What vehicles/equipment does cargo get to operate?

Deploying to McMurdo in a little over a month. What kind of luggage do you personally bring? I’ve heard everything from duffel bags to regular luggage.

Thoughts?

It's been a long wanted dream of mine to work in antarctica running equipment, (possibly SPOT) currently getting into a union for heavy equipment

Now that it's becoming an actual possibility and not just a dream I'm trying to learn all that I can, sorry if this isnt the stuff you're supposed to ask here, thanks

Also if possible, what would a ballpark number be for salary as an equipment operator for mcmurdo? I know it won't be near what I can get stateside, would just be nice info :)

I just heard back from a recruiter for the Supply supervisor role, anybody with Feedback? comments, anything about it would be great

What’s the situation on the ice now? What’s the chance of getting a plane down in the next couple of days? We’ve got a bunch of eager newbie’s in CHC wanting to get down and I’m sure a bunch of you are waiting to get home too.

Hi everyone!

My wife and me are looking for offers to go to the Antarctica with the following features:

• ⁠around January, February 2026 • ⁠A ship that wouldn’t host more than 180 customers, preferably less (to ensure frequent landings) • ⁠Includes South Georgia and the Antarctic peninsula • ⁠includes the option to do kayakig and hiking (not a must but very nice to have) and walking into ice caves/ice climbing (nice to have) • ⁠trip has educative character/frequent lectures on wildlife, environment, etc. • ⁠a tour provider that is respectful towards the Antarctic environment

We’ve looked at the company oceanwide which were the closest to what we were looking for. They offer a so-called base camp trip (with loads of activities whcih we like) but then they don’t go to South Georgia. And then they offer trip whcih include South Georgia but then you can’t do kayaking.

My wife and me woukd be super thankful for any advice!!

Hi everyone! I applied a couple of weeks ago for a few positions including the Beverage Supervisor position at McMurdo for summer 2025/2026. I haven’t heard anything back yet and I’m not sure if it’s because of the holiday or not. I don’t want to pester them but I’d love just an opportunity to be considered.

I’ve been applying for whatever I can on and off since 2017 but I’ve unfortunately never been one of the lucky ones to make it to the ice.

I’ve ran bars for the past 10 years and I was also Air Force for 9 years with one of those years bringing me to a very isolated base in Northern Greenland. I love the bar world and have an understanding of the ice from the other pole— does any one have any advice here?

Thank you!

I should be deploying for the 25-26 summer season to McMurdo Station. I just bought the base layers I needed for deployment. I went with all merino wool clothing.

I understand I'll be bunking with folks (im a dispatcher for the fire department, not sure if that makes a difference), but im wondering about laundry. I like to air dry my clothing to prevent shrinking, is this practical down there or do I need to upsize my base layers?

If there is absolutely anything else folks care to share for a first timer, I'm all ears. It's a big bucket list item of mine so I am super stoked.

First off, I just posted that I thought I may be getting scammed...but it looks like I'm not, so I need to start actually doing research into my job.

I've got an offer with Amentum to go to South Pole and be a Light Duty Diesel Technician on their fleet. My recruiter and supervisor (DM me for name) described that I would have to work on Snow-Mobiles, Pickup trucks with "infamous" Ford Triton engines, and Generators. This has raised far more questions than it answered.

First, a little about myself: I was born and bred in the South Eastern U.S., where My father is a mechanic who's owned his own shop for over 20 years now, buying selling and repairing Tow-Trucks. I've been working on cars, small diesels and various kinds of Tow-Trucks since I could stand. I was in college for 4 years, failed out, and joined the U.S. Navy for 6 years where I was a paper-pusher, then got out and actually obtained a heavy equipment operator certification, but decided I wanted to be a mechanic instead, and just completed a 2-year associates' of automotive technology.

Even with this resume, I'm exactly a "Great" mechanic, which raises some red flags about my ability to perform at the bottom of the world. My father doubts that I would be able to pass a more in-depth interview. The Recruiter said I have just the right experience level to not be a complete novice, but also be coach-able, which is what he's really looking for.

Questions are:

What are the nature of these snow-mobiles? I'm from the hottest part of the country where it's impossible to find Snow-Mobiles. Year, make, model? Gas, diesel, electric? Are they some kind of high-tech Antartic machines that can't be found anywhere else on Earth? What all is involved with training to work on them? Some people have said the engines are very similar to jet skis, would tearing apart old jet skis be a good place to start?

What is the deal with all the fuel down there? People are saying it's AN8, which won't freeze even in that snow...but what all-makes it not freeze? I'm gonna need more than just "Additives:" Did they put the Aliens' acid in it or something?

What's involved with generator repair? Again, Year, Make Model? One man described simply performing oil changes, but what else would be involved? What's a good way to begin practicing on it?

Is the equipment actually "specialized" to function down there, or is it "modified" from existing models?

Are Snow-Cats considered "Light Deisel?" What other machines would fall under my jurisdiction as a "Light Vehicle Tech?"

EDIT: if it's at possible I would like some official sources for this information, such as links to websites or PDFs of manuals if you're able to provide them.

Hi, I'm planning on traveling to the Antarctic Peninsula this Nov/Dec and saw a couple of cruises advertise that they will be going to remote locations(not Snow Hill) in search of the emperor penguins, by a helicopter. It is 3k per person more expensive than the other expedition I've been considering. Did anyone see emperor penguins in this way? Do the penguins live in places other than on the snow hill? Please help

I’ve been thinking a lot about the long-term future of Antarctica in the context of rapid climate change and ice loss. While most conversations understandably focus on the devastating impacts such as sea level rise, disrupted weather systems, ecological collapse, I want to focus on other topics.

