So how do you get to the bottom of the world? In today's modern age of travel and communication, we are accustomed to flying to another continent in a few hours, or connecting to the other side of the world by video in a matter of seconds. But things are different at the South Pole. For one thing, I left my house in San Diego on Sunday November 26th and did not arrive at the South Pole until Friday December 1st. And I am one of the lucky few who had no delayed or cancelled flights!
People say that it's not the destination but the journey to get there. In this case, I think both are spectacular. The journey itself to arrive at the South Pole is a memory I will never forget, but being here and experiencing the culture at the South Pole is equally unforgettable.
As the holiday season is nearing, flights back to McMurdo and Christchurch are becoming more and more scarce. There is a no-fly period between Christmas and New Years, so any scientists with an off ice date before Christmas hope that they can get back to New Zealand before the holiday black out travel days.
Why would a flight need to get cancelled in Antarctica? The U.S. Antarctic Program flies Lockheed LC-130s to the South Pole. These planes are ski-equipped to land on the ice runway. If the weather is not favorable in either the departure or arrival station, the flight will be cancelled. There is also the possibility for a flight to "boomerang". This means that a plane takes off but the weather changes mid-flight. The plane would then turn around and land at the departure station again or would divert to another landing site if weather became unfavorable there.
I was very fortunate to have a smooth arrival at the South Pole, no delays or cancellations. I am hoping for similar favorable weather on the way home too!
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