| A quick look at some of the common questions people ask before coming down to the ice. This is in addition to the questions I answered for the kids. | |
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Is there still a social life? With only 12 people and a whole winter to yourselves, what do you do? |
| There is so much to do you wont get it all done. If you want to hibernate in your room that's fine as well, but not recommended. You will go nuts. Have a look at the page on recreation for more info. | |
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Where is Scott Base ? |
| If you have a look at the map of Antarctica on the front page you will see where Scott Base is situated. Now get a map of the world. Find New Zealand. Scott Base is in a direct line down from New Zealand. That's why we are in the New Zealand time zone. | |
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Can you use video cameras and cameras in Antarctica?. |
| Video cameras and electronic cameras work most of the time. Anything below -18 degrees for too long will normally make the camera too cold to operate. Batteries will also start to lose power and the electronics do strange things. Film in cameras can get brittle (same with video) so it's something to be wary of. From my own experience it is handy to bring down a few throwaway cameras. Cheap and nasty, but any photo is better than no photo. They are also real handy because you can keep one in your pocket and you're not afraid to damage them. Videos handle the cold real well and you don't normally have a problem. Video is a real neat way to capture the interesting moments. | |
| The main problems with these are the LCD screens on some cameras will get real slow in the cold so it pays to use the viewfinder outside (because it's a small cathode ray tube and is not effected by the cold.) At times my Sony camera has stopped focusing etc. so I know it's getting a bit cold. All I do is put it away and when it gets warm again its fine. Try not to let the cameras get condensation on them from breath or sweat, as it is very hard to get off the lenses once it ices up. Many people opt for a camera that is fully manual so the there is less chance of it being effected by the cold. | |
| An Olympus EO1 is a common camera. But I have never had any trouble with my Cannon AZ 330 automatic. Just watch out for dust getting into the camera when around helicopters. The fine sand (scoria) gets everywhere. It's also good to have a small disposable camera on hand for those moments when you don't have a camera on hand. A photo is better than no photo. We also have a Sony video editing suit (sound and video edit unit ) on the base which can take VHS and 8mm (Cam-corder size). If you want to play the Panasonic compact size video tape, then bring down the adapter kit to fit it into the VHS player. Jumper leads etc. are available here. | |
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Special lenses, etc. |
| In the summer some people (like myself) used polarizing lens filters to knock a bit of harshness out of the strong sun and reflecting off snow surfaces. They are cheap enough to buy in camera shops, and also have the added bonus of protecting you camera lenses from scratches and bumps without changing the colour of photos too much. | |
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What kind of extra equipment and stuff do base permanent staff need to bring down which isn't already at Scott Base.. |
| For me as an electrician I was told that everything was down here but if I wanted to bring down some of my own stuff that was fine. I got down here and found some tools, meters, etc. Not bad, but I'm glad I brought down my own toolbelt, long nose pliers, etc., etc.; just the stuff I like to use all the time because I'm used to it. | |
| Chris the mechanic brought down some of his favorite tools, but the engineers seemed happy enough with everything they where supplied with. In the kitchen, I think Pauline brought down a few of her own knives etc. Most other staff don't need anything extra that I know of; for work anyway. | |
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Antarctica New Zealand supplies cold weather clothing……… |
| Backpacks, sleeping bags, and all outside equipment are supplied. Some people like to bring down other warm clothing and a few other things as well, which is fine, but you have to wear the Antarctica NZ issue stuff for all outside activities. It comes down to a matter of safety in the environment. Warm socks and normal socks are about the only thing to watch out for. | |
| Bring what you like to wear inside as well as warm socks for outside. Antarctica NZ supplies several pairs of warm socks but you may prefer to wear your own. See the clothing section of my web site for more details. Or contact Antarctic NZ for more details before you go out and buy stuff you don't need. | |
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Stereos, walkman's , CDs, speakers etc. |
| We have a small radio station and it's always nice to be able to listen to your own music from time to time or in the workplace. I brought down a smallish stereo system (Cd player, radio, cassette) which is really handy for my workshop or wherever I want to pump up the volume around the base. It's simple and portable. | |
| Others bring down big stereo systems (man alive you should be in the garage when Chris pumps up the volume on his Dennon Stereo system. Make your ears bleed!!) . Others get small speakers for their walkman's and play a few quiet sounds in their rooms. Some people get mains powered speakers (same as the ones used on computer multimedia systems) and plug them into their walkman. You would think they were full-sized midi systems with the quality of sound they put out and very portable as well ! | |
| Don't forget to bring down some of your own CDs. We have a few hundred on base but it doesn't take long to memorize them, if you know what I mean. Christmas is the most gut wrenching time to listen to music on the radio. There are only a limited amount of Xmas cds, and it doesn't take long to know every little tune by heart. I think the DJ has a real nasty streak running through him. | |
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Ointments, lotions, dark and mysterious potions, shampoo, bathroom stuff, etc. |
| Bring down what you would normally need at home. Not the whole bathroom cabinet, just the essentials. Staff and visitors are also expected to use your own towels ( so bring 3 or 4). | |