What would Antarctica look like if much of the ice were gone? Would it reveal mountain ranges, valleys, or even signs of ancient ecosystems hidden for millions of years beneath the ice sheets? Could such a landscape be habitable or even populated? Not necessarily in the immediate decades, but over a longer horizon (a century or more). Could we ever imagine people trying to establish cities, agriculture, or industry there, the way humans migrated to other “frontiers” throughout history?

The very conditions that would make Antarctica “available” are also catastrophic for the rest of the world, given how much sea level rise would accompany such melting. But it raises fascinating questions about how humans might treat newly uncovered land. Would it be a refuge, an opportunity, or something we should avoid disturbing altogether.

For context, I’m also exploring these questions in a collaborative world-building project over at r/TheGreatFederation, but I’d really like to hear this community’s expertise and ideas first.

Hey Devils,

I’m heading down to McMurdo Station, Antarctica currently and i'll be there during the USMC Ball. Since this year is the 250th Marine Corps Birthday, I thought it’d be badass to set up an unofficial Ball/celebration at the bar down there.

I’m trying to get a rough headcount of who’s gonna be on the ice this summer season. Looking for Marines first, but also any Navy, Army, or Air Force folks who’d want to join in and celebrate with us.

It’s not every year we get to toast the Corps’ birthday at the bottom of the world, so I figured we should make it happen.

If you’re gonna be at McMurdo and want in, drop a comment or shoot me a message.

My current plan is to go work in Antarctica as a steward. I am currently in the process of getting my ServSafe certification, and will be working in food service for multiple years. I was wondering, with the recent budget cuts and aging infrastructure, if vying for a position on the ice is a bad idea? Is the program in a state of decline? A little worried as I have always wanted to go work in Antarctica and I would do just about anything!

The FAQ seems to mostly be disbelling the myth that you need to be a scientist or medical professional to work there. But what if you are?

More info: We're both 30 and from the snowiest city in Canada and have extensive travel experience. Antarctica is the only continent we haven't been to.

She is: A Canadian nurse who worked in urology and cardiac icu before becoming the head virtual care and engagement manager for our government (she finds and applies medical tech solutions to community health and manages what the medical needs of our remote communities in the sub-arctic). She has also done well digging and bricklaying for charities in Honduras and has also done nursing in a poor hospital in Jamaica. She did floor nursing for 7 years before switching to management recently and also worked another 7 years before that as a lifeguard and swim instructor. She also grew up on snowmobiles as they're used for transport in her fathers home community. Honestly that town is probably pretty similar to mcmurdo as its got like 2000 people living in deep snow for half the year.

I am: A UK-Canadian dual citizen. English and French bilingual with a bit of Norwegian and Spanish comprehension as well (i lived in a lot of places). I have extensive academic research fieldwork experience as well as some prospecting and exploration fieldwork for geology. I hold licenses for drones, atvs, snowmobiles, boats and have small engine repair experience. I can basically drive and fix anything that isn't a helicopter or plane. I hold a geology degree and have worked with various phds on papers (i was the fieldwork mule of my department for a few years). I can get shining references for my fieldwork from have a dozen professors. Im skilled in the use of GIS and Photogrammetry and also have some experience doing water quality measurements and EM surveys. Im experienced and licensed with rifles though that's probably not needed in the antarctic like it is in the arctic since yall dont have predators. Im also not a stranger to working remotely in cold weather and shoveling through 10 foot snowdrifts is a common task for me in the winters.

So... Is it realistic to hope to work our way there for anywhere from a few weeks to 4 months? We can pay our way to south America if its needed. We'd need to get time off but if we could sort out dates we can get that time off.

How do I got about this? None of the researchers I know work in antarctica and im hesitant to ask them to introduce me to others that do until I know if this is realistic.

How fast of an Ethernet adapter should I get for McMurdo?

So as we grow closer to summer I'm wondering, those who take prescription medication, what service do you use?

Ice tried all my local pharmacies and they all said they can't ship out of state.

Thanks in advance!

Edit: 3 months worth through NZ, but I need an additional 3 months worth.

To start off I am a TX state master electrician with over a decade of varied experience in hotels, restaurants, vet clinics, other various commercial lease spaces & lots of residential work. I consider myself to be in the top of my chosen profession.

I applied for a position as an electrician with Amentum about 3 months ago for the 2nd time, I initially applied over a year ago and had a phone interview (which I thought went decently well) but they gave me the typical response of "we appreciate your interest but have pursued another candidate at this time" I thought hey totally cool it was my first time applying anyway.

The interviewer (same man) initially scheduled another phone interview with me which I agreed to & we set up a time for a phone call. He then emailed later saying that he would be unable to interview me again as we had already done it last year; I am blown away. Is this a ONE time only applying cycle even though they have the position up actively looking for qualified candidates? I politely asked if I would be unable to ever apply for the position again and he ignored me.

I was under the impression we could apply annually as turnover has to be a thing down there? I really want to go-any advice? I didn't just start doing electrical work, I have no doubt I could be an asset to the team

Im curious as to the fate of Halley 1 and some of its later relatives! What happened to them once they were abandoned?

Are they still there? Could they in theory be dug up?

Can anybody recommend some current and credible books/articles on the history of Antarctic geology (i.e. how the continent was formed).

I found some good articles on Google Scholar, but they were way too old. Considering the constant research, most of that information is probably outdated by now.