living in antarctica--8/6/25

06 Aug 2025

living in antarctica--8/6/25

0 COMMENTS

Today's selection-- from Ends of the Earth by Neil Shubin. Tips for surviving if you ever find yourself in the Arctic or Antarctica:

Rules of Working in Polar Regions

“Extreme environments force us to see our bodies as machines. We must become hyperaware of and proactive about our levels of hydration, heat retention, and energy consumption in a way that is often lost in the comforts of a more temperate home. People who move to work in the Arctic and Antarctica follow rules for surviving, even enjoying, these places. While the directives may seem intuitive, it might surprise you to learn how many of us have accidentally violated them from time to time.

“Rule 1: Don't get cold. It is easier, and less risky, to keep our bodies warm than it is to heat them up. If you need to warm up, then use your body as a machine. In Antarctica, jumping jacks or sit-ups can turn Big Red into a personal furnace. But beware Rule 2 below.

“Rule 2: Don't get hot. Getting wet can be a great relief in tropical environments, but it can be fatal in polar ones. Whether you're trudging through snow or climbing a hill, it is easy to start sweating. Perspiration, our response to heat, chills the body through evaporation. On traverse, I try to be mindful of my heart rate and how much my body is heating up. If I can't chat and tell tall tales on a hike, then I'm likely over exerting myself, and going to sweat too much. Thermoregulation breaks are important when on long traverses, not only to catch one's breath but to keep from sweating. I'll often stop to remove layers, only to put them on again fifteen minutes later, then repeat the process all over again to maintain the right balance. The general advice for working in cold places is: rush only when necessary. Most tasks can be done at a thoughtfully slow pace to avoid injury, making bad decisions, or overheating. Productive hiking and working in these places entails finding a Goldilocks zone consisting of a comfortable heart rate, manageable heat balance, and effectiveness on the job.

“What's more, layers of clothing must follow specific patterns. The closest layer to your body should wick away perspiration. Cotton is particularly bad at diffusing sweat; wool and various synthetics are ideal. On top of this layer, middle ones hold insulation, while the outermost layers protect from wind and moisture.

“Rule 3: Don't get dry. It is easy to dehydrate in cold environments because the cold does not make you get thirsty. When on the terrain, I bring two thermal flasks with me. One bottle holds hot water, the other starts the day empty. I'll fill the empty bottle with handfuls of snow throughout the day. By adding dashes of hot water to the snow, I can keep a room temperature supply of water going for ten hours.

“Lips, faces, and hands can peel; noses can bleed; and eyes can get too dry in the wind and cold. To make matters worse, sunburn can happen even inside a nylon tent. The inside and outside of our bodies need continual hydration and protection in these landscapes.

Blue ice covering Lake Fryxell, in the Transantarctic Mountains

“Rule 4: Keep your head in the game. Attitude is everything; it is important to keep a light touch, even a sense of humor, about yourself and toward others. Holding a feeling of gratitude, even under harsh conditions, works wonders to elevate the spirit. Focusing on the science we're there to do, the natural attractions in the landscape, good books, and the talents of teammates is a recipe for maintaining a level head in the face of challenging circumstances.

“Just like in camp, food is not only fuel when on traverse, it is comfort for the soul. I'm always nibbling chocolate or dried fruit. Bring goodies.

“Rule 5: It takes a village. Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, which translates to ‘that which Inuit have known to be true,’ refers to traditional knowledge that guides interactions with the land and with one another. Essential matters like working together, care for one's community, and concern for others become a timetested social glue. Practicing this traditional wisdom promotes wellness for individuals and the community at large. Versions of these ideas, either gained by working with Inuit communities or developed independently, have also guided outsiders on successful polar expeditions. In Antarctica, for example, we are always doing buddy checks of each other's mood, attitude, alertness, and well-being. This is not a place to work alone, and the person suffering from a field ailment is often the last one to know it.

“Rule 6: Think inside the box. Stay within your limits, do not take risks, and when a situation feels out of your control, focus on the things that you can influence. Thinking ‘outside the box’ is for the whiteboard at home, not for polar expeditions.

“Rule 7: Experts mess up. Veterans of polar work can sometimes be nonchalant about procedures or overconfident about dangers. It's important to stay vigilant and not allow other members' expertise or experience to lull you into becoming recklessly passive. Hence, Rule 5 only works if everybody's opinion and observations are taken seriously.

“Science at the poles comes with three priorities in rank order: ensure each other's safety, do the work we are there to do, and have the time of our lives. Promoting well-being, the obvious highest concern, means connecting to approaches used by Indigenous Communities and explorers of the past, and it means staying humble with the knowledge that each of us raised in more equatorial climes is a fish out of water in polar landscapes.”