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Old 09-06-2012, 23:49   #1
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Hello from the South Pole

I'm stuck on the hard in a major way spending a Summer/Winter season working at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.

I brought down Gemini Spirit, a 1970 Mercator Offshore 30, in August of 2010 from Seattle to Portland, then left to work down here with plans to ready her for a trip to Hawaii the spring of 2013.

The goal being to do it for as little cost as possible since my funds are quite limited. This is why she currently has a Honda 9.9 on the back since the original MD2B is quite dead.

Thought I would join up here and on sailnet; since I'm far from water and the temps are currently -70F, I might as well read about sailing and outfitting. I've also been reading a lot of the material on S/V Nomadness and this appears to be one of Steve's hangouts.

I keep details on sailing topics in general, and items specific to my current boat here:
https://www.subtend.net/wiki/blog

I brought some Dyneema down with me and have been practicing my modified brummels and soft shackles. Love that stuff. I'll probably be going the Dynex Dux route for standing rigging when I get back in November.
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Old 10-06-2012, 02:06   #2
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Re: Hello from the South Pole

Welcome nentis! Nice place the save some money you choosed How about some kiteskiing, anyway you have a lot wind and snow down there..
A quickie question.. what time zone you actually are?
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Old 10-06-2012, 04:27   #3
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Re: Hello from the South Pole

Welcome aboard, Nentis! Brrrrrr!
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Old 10-06-2012, 05:22   #4
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Re: Hello from the South Pole

Welcome Nentis from a fellow Polie!
Since my last Winter at Pole in 08, I've spent three years in Iraq and I'm now in Afghanistan. I'd trade places with you if I could though with around 10 days to go before midwinter, I know a little of what you're going through right now. I hope you have a big bash planned and a good music scene like we had in 08.
I haven't done a whole lot of sailing yet but I hope to do more soon. I plan to do some more sailing on my next R&R (early October) in NJ and Costa Rica though the weather in both places won't be ideal, colder in NJ and wetter in Costa Rica...Hang in there, you'll be sailing soon enough. Enjoy the rest of the winter at Pole. It's a special experience.
Best Wishes
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Old 10-06-2012, 06:07   #5
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Re: Hello from the South Pole

Stay warm and keep dreaming. Hope the time at the pole is really adding to your cruising kitty.

George
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Old 10-06-2012, 06:34   #6
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Re: Hello from the South Pole

Welcome aboard nentis! From your polar opposite! Not really, I'm at Lat.59 N. I have worked my closer though. Sounds like you are having a time of it at -70, stuff doesn't work well at that temp.. Good luck with your plans, do be safe, and do save the nickels and dimes, they do add up. All the best.
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Old 10-06-2012, 08:15   #7
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Re: Hello from the South Pole

Antarctic? Whoa!

Man, If you could get paid for how much I envy you ... you would not have to spend too much time out there!

I bet it must be a fantastic thing to be in the Antarctic!

Warmest regards from Canary Islands
(24 degs cent inside, 27 outside)

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Old 10-06-2012, 09:05   #8
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Re: Hello from the South Pole

Welcome to the forum....and I thought -40 was cold when I worked in the North West Territories!
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Old 11-06-2012, 06:31   #9
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Re: Hello from the South Pole

Thanks for the warm welcomes.

Hey TeddyDiver, we follow New Zealand time which is currently NZST (-12UTC). This is because most of the logistics fly out of Christchurch, NZ (for 2 of 3 stations).

IceDog, hey there! Hess says hi and has nothing but wonderful things to say about you. We're having pretty good season this year (my first). Olander is also here. Given the description of the music scene of '08, this year is in no way comparible. I practice the drums weekly and I have little techno studio setup in the NOC where I brought down some synths.

If you want get a hold of me via email: kristopher.amundson.contractor@usap.gov (not worried about spam since this email addr goes away in November)

Yikes, 3 minutes left on the satellite, gotta run!
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Old 12-06-2012, 11:47   #10
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Re: Hello from the South Pole

I'm glad you're having a good winter Kristopher. I have many wonderful memories of my time there and feel a little jealous of you right now.
Give my warmest regards to Katie and Jon. They are two great people.

My only boats right now are an 18 foot panga and two kayaks shared by a couple of friends in Costa Rica. We are all part time residents so it works well to share. I hope to get on a schedule of working contracts on the Ice again and get to spend more time in Costa Rica. I would like to have a sailboat to add to the fleet there. The Golfo Dulce is absolutely beautiful for boating.
BTW Katie and Jon will tell you that I decided to move to Costa Rica about two thirds of the way through my last winter at Pole.
Stay