A few students have asked me about the various vehicles down here at the pole. The main vehicle I use around here is the snow mobile, sometimes called the Ski-Doo. I was trained on how to drive these, some minimal maintenance, and how to refuel them. I have yet to ride one though. There are lots of places in the world where these are the primary winter vehicle, but I've never been on one before. They really remind me of Jet Skis.
We use them for transport and as heavy-duty haulers.
When not in use the snowmobiles may be left on or plugged in to keep warm. The only time they are fully off is when they're being refueled.
Next we have the South Pole Shuttle, a passenger van that runs people to various locations around the station. It's hard to get in and out of, but it's a lot warmer than being towed behind a snowmobile and there are no exhaust fumes.
Then there are more utilitarian vehicles: the pistenbullies and the Caterpillars, big and small.
Photo credit: James Roth
One Pistenbully is outfitted with ground-penetrating radar to survey for sub-ice cracks or holes.
Sometimes a traverse comes through, about two each year. This year it was an Indian traverse in Toyota trucks. They drove all the way from the coast.
Traverse photo credited to James Roth.
Then there are planes, the big Hercs, the twin otters, and every once in a while even a tourist plane stops in. http://
Photo credit: James Roth
Tourists are allowed at the pole for photographs and are allowed in the station hallways, bathroom, gift shop and conference room where they receive a cookie from our kitchen. They aren't really allowed anywhere else, though, and leave after about two hours. A little internet research revealed to me that you could be on that plane for around $38,000 USD.
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