The version of this that we had when I worked on Erebus (2009-2017) was more fun.

It had a section about crossing crevasses with combinations of sleds and snomobiles and tracked vehicles, crevasse rescue etc. In the middle of otherwise serious text it said "to recover from this situation, you might elect to [something], or possibly [something else]. Either way, a change of underwear is recommended."

If people want I can try to dig it up.

EDIT: found it. p244. https://www.eol.ucar.edu/sites/default/files/files_live/priv... It's really interesting to compare these and see how USAP's risk posture has changed. No more adventures allowed.

Essential reading for field operations is §3.2f Field-Camp Liquor Rations.

Also, fwiw, it's the 6th edition dated February 2001 (per Acknowledgments).

p244. Thanks.

Oops! Fixed, thanks.

Related: a cool blog from a year or two ago from a participant in this program: https://brr.fyi

I read every word on this site, last time it was posted.

The footage of the Rodriguez well (and TNT explosions), in 320x480 glory, are a time capsule of human ingenuity.

Another fun blog from Funranium Labs: https://www.funraniumlabs.com/category/antarctica/

I was down there recently on a helicopter-based expedition and they set up a forward base of operations with a few days of emergency rations in case of unexpected weather that prevents you from returning to ship. I asked them what happens if the blizzard lasts more than a couple of days. Someone somewhere has a recipe book for penguins.

I assume it tastes like… chicken?

No, penguins are pretty disgusting.

Do NOT let strange dogs into the base.

Especially if Norwegians are shooting at it from a helicopter.

I find it neat that even in a climate as hostile as the Antarctic humans still make an effort to recycle.

> Field Camp Hut Etiquette

> Sort and pack all trash and recycled materials and take them back to McMurdo Station for proper disposal.

Oh man if you had any idea how much work goes into waste sorting & disposal there. In McMurdo every trash station has trash cans for ~10 different categories. I was always calling up the waste department to ask about classification. We would get bored and argue about the classification of juice boxes for "fun". I worked on Erebus and all of our pee & poop got helicoptered out in buckets. Food waste was shipped all the way back to CA and had to be kept frozen the whole way.

I bet that helicopter pilot was some ex-Navy F-14 pilot who liked to buzz the tower and risked his taxpayer-owned jet to save his wingman after an encounter with MiG 28s.

That “orange” bag has seen better days.