Journal

Beard? (2)
Mike Penn considering a beard.

UPDATE

Here are a few pictures of the beard in Antarctica. You can tell how cold it is by how frozen my beard is!

Penn Beard
2018 PolarTREC Teacher Mike Penn with a full beard (McMurdo Station).
Penn South Pole
2018 PolarTREC teacher, Mike Penn with protective beard at the South Pole!
Penn Frozen beard
2018 PolarTREC teacher Mike Penn with a frozen mustache near South Pole.

To beard or not to beard. That is the question:
Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous facial hair
Or to take razor against a face of whiskers
And by opposing them. To freeze, my face—

I bet Hamlet never contemplated this.

What do you think? To beard or not to beard?

This may not seem like a big problem to the average student, but lately, this has been something that I’ve been thinking about. Should I grow a beard for my expedition? Should I grow it BEFORE I leave, or while I’m there? So many decisions. I have a good bit of time before I have to make this momentous and extremely important decision.

Beard?
Mike Penn contemplating whether to grow a beard for Antarctica.

I’ve done a bit of research and it seems that American guys are split about 50/50 on having a beard in Antarctica. Some do. Some don't. I did find an internet article from the Australian Antarctic Division titled: Flowing beards and stunted stubble. It is complete with a list of a few dozen “types” of beards and a gallery of photos of the beards at Mawson Station in 2013. (Mawson Station is one of three permanent Australian bases and research outposts in Antarctica.)

I’m going to look to my buddy Keith (who leaves for Antarctica very soon) for my beardly inspiration. Please follow Keith’s expedition (and check out his Antarctic beard) here. https://www.polartrec.com/expeditions/chemical-ecology-of-shallow-water-marine-communities

Details
Author
Mike Penn
Date
Location
My Kitchen
Expedition
Antarctic Automatic Weather Stations 2018
Weather Summary
Cold and dreary
Temperature
35F
Wind Speed
Calm
Wind Chill
35F

View Comments

Comments

Fri, 10/05/2018 - 18:24

Mike Penn

Elise and Brooke, Fake beards may work for you, but I'm going with a real one (it won't fall off!).

Fri, 10/05/2018 - 18:35

Mike Penn

Madison, I will definitely take a picture of my icy beard if that happens!

Mon, 10/29/2018 - 10:42

Drew

Have you ever grown a beard before. If so do it again.

Tue, 10/30/2018 - 10:29

Trent Ackerson

Have you decided to beard or not to beard yet. If not you should grow a mustache!

Tue, 10/30/2018 - 10:32

Austin

How long is your beard right now?

Tue, 10/30/2018 - 10:36

Christopher O'Dell

If you decide you grow your beard, what will you do if you fall in the snow and you took your shower for the week?

Tue, 10/30/2018 - 10:38

Elijah

does the beard keep you warm?

Wed, 10/31/2018 - 05:02

Zenon C.

I think it would be more fun in class being taught by someone who has an amazing beard. I would like you too keep it.

Wed, 10/31/2018 - 06:23

Janet

I love that this journal generates so many responses about facial hair!
So --- it's almost time to go to Antarctica! Hard to believe. What are you most excited about? What are you most nervous about? And, finally, what is your decision about the beard?

Looking forward to your adventures!
Janet

Wed, 10/31/2018 - 07:33

Ella

Why do you want a beard?

Wed, 10/31/2018 - 07:34

Faith

What is your favorite beard type?do you want a pen?

Wed, 10/31/2018 - 07:43

Hunter Braman

Hi this is hunter Braman from

Wed, 10/31/2018 - 07:46

Hunter

This is hunter from Dansville middle school you should grow a beard

Thu, 11/01/2018 - 18:19

Mike Penn

Drew, I grew a beard once...a long time ago. I am growing a beard...it doesn't look very good...yet!

Thu, 11/01/2018 - 18:21

Mike Penn

Trent,I am growing a beard. I started early in October!

Sat, 11/03/2018 - 15:48

Mike Penn

Austin, I've had it for about a month now so it is pretty good. It isn't "Duck Dynasty" or "ZZ Top" length but It will be nice to have on the Ice.

Sat, 11/03/2018 - 15:57

Mike Penn

Christopher, I'm not sure if this will answer your question, but one of the reasons to grow a beard is that water is a precious resource. In order to shave comfortably, you not only need water, but warm water. So having a beard allows men the ability to not have to shave.

Sat, 11/03/2018 - 15:59

Mike Penn

Elijah, Yes, a beard can help to keep me warm. More specifically, it will allow any ice to freeze on my beard and not on my skin. That could protect me from getting frostbite.

