Antarctica

Scott Base

October 1997 to October 1998

Last updated, 27-10-04 then 5-5-2024

 

    Welcome to a small part of Antarctica called Scott Base. 

My name is Ray Young, and between October 1997 and October 1998 I had the privilege of being able to live and work at New Zealand's Antarctic  facility designed to support science.   My particular job was as an electrician looking after the electrical aspects of Scott Base operations.  During the Antarctic winter of 1998 I started designing this web page in my spare time so that friends and family could see what it was like there. Since then it seems to have grown to include e-mail correspondence with classrooms, background information for people who have a common interest in Antarctica and  memory-jogging pictures for those who have already been down there.  Whatever your interest in Antarctica, I'm sure there is something here for you.

Many of the pages are packed with images, hopefully making it easier to comprehend.

 

Geocities has been an incredible site for preserving this content. Unfortunately, some items no longer function.

Rather than break this site by tinkering with it too much, I am considering a new plan.

  I am starting to build a new website over at:  https://ultracoolrunner.com 

 Ultracoolrunner - Best Adventure EVER - Scott Base

email:  [email protected]


Antarctica.  Scott Base location circled in yellow.View of Scott Base with Eribus behind it

Scott Base's location in Antarctic and Scott Base with Mt. Erebus behind it. It's farther away than it looks.

Looking out over the Scott Base hitching rail at 1pm in late Autum, Mt Terror in the background

A McMurdo vehicle hitching rail during a stormy winter afternoon

Scott Base and McMurdo vehicle hitching rails


One of the many Auroura displays at South Pole Station.

Photographed by base personel in 1999 and gratefully sent to me by Susan Sawtelle (a winter over member of 2000.)

Pages for Viewing

Scott Base Winter Over Crew 1997 to 1998 All twelve of us in splendid color (including B&W) with a little explanation of what we think we should be doing down here.

Adventure Some interesting scenery and information.

Vehicles  Aircraft Ships Ever wondered how we got here or get around? I know I did, so here are some things about the transport we use.

Recreation Not everything we do involves ice, snow or hard work.

Scenery of Various Sorts  Sun-scapes and Moonlight - A time for reflection -  when Antarctica makes you sit down and think about nothing but isolation and splendor. Most people who have experienced Antarctica will know what I mean.

Food - Pauline's cooking and culinary habits exposed. I even managed to pry her theoretical menus out of her.

Kid's Quest The answers to some of the kid's questions (from Cindy's class ); not the only school classroom I corresponded with, but one of the first.

March 98 April 98 May 98 June 98 July 98 August 98 These are the Internet copies of our monthly (Scott Base-produced) winter newspaper. It's been re-edited, of course, as we don't want to air all our little secrets. In here you will find heaps of insight into the daily routines - highs and lows of the Scott Base winter dwellers.

Antarctic Clothing Some days are hot, some days are not !!. See how we dress for the occasion.

Weather History,  Conversion Tables, Atmospheric Science Equipment, Ozone Depletion If you are into atmospheric science or weather patterns for Antarctica, have a look at this. If you're interested in the many various science reports produced every year, go to the official Antarctica New Zealand web site.

Wildlife Around Scott Base  - penguins, seals, killer whales and birds (the feathered kind).

The Crosses We Bear Just a little bit about the memorials around the Ross Island Antarctic region.

A Night To Remember Some brilliant photos at night and new twilight as well as some other stuff. (A reasonably large file but very worthwhile if you like big, colourful pictures.)

Books for Reference and Enjoyment A short list of books you may want to look at.

Twilight The twilight days before the season's first rays of sun at Winfly.

Common Questions for Newcomer's To Scott Base So you landed a job at Scott Base... what now ?? Someone told me this section would be a bit boring unless, of course, you're nuts enough to come down here and work. You however, unlike some of my more critical friends, may find it interesting for other reasons.

Antarctic Treaty Claims Map This map gives you an idea of what various countries would like to think they own. It seems to change slightly from year to year, with the USA not even acknowledging land claims in Antarctica.

Historic Buildings of Ross Island Antarctica A quick look at the historic buildings on Ross Island Antarctica. See inside and out... Get a feeling for "old" style Antarctic living.

Maps and Diagrams To show you where in the world Scott Base is and where many things are located on the island. It also shows where some of the old exploration routes were and when they where made.

Inside Scott Base A look inside Scott Base and what it was like in the year of 1997 -1998. Some pictures explaining what it's all about and the differences between summer and winter conditions.

Outside Scott Base Take a look around the outside of the Scott Base buildings with explanations what each is about.  (Finished 6-6-00. Editor to tidy up the spelling and grammar at a later date but basically, it's finished.)

McMurdo Station This is just a quick look at McMurdo. The residents, who often produce web pages, can show it to you in far better detail than I. Remember that this particular page is not finished yet and all you see are the beginning of some photos with no explanations yet. (still under construction)

 

Links to other people's and organization's web sites


This is a page dedicated to listing other people's and organization's web sites. If you have your own web site about Antarctica (or related topic), tell me and I can include a link to your site.

Dave and Mike out flaging a new sea ice route in the dark

Twilight Red skies over Erebus.

Emporer Penguins Enjoying the last light of the summer

 

Dave and Mike flagging a new sea ice route, Mt Erebus bathed in winter twilight (Referred to by Scott as the "Sky was on fire"), Emperor Penguins enjoying the afternoon light of the long summer day


Geocities has been an incredible site for preserving this content. Unfortunately, some items no longer function.

I have a solution!

  I am starting to build a new website over at: 

https://ultracoolrunner.com 

 Ultracoolrunner - Best Adventure EVER - Scott Base

Email: [email protected]


 

You can e-mail me but these days it has so much junk mail it may get missed : [email protected]

 

Special thanks

Future Contact Information

In these two links you will find information on future contact and a few thanks to some helpful people like my editor.

Written By Ray  ( ICQ # 11253208 )

Edited by Shirley- [email protected]    ICQ # 15167279

 

This Page has changed from its previous location at www.pageplanet.com/coolrunner/ where it resided for many years. It moved once again to Geocities.

Now it is to be rebuilt on a new site but I will leave this old version of the website in place.  Contact me at the new email!

Antarctica, Scott base By Ray Young (geocities.ws)   

https://geocities.ws/coolrunnernz/

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