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Dangers Antarctica
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The main risks of the South Pole, apart from the
general hazards of the cold, are the crevasses.
As you most probably will follow the logs of
previous expeditions, you don’t have to worry too
much about them.
The major area of crevasses is just where the old
and the new Antarctica meat, just by the
Trans-Antarctica Mountain range, around half way
to the South Pole. You could encounter black
streaks of buried crevasses there, but they are
harmless. Stay close to the proven longitude and
you’ll be fine. If in doubt you can check the
snow by staking it with your ski pole. Sometimes
the snow will give way under you with a thump as
you ski across it. That will stop your heart for
a moment, but it’s just snow settling beneath
your weight.
Some expeditions bring ropes for crevasse rescue.
If you do, make sure you know how to perform a
crevasse haul, it’s not easy. Solo travelers
sometimes build elaborate systems with rigid
pulling handles for their sleds aimed to halt a
crevasse fall.
The only fatality known by us in polar travel at
Antarctica is a scientist who fell into a
crevasse just outside camp. But the story is a
mystery still today. Much due to such factors as
the team waiting for hours before actually
looking for him. And longer even before calling
for rescue.
Other fatalities include instead a major
parachuting accident over the South Pole. All
guys except one came down with unopened chutes,
still frozen in free fall position. The exact
cause of this accident is unknown.
The most probable outcome for you is that you’ll
do the entire trip without seeing one single
crevasse. Tiny cracks in the ice, yes – but these
are not crevasses.
Your modern day dangers might instead include
avoiding to get run over by polar vehicles, as
the new Antartica highway is under way. |
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