Today in-between running two research sessions, after lunch I took a stroll outside. There was some light – so for once I did not need a head torch.
Credits: ESA/IPEV/ENEA-A. Kumar
Everything had changed. I was in an alien land. I was so used to the dark, navigating one footstep at a time, only seeing as far as the artificial light from my head torch shone. Around me it used to be pitch black. Now for a few hours a day, the Sun remains trapped below the horizon but you get the feeling that it is bursting at its seams to rise above the horizon.
Among the Sastrugi, I found a natural ledge to perch on and peer into the horizon. I had the 1000 metre stare, that all overwinterers have had at some point – a distant, absent minded long stare into a blank horizon as if waiting for a space rocket to take off.
The Sun is coming. My eyes shed tears from the cold which immediately froze to my face.
We expect the Sun to return around the 10th August or 11th perhaps.
I would be keen to know what you would do – having not seen the Sun for over 3 months- how you would mark the celebration?
Not long now…
Discussion: 2 comments
Hi, thanks for sharing your experiences. I live in El Salvador, Central America and we always live in summer (winter is rainy season); I’m usually complaining about sun and heat and is truly amazing to realize that you are in another extreme position. We are a very small country with a lot of people and I always thought I could use some of the loneliness of Antartic; I believe it’s an excellent place to find ourselves. My best wishes for you and a warm hello from El Salvador.
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