Photos from My Brother in Antarctica

[Son of a Beach]

My Brother (who is a much better bushwalker than I) is a genetic scientist for the Antarctic service in another country and is currently in Antarctica for several weeks (including Christmas and New Year). I've just had a chat with him over the computer and he sent me a few photos, and gave me permission to post them here (scaled down).

Apparently their base is well equipped including a recording studio fully equipped with a variety of instruments (presumably to give them something to do to avoid going insane during the winter?). A few of them have formed a band and are planning to perform at their New Years Eve party (he's playing lead guitar).

He tells me that there's a bit of a storm there at the moment and tomorrow their going to be doing a survival course in the storm! Imagine doing a course like that! I think I'd need a light sabre and one of those giant kangaroo/lama animals from The Empire Strikes Back to survive outside in a storm in Antarctica.

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[tomberli]

Very nice, I'm assuming he's at Rothera station with the Brits? How long is he down there for if you don't mind me asking? I've heard rumours tat the english have the tendency to send people South for a loong time

[Son of a Beach]

yep, at Rothera. He's only there for 6 weeks I think. But he's probably not the usual station resident. This is his second such trip, and I think the primary goal of these trips is to collect specimens for a variety of projects. They then take them back and divide them up according to which project needs which species, or something like that. His last trip was almost all aboard ship, collecting with various cages, nets, etc, and only about 2 or 3 days at Rothera. This time it's mostly land-based at the station, I think.

He got to go skiing in Antarctica... I'm very jealous!

PS. I think he's getting sick of living in the UK, and would very much like to move back to Tassie, but the job market for that kind of thing is not huge here (even with the Antarctic Service and CSIRO in Hobart).

[Nuts]

Cool
(He should have kept the hair )
Bit of a flare with the lens as well it seems..

[Son of a Beach]

Lens flare?

[tomberli]

yep, at Rothera. He's only there for 6 weeks I think. But he's probably not the usual station resident. This is his second such trip, and I think the primary goal of these trips is to collect specimens for a variety of projects. They then take them back and divide them up according to which project needs which species, or something like that. His last trip was almost all aboard ship, collecting with various cages, nets, etc, and only about 2 or 3 days at Rothera. This time it's mostly land-based at the station, I think.

That sounds quite reasonable. I was looking at applying for a job with the British Antarctic Survey myself (just finishing a Masters in Antarctic Science) but it would have meant being sent down there for at least 18 months in one stint! The Australians tend to be a bit more reasonable about it - they also have more traffic to and from the stations I guess.

I think he's getting sick of living in the UK, and would very much like to move back to Tassie, but the job market for that kind of thing is not huge here (even with the Antarctic Service and CSIRO in Hobart).

Tell me about it There is jobs here, but its extremely competitive so unless it is exactly in your area you don't stand a chance...

[Steve]

I was looking at applying for a job with the British Antarctic Survey myself (just finishing a Masters in Antarctic Science) but it would have meant being sent down there for at least 18 months in one stint! The Australians tend to be a bit more reasonable about it - they also have more traffic to and from the stations I guess.

Cool, you must be dedicated to go on with your masters. I've been interested in doing Bachelor of Antarctic Science for some time now, though not an option for me currently. If you don't mind me asking; What did you specialise in? How did you find it? (interest, difficulty, workload) Once you come out the other side is there much in the way of jobs?

Btw love your shots on picasa, you've certainly been around.

[tomberli]

Cool, you must be dedicated to go on with your masters. I've been interested in doing Bachelor of Antarctic Science for some time now, though not an option for me currently. If you don't mind me asking; What did you specialise in? How did you find it? (interest, difficulty, workload) Once you come out the other side is there much in the way of jobs?

Yeah, I started off doing the Bachelor of Antarctic Science when it was first offered. I then changed to a B Marine Science half way through to keep it a bit broader. Then went back to Antarctic Science for my Masters. Been doing research on Antarctic Krill and the effects that increasing CO2 will have on em (Ocean acidification). I've really enjoyed it all, especially my Masters. Excellent courses, wonderful opportunities to travel, so it's been great. I've coped with the workload ok. There has certainly been some busy times - especially in 3rd year of my undergrad and through most of my Mastes. Its mostly taught in 2 week intensive course units so when they are on you don'd do anything else except uni, eat and sleep! - but then again its only a couple of weeks at the time when it is that hectic.

In terms of jobs - well, we'll see, i'm just about to start looking for em myself. Look, no illusions if you actually want to be a Scientist, then you are certainly expected to get a PhD before you can start looking for jobs with the big research divisions (Ant Div, CSIRO, Uni / TAFI). If you just wanna do a Bachelor, then your most realistic jobs would probably be with state or federal governments. You need to be very passionate about it though as there are lots of people who thinks it 'sounds kinda cool' and want to do something similar. So unless you are 100% dedicated to it and passionate about what you do (which will no doubt give you a competitive edge), then you'll probably find things frustrating and tiring.

Feel free to contact me if you need more specific infos about the degree. If you ring up IASOS they can be really helpful and give you good information too. The Uni carer service on the other hand has frustrated me many times before...

Btw love your shots on picasa, you've certainly been around.

Thanks I have had an exciting year, yes!

[Steve]

Thanks for that tomberli, that really does give my quite an incite things. I certainly will keep it in mind for the future, just gotta see what happens!

[Joel]

Tom - Wow! You have had an exciting year. I had a look at your gallery and saw the photos of guiding at Cradle and the Kimberley. I was recently offered a job guiding up there for the dry season along the Gibb River Road and am tempted but I am concerned about the heat.

What's it like for a Tasmanian up there?

[tomberli]

Hm, from Antarctica to Kimberley in two posts That's quite an achievement. No idea what it would be like for a Tasmanian up there since I am not one myself But for a European it was certainly OK. I wasn't working up there by the way, just travelling. But I absolutely loved the place and am considering to go back up North later this year. I wasn't up there in the worst heat mind you, but you get used to most things really - especially when you don't intend to stay up there permanently it is easier to put up with things for a while.

[Son of a Beach]

More photos and commentary on his blog here, if anyones interested. Includes ice-climbing, rock climbing and mountaneering, wildlife, camping out, being attacked and physically hit by "Skuas" (like a large grey Antarctic gull), seeing the new year in with the sun still up, planes taking off in only 50m of runway (due to strong winds).

Some really cool stuff!