Traverse

 11-25-2022

 

Imagine leaving St. Louis in the early 1800’s on your way west in a covered wagon. The arduous trek took months through territories infrequently traveled with danger at every turn. Such is the life of the “traverse” crew in Antarctica. Essentially, they form a wagon train of sleds loaded with fuel, supplies and every variety of goods necessary for life at the South Pole. In the past the only real way to get anything to the Pole was by air. The distance and the terrain seemed to rule out any other means of transportation. 

Even now, after several years, the traverse is still dangerous. The first traverse of the year has scouts, like the wagon train had, who go ahead looking for the best trail across the tundra. Instead of horses they use snowmobiles. They are a hardy and adventurous group. The possibility of being gobbled up by a crevasse is a daily concern. They literally plant flags along the route they scout for the vehicles behind to follow. They camp every night, just like the early pioneers. The trip takes about a month and there are no showers along the way. I’m not sure how they deal with essential bodily functions! Once they arrive at the Pole, they drop their load (no pun intended), rest a day or two then start the return trip to McMurdo. 

The funny thing is that now they encounter tourists along the way, people who have paid huge sums of money to trek across the Antarctic. This year I think three traverses are planned. I won’t be on any of them.

Looking down at Hut Point

Penguin bone

The "Gap" pass left of Observation Hill leads to Scott Base