big zero

we got to zero degrees F today. max temp for year and for this summer was later this day at -17.5C/+0.5F, however it was pretty windy so didn't feel so warm.
coldest it got this season while i was at pole was -45.3C/-49.5F on nov 9, 2008.

btw, min temp for year (during winter when i was not here) was -73.3C/-99.9F on aug 17, 2008.
max for last summer (my first season at pole) was -21.5C/-6.7F on dec 20, 2007.
coldest it got last year while i was around was -48.4C/-55.1F on nov 7, 2007.

ice machine???

science shots

work shots

genie and the big crate
flippin' steel
sparkles and sled

npx bio stats

(arrived south pole nov 4, but no info that day)

nov 09: O2 88, pr 94
nov 15: O2 88, pr 100
nov 19: O2 92, pr 80
nov 27: O2 94, pr 109
dec 01: O2 93, pr 106
dec 12: O2 95, pr 83

IVs

since i'm on the advanced trauma team here at pole, i'm getting some extra training. today we learned how to insert IVs. first we practiced on rubber tubing, but eventually practiced on each other. i let a couple guys work on me. the doc wanted ppl with prominent veins to volunteer so it would be easier. one was fine, other guy took a couple tries (i didnt get it my first time either so i don't blame him). was weird though because we actually heard a pop when he got it in my vein. ugh. anyway, that arm is pretty sore right now.


so why do i have a handstand picture on this post? because the doc took it the other day at airdrop and was so tickled to have a photo of someone doing a handstand at the south pole. you know all the jokes of us being upside down, etc.

air drop

the air force did an airdrop saturday. they only do one here per year, for practice. i got to be on the crew that went out to the drop zone to undo the parachutes from the crates. was cool to get to watch from so close up. everyone else could only watch from a distance.




photo credits: Scott Jackson

sundogs

ice crystals in the air mean halos and sundogs.
also happens to be the first day above -30F
and for some reason we're having a higher physio-altitude today 11,092 ft.