Life in McMurdo (short documentary)

While browsing around on YouTube, looking for Antarctica-related stuff, I ran across the following short (8 minute) documentary about life in McMurdo, made about a year ago. You get a pretty good idea of some aspects of life down there, as well as a chance to see the sort of folks who choose to do this.

There are several shots of the cafeteria and kitchen (where John's working), as well as shots of the grounds. Enjoy.

Antarctica Q and A

John's employer is NANA Services, LLC, which is a subcontractor to Raytheon Polar Services Company (the primary contractor to the National Science Foundation).

NANA provides culinary, housekeeping, recreation, and retail services. Their website has a PDF which describes the job openings for the 2011 - 2012 Summer season.

NANA website has another PDF entitled "Questions and Answers About Our Antarctica Project ," which is targeted to prospective employees. It's a good overview of what one would expect in terms of day-to-day life while on the Ice.

As a side note, NANA Services is part of the NANA Development Corporation, which is a by product of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), a legal agreement the Federal Government reached with Alaska Natives. NANA's primary shareholders are the 12,500 Iñupiat of Northwest Alaska. I guess if anyone would know cold, they would.