Letters from Antarctica

Canon Rebel T1i

Dear Mom,

Hope things are well.  Just letting you know that I recently had a question featured on Chris Marquardt’s podcast: Tips from the Top floor.  This is the webs best photography podcast.

I asked a question about shooting while in Antarctica.  He talks about working in extreme conditions.  It is very cold and very bright there,  both are problems for photography.  Anyway, I’ll post some photos when I get there and make sure to link them here.

For now you can listen to the podcast by clicking on this link: Tips for photography in Antarctica.

Only 5 days until I start my trip to Antarctica.

Will write again soon.

Marty

Sir Ernest Shackleton can be considered one of the greatest leaders and explorers of his time. This letter to Becky tells about his unsuccessful expedition to cross Antarctica. Shackleton and his crew were marooned in the middle of the sea for 18 months and then on Elephant Island for many more.

Shackleton rescued the crew by navigating the frozen weddell sea in a life boat.

Everyone survived this expedition.

Dear Friends and Family,
As most of you know I will be leaving for Antarctica in less than two weeks. On October 6th I will head to Colorado for paperwork and training. Three days later I will begin the long trip to McMurdo station, Antarctica. I should be arriving on about the 13th of October.

I had considered writing a blog about this trip but then came up with this idea I am calling “Letters from Antarctica.” Instead of a cold impersonal blog thrown up on the internets for the masses to read indiscriminately, I will be writing (or making videos) addressed to my close friends and family, thrown on the internets for the masses to read indiscriminately. This letter is addressed to everyone but future letters will be for just one of you. Of course, if there is nothing to stop the entire world from reading it. This is the internet after all.

With only two weeks left before I head out things are relatively calm around here. I have nearly everything in order and only need to buy a few more items of clothes and some odds and ends. All of my paperwork is lined up (for the most part) and I think I’m all set.

For those of you who don’t know, I will be working at McMurdo station as a painter. I will be working in the carpentry shop most of the time but hopefully will have some opportunity to get out and about and see the continent a bit. As for the work I will be doing, I can only assume that I will be preparing and painting parts of prefabricated buildings. As this is my first year I can’t say for sure and will let you know the details when I know them.

I will keep you updated about my whereabouts and goings-on.

I received word that I passed all of my medical tests and that I am now PQ’d.  I will be leaving for Antarctica on or around October 1oth.  Wish me Luck.

I’m at the doctors office right now getting ready to take the pre employment drug screening. There won’t be any problems of course but it’s one step closer to working in Antarctica this season.

I received an official job offer today from raytheon to work in Antarctica. Now all I have to do is pass the background check, the drug test, and the medical and dental qualifications.

Marty at Niagra Falls 2007

Welcome to my personal blog.  Unless we know one another I’m sure you won’t find the drivel I plan to post here interesting in any fashion.  I am a somewhat crude writer and hope to improve that disability with this journal. You will mostly read about things that interest me at the moment and my interests change quickly. Be warned.

At this moment in time I am being considered for a position at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. It is a support position which will consist of mostly painting and a little carpentry work.  I suspect that a majority of my upcoming posts will center on this topic (if I get the job).

I’ll keep you updated.