Today we learned that our plane from Punta Arenas to Antarctica will likely depart on Tuesday or Wednesday. We will be so thankful if we can spend Thanksgiving in Antarctica!
I thought I would take this opportunity to answer a few of the questions that we’ve received on our “Submit a Question” area on website Education page.
Q: (from Emillia in WA) Will you see any penguins in Antarctica because I tracked your route on a map and you start on an ice shelf and penguins live on ice shelves?
A: Unfortunately for us we will not see any penguins because we start on the edge of the Ronne ice shelf that is closest to land. The penguins live closer to where the ice meets the open ocean where they can get their food.
Q: (from Rye in WA) Why do you want to go to Antarctica?
A: As one of the last frontiers on earth, we long to experience Antarctica’s amazing environment while still wild and pristine. Only a handful of people make a full expedition to the South Pole in any given year (versus Mt. Everest which can have hundreds summit in a day). A South Pole journey promises extraordinary adventure and enormous challenge, not to mention memories for life. And we hope our expedition will inspire others to imagine possibilities that seem beyond their reach, to push outside their comfort zones, and reach their full potential.
Q: (from Mrs. Piper’s Third Grade class, WA) Will it just be the two of you on the plane to Antarctica or will there be other people (besides the pilot)? What was the total amount of weight that you packed?
There will be approximately 26 people on our plane to Antarctica. This includes a variety of people: plane crew, staff who work in Antarctica, guides, a film crew and other people going on expeditions.
The total for our sleds (including the fuel that we will pick up in Antarctica) will be 220 pounds each.
Q: (from Bobby in CA) What is the average temperature at the South Pole?
A: While we are in Antarctica, we are expecting to experience temperatures around- 20 degrees Fahrenheit (it will be summer while we are there). The annual average temperature at the South Pole is around -55 degrees Fahrenheit. Here’s a cool link to check out that shows you all kinds of averages for the South Pole.
Thanks for your questions. Keep them coming. We will continue to answer questions while we are in Antarctica.
OK, HERE IS MY QUESTION. WHEN AND WHERE DO YOU GO TO THE BATHROOM? FUNNY HOW MOMS THINK OF THESE TYPE OF QUESTIONS!
TINA (STOREY)NOVAK
Thanks for you question Tina. We hope that most our bathroom breaks will take place when we are in camp in the morning before we depart or in the evening when we arrive at our destination for the day. We will dig a hole in the snow as our toilet which will be inside the vestibule of our tent (the part outside the main tent area but that still has shelter). If we are moving and need to use the bathroom, we’ll use our sled as a wind break and go outside.