so few people have seen, experiencing isolation, and cold. But the truth was, I wasn’t quite sure myself. I wasn’t quite sure why I had this itch, this desire to spend a year down south. So, I came with no expectations and a mind full of wonder. And now, nine months in, the thing that I came for is apparent, and completely unexpected. It’s the people. The people that you meet in this unique, crazy year.
There are 33 of us here at Casey station for the winter. And for the last nine months we have lived and worked together. Settled into routines and know how to read each other’s moods and when people aren’t feeling completely themselves. I know Nick gets up before me in the morning (a pretty tough thing to do), and Matt isn’t too far behind, it’s my favourite part of the day, bringing him in the harvest. I know that Arno has a spot to study, and Alexis has a spot to stretch. I know Benny will be throwing darts in the bar of an afternoon, and Harrison, Radar and Blinky will be in there as well. Trying not to eat biscuits and failing (not as much as I do). I know Noel will ask how much water the hydroponics set up has used today, (answer not much, if you’re reading this Noel). I know Dan won’t speed up his walking speed for anyone, and Mick is usually about four steps in front of him at all times. I know Mitch makes his way straight to the coffee machine in the morning.
I know Penny and Coops try to get off station as often as they can, and that Paul makes a mean chocolate pudding. I know Stix greets me the same way, every morning and that I can expect a random funny message from Josh. I know if I ever have to be rescued, I want Alex to do it, and Dieso Dave, my neighbour, is incredibly patient. He has to deal with me being awake at 5am every morning. I know Ron doesn’t get stressed about anything. Andy gets dressed up for station meetings, and if you can’t find Larko, chances are he’s in the Skid steer. I’m positive Sean knows every song ever written, and when Az gets into the workshop first, you can hear his music all over station.
I know that Chippy Dave can climb a hill faster than anyone on planet earth.
I know on Saturday mornings Goody will be in the lower wallow, playing music, and that James will talk for hours on the rise of AI. I know I’ve never laughed harder than when I was on a trip with Danny.
I know Tom is the most intelligent person when it comes to Comms stuff, and I’m so lucky that he is here for winter. The station would be in big strife if I were the only comms tech.
I know Charlotte was only meant to stay for summer, and it was the best day I had here when she said she was staying for winter.
And I know Justine looks over it all, deals with my overenthusiasm, laughs easily and can’t walk past a puzzle without doing a few pieces. And Cliffy, I could write a book on Cliffy, one of the first people I met in Hobart, and I’m so glad of that.
Then there’s me, overenthusiastic and full of energy, the happiest person on the continent
I know all of this, and I know that I wouldn’t want to spend a year with another group of people. I know they are the most intelligent, compassionate, and helpful group of people that I have ever had the privilege of meeting.
I miss that friend terribly, I miss my dog, and watching the sun come up over the beach. I miss my family, but I know somehow here I’ve found something. Something that not so many people get to experience. An incredible place, with incredible people, at the bottom of the world. Shackleton wrote that Antarctica is a land of colours, and it is. It’s more than just snow and ice. The sunrises and sunsets take your breath away, and the landscapes stop you in your tracks daily. That is what draws you down here, but the people will keep you coming back. They’ll keep me coming back, that’s for sure.
If you are thinking of applying, put in the application, come with no expectation, and you’ll be blown away. By the beauty of this stark place, by the fact that you’re at the end of the earth. But more than anything, by the people, that make this place what it is.
Michael
…and to those of us on station Michael is our Comms Tech, Mayor of Bowen, Hydro extraordinaire, novelist, cake maker, fryer-cook, sous chef, story teller, mast climber, after-hours plumber, designated driver, catch & kill wrangler, positive vibes bringer, flag guy, 5am cleaner, SAR team member, fireman, blizz line put-upperer, FRIEND TO ALL.
