When I arrived at the South Pole, I was struggling with the dryness, altitude, and learning my new job. Consequently, I did not really do an intro to the South Pole Station. I am going to try and use this week to do that since you likely can't be amazed by aurora photos this week since you hopefully got to see them yourself.
Map of Antarctic research stations
Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station is located about 850 miles from the nearest US station, McMurdo Station on the coast. The nearest base is the Russian's Vostok base, 802 miles away. Vostok has the record for the coldest temperature on Earth at -128.6F in 1912. There isn't much in between on the polar plateau, which is what this last photo is meant to show you. You can't hop in a vehicle and just drive to the next base unless you are towing a ton of fuel with you. We are truly alone for the winter.
Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station and the nothingness of the polar plateau.