Sat, 11/03/2018 - 16:06

Mike Penn

Zenon, I'm not sure that my beard will ever be "amazing." And, I'm sorry to inform you, but I'll most likely shave it off BEFORE I get back to school after the Christmas break. It is rather itchy and uncomfortable. Having been in the Army makes me not like what seems to me to look unkempt. It is going as soon as I can do it!

Sat, 11/03/2018 - 16:10

Mike Penn

Janet, I'll answer this question in a journal this weekend!

Sat, 11/03/2018 - 16:15

Mike Penn

Ella, There are two reasons to grow a beard. One reason to grow a beard is so that I don't have to be concerned with shaving. The other reason is that a beard will protect my face. It will allow ice to form on my beard and not directly on my face.

Mon, 11/05/2018 - 10:11

Austin

Cool I hope you end up liking it.

Wed, 11/14/2018 - 10:26

Drew Frantz

Mr.Penn, when you came hear I saw the beard. Very happy you decided to grow one.

Wed, 11/14/2018 - 10:35

burke

like the globe .

what are the marks for on the globe?

Wed, 11/14/2018 - 10:36

Dylan

Hey its Dylan form Dansville middle school glad you decided to keep your face warm and grow a beard.

Wed, 11/14/2018 - 10:36

Dylan

Hey its Dylan form Dansville middle school glad you decided to keep your face warm and grow a beard.

Wed, 04/18/2018 - 04:53

Judy Fahnestock

I'm so glad to see that you are contemplating these very important questions well before you deploy! We'll be waiting and watching for further updates on this 'hair-raising' subject.

Wed, 04/18/2018 - 05:50

Mike Penn

Judy, There is so much to think about! Amid calculating the change over time of Automatic Weather Station coordinates due to ice shelf drift, attending antarctic meteorological conferences, and waiting for clarification by logistical service providers...deciding to grow a beard is near the top of the list of important issues!

Thu, 11/15/2018 - 07:40

Guest

you look younger with a beard

Thu, 11/15/2018 - 07:43

gwendalyn rockwell

what is your favorite type of beard style.

Thu, 04/19/2018 - 11:26

SarahB

I think this is a great idea! Your students could make fake beards to wear while you are gone. Is that weird? nawwwww. It'd be fun!

Fri, 10/05/2018 - 08:06

Aubs

Usually how cold will it get there? Growing a beard probably helps, right?

Sat, 04/21/2018 - 15:54

Mike Penn

This is a really good idea! Another friend also suggested having the kids vote on the beard and having beard growth time lapse pictures. Fun ideas!

Fri, 10/05/2018 - 08:06

Fiona B.

Dear Mr. Penn,I like how you look without a beard, but I also DO NOT want you to get frostbite. I think you should grow a beard, so you don't die of frostbite. PS. Shave off your beard once you get back please. :)
-Fiona B. 4B

Fri, 10/05/2018 - 08:12

Ry

Aren't you worried about freezing in Antarctica without a beard,so you better hurry and grow it

Fri, 10/05/2018 - 08:14

Aubs

Are you going to be okay?!

Fri, 10/05/2018 - 08:14

Coral M.

Team beard all the way! It will keep you so warm! Totally go for it!

Fri, 10/05/2018 - 08:15

Natalia

I bet a beard would be helpful in Antarctica! How are you going to handle your new beard in Antarctica?

Fri, 10/05/2018 - 10:00

TEC

Don't grow a beard here, but grow one in Antartica then shave it off when you get back.

Fri, 10/05/2018 - 10:03

Allie

I think you should do it and don't shave it when you come back it will look good.

Fri, 10/05/2018 - 10:03

Jonah C

yes you should grow a beard you will be warm GOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDD LUCK

Tue, 05/08/2018 - 05:57

Mike Penn

Thanks, Dr. Lazzara! I doubt I can grow a beard as good as yours, but I'll do my best!

Fri, 10/05/2018 - 10:07

Ava

You should totally grow a beard and if you do not have a beard will anything happen to you. Will you get frostbite? Also after you are in Antarctica will you shave your beard.

Fri, 10/05/2018 - 10:08

Abby M.

You should toatally grow beard! But will you shave it when get back?

Fri, 10/05/2018 - 10:10

Allie

If you grew a beard do you think a skua would try to eat it?

Fri, 10/05/2018 - 10:28

Gabi E

Hi Mr. PennThis is from your 5th grade GATE class

TO BEARD!!!!

Fri, 10/05/2018 - 10:31

Joey

No beard not to beard no beards allowed beards are bad

Fri, 10/05/2018 - 10:32

Rose

Hi I am a student of Mike Penn's and I would like to know if there is summer and winter in Antarctica. If so how hot can it get in Antarctica in the summer and how cold can it get in Antarctica in the winter