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Computers and communication with the outside world. |
| We have email. Private work accounts for all the winter staff and some of the more important summer staff. Many people have also opted to use hotmail (free email at www.hotmail.com) as a private account outside the base accounts, for privacy and continued access after leaving Scott Base. We have internet web access and telephone direct dialing to anywhere in NZ through the satellite. Get a telecom calling card so all your private phone calls are charged at domestic rates. Scott Base's Phone number is (02) 409 6700, Fax (02) 409 6705. | |
| They consider Scott Base part of the Telecom New Zealand Network and it is not as expensive to call home as you think. It's vary rare that all the phone lines are engaged at the same time. We have 5 outgoing lines (to NZ) as well as the data link going through the SES (satellite earth station, located up the hill). The data line is, at present, about 19k. So don't get any ideas about big downloads. It's normally a very busy little link used mainly by the science teams. | |
| Personal use (Internet) is available at any time as long as the link is not overloaded. | |
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Posters for bedrooms, stuffed toys, costumes… |
| for fancy dress and parties are all extras that staff may want to think about. | |
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Money. DO I need it at Scott Base ?? |
| An Eftpos money machine is available in the shop. Money issues can also be handled, in part, by staff at Antarctica NZ if required, but giving a power of attorney to someone you can trust before you leave for the ice is recommended. | |
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Computers, laptops and electronic equipment … |
| Work OK in Antarctica as long as it's kept at reasonable temperatures. Anything below -15 to -20 (degrees C) for any period of time will cause problems. The power is supplied at 230 volts (same as New Zealand) around Scott Base. The Americans use 110 volt supply and you will need to arrange alternative power supply if you want to plug equipment into their system. | |
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Watch straps and batteries |
| Rubber or leather watch straps seem to break for some reason. Maybe because its so dry. Bring down a spare strap or get the electrician to glue and then heat shrink some wrap over it if it breaks. That's what we did this year. It wasn't an issue in the summer but in the winter many of them stuffed up and almost turned into pocket watches. Watch batteries are fine as long as they are new when you come down here. Go to the jeweler before you leave home. | |
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What does the shop have in stock and what currency do we use. |
| The shop has a few roles of film. One or two essentials like toothpaste and soap, and heaps of touristy things like shirts, pocket knives, stuffed toys jackets etc etc. All promoting Scott Base and Antarctica. Don't rely on it too much as it may disappoint you. Currency is the New Zealand dollar at Scott Base and American greenback in McMurdo. We will exchange money from one currency to the other at Scott Base but McMurdo will only deal in Greenbacks. | |
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Tax?? |
| You get taxed as if you're
still in New Zealand. It's hard to escape the IRD I find it very amusing that we are still taxed, and at the same time officially living out of the country for a year (according to customs). Very convenient for government departments to make their own rulings, don't you think. |
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Passports ?? |
| The Antarctica New Zealand
program looked after all that but its recommended that
you bring your passport because the customs department
consider Antarctica, Scott Base as a foreign country and
you are treated the same way as any other international
flight. Bring your passport and get it stamped at Scott Base. We have penguin rubber stamps, sledding stamps, scott base stamps etc…… |
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Do you have to pass any medical exams. |
| You'll have a very complete medical from head to foot, including dental. You'll also get all the prodding, poking, blood removal, and exercise treadmills you could ever want. They provide all this for you, just so you can get on a plane and freeze your butt off in a place of in a land of imagination and adventure. | |
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Does the government employ you ??. |
| In a round about sort of way, they do. The Antarctica New Zealand program is a government spin off from a few years ago. It runs separate to the government, but it still has strong ties and responsibilities to the government. We are not military, well not most of us anyway. We are mainly civilian people employed on a contract basis to look after the base. Communications, cargo and flying operations are handled by the armed forces because it's their area of expertise, and we look after the rest. There are no military people on base over the wintertime. | |
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How do you apply for work at Scott Base Antarctica? |
| We are paid employees, but some contractors, specialists who have come down in the past for certain jobs, have offered their services for nothing in return for a chance to live at Scott Base for a while. They are not disappointed with the lifestyle and it is mutually beneficial for all parties concerned. | |
| Antarctica New Zealand looks
for people to fill vacancies at Scott Base in January -
February of every year. They also post vacancies on their
web site, which is available through a link from my site
to theirs on the front page. If at first you don't succeed, keep trying as they only have so many positions available and not every one can get down the first time they apply. Many of us have applied more than once before getting the job. |
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Special diets |
| If you have a special diet then you can be catered for. The chefs go out of their way to cater for your needs. Its amazing how many people are vegetarians. Many people cannot last though, due mainly to the extreme demands the environment put on the body, and often they revert back to eating meat. Its amazing how well the body responds to a more balanced omnivore diet when living in an extreme environment. | |
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