Antarctica: The South Pole, The Wrap Up, The Movies

2011 is a year of ultimate challenges and ultimate adventures. The adventure of Bikepacking The Colorado Trail produced a high altitude Colorado addiction that won’t be cured for some time, if ever. The South Pole adventure is something that I’ll probably never do again - but will never forget. It’s hard to say which adventure will impact my life and views of the world more - then again it really doesn’t matter. Pure isolation at the top of the Rockies or the bottom of the world, just an amazing set of experiences. Yes I am one fortunate dude. I’ve been in the right place at the right time for most of my life. It’s not necessarily about LUCK... but. AND I do realize that most people in this world will never have the time & funds & support to do what I have done - yep, one fortunate dude I am.

I could write a book about my experiences down in Antarctica. But I don't have time for that. I must get back into the groove of biking. Big races are coming up and I, once again, must dominate at the back of the pack. 

Below are a few lessons learned and a set of videos. The videos are not edited for YOUR ENJOYMENT. The videos are edited SO I CAN relive the memories. That's just the way it is. So if you have time - enjoy the videos. If not, that's cool. But I bet you'll be amazed at the views down at the bottom of the world.

I'll never forget these few minutes in my crazy life, seriously... dude

30 minutes at the bottom of the world changed the way I think about a few (or more) things

Lessons Learned:

1. If a dude gives you the ‘hook’ handshake - RUN! 
• Unless you want to explore the Alternative Lifestyle.
2. If you travel solo - there is a 95% chance you be rooming with FREAKS!
3. You’ll get sick - just learn to love it.
4. Don’t forget to put your sunglasses on when you leave the bar at 1AM. 
• Yes, sunglasses at 1AM!
5. -33F isn’t that cold, if the wind ISN’T blowing. -10F is FREEZING if the wind IS blowing.
6. Don’t be afraid to eat omelets for 2 out of the 3 meals each day.
7. Don’t be afraid to skip lunch.
8. Halloween on ‘the ice’ - where foxy mamas are fully clothed and dudes think tightie whities are more than enough ‘coverage’.
9. You’ll be happy at Happy Camper school - unless you’re trying to survive a storm that generates Condition 1... 50+ mph winds and zero visibility.
10. You’ll be tagged as a tourist if you stop to take pictures of EVERYTHING.
11. You’ll be tagged as a tourist if you drop $300 at the gift shop on STUPID trinkets.
12. McMurdo Station Antarctica - where New Zealand is a 10 minute bus ride away.

A Few Links - Educate Yourself!

• Amundsen's South Pole Expedition
• Robert Scott - Terra Nova Expedition
• Ernest_Shackleton
• The Discovery Expedition
• The Dry Valleys
• South Pole Traverse
• Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station
• McMurdo Station Antarctica

And Don't Forget:

• Just because it looks like all the pictures & video are taken at straight up noon - don't believe it. Most of the flights were in the middle of the night. Most of the pics and movies were taken between 1AM and 4AM.

And as Always:

• Don't get crazy with critiquing my grammar. I know it's Transantarctic Mountains. But I seem to use Trans Antarctic, TransAntarctic and Transantarctic. And I don't feel like reprocessing all the video just to be consistent - just so you don't get confused.
• Some of the videos show less than stable camera control. Go easy on me. It's hard to hold the video camera still when a) it's really cold and windy, b) flying through turbulence. That's just the way it is.

The South Pole:

One day, 1700 miles and a quick run around the world. Not many people make it down to the South Pole but the stars aligned and I made the trip of a lifetime. 

YES.... The South Pole run WAS THE adventure of a lifetime. I'll never forget the few minutes I spent at the bottom of the world. Unreal. I can't explain it, so I won't try to explain it.

The Global View:

Where was I? All over. Fosdick Mtns, Transantarctic Mtns, South Pole and McMurdo Station

some tunes and some pictures:

because I like tunes and pictures

Antarctica - The Wrap Up from Judd Rohwer on Vimeo.

just pics of the adventure down near the bottom of the Earth, i.e., the bottom of THE WORLD

The videos:

The South Pole Run:

Antarctica - South Pole from Judd Rohwer on Vimeo.
Just pics and videos of a South Pole run

The South Pole Tour:

Antarctica - South Pole Station HD from Judd Rohwer on Vimeo.
A quick trip around the world - at the South Pole and Amundson - Scott South Pole Station

A Tour of McMurdo Station:

Antarctica - McMurdo Tour from Judd Rohwer on Vimeo.
Just cruising around McMurdo Station, Antarctica

The Crazy Weather at McMurdo Station:

Antarctica - The Weather from Judd Rohwer on Vimeo.
Condition '2' at McMurdo - Condition 1 at all other nearby places

Spending time above the Transantarctic Mountains:

Antarctica - Great Traverse & Graves from Judd Rohwer on Vimeo.
Check out the vehicles on the Great Traverse and flying around the Transantarctic Mtns

The Fosdick Mountains:

Antarctica - Fosdick from Judd Rohwer on Vimeo.
videos of the terrain around Fosdick Antarctica

The Fosdick Mountains - Again:

Antarctica - Fosdick Trip 2 from Judd Rohwer on Vimeo.
Flying around Fosdick - Antarctica