Week 25 at the Pole

Close-up of flowers in a vase on a long table with formal table settings.
Kalvin Moschkau, IceCube/NSF

You may have seen one midwinter at the Pole, but that doesn’t mean you’ve seen them all. Although it’s an annual tradition, each year’s crew puts their individual spin on this celebratory event, whether in the details of the formal table settings (notice fresh flowers from the greenhouse) or in the planned activities that follow the dinner, like this year’s slumber party in the gym. They went all out with face masks and classic slumber party movies. The midwinter festivities last week also included an art gallery where station members shared their artwork and musical talents. Midwinter was the highlight of last week at the Pole, but the station must be maintained daily even during holidays and festivities. Last week, IceCube winterover Kalvin volunteered to cover some of the power plant rounds so the power plant team could enjoy a long weekend.

Lots of single mattresses pushed together to form one big bed on the gymnasium floor.
Kalvin Moschkau, IceCube/NSF
Room set up with tables displaying art, two people playing flutes, other people milling about or seated along perimeter.
Connor Duffy, IceCube/NSF
Inside view of South Pole power plant, person standing off center wearing ear mugs and holding laptop.
Kalvin Moschkau, IceCube/NSF
Inside view of South Pole power plant.
Kalvin Moschkau, IceCube/NSF