Since it’s summer at the Pole, more people are arriving than leaving. However, last week two people departed who had been at the Pole for an extended time—yes, we’re talking about Benjamin Eberhardt and Kathrin Mallot, IceCube’s winterovers for the past year, shown above among the red parkas walking toward the plane above. They did a great job and supplied us with so many fantastic images from that remote part of our planet. We wish them well.
And now, John Hardin and Yuya Makino have picked up the reins. Last week was busy (they often are). They finished up IceTop measurements, were trained on the scout (a heated tracked vehicle for snow), welcomed incoming IceCubers to the station, and celebrated Fiesta Friday, where everyone made their own tacos for lunch. Below is the shop where the scout is maintained, Yuya practicing wearing his gear in the tunnels, and a replica Scott tent (which get set up from time to time) at the ceremonial South Pole.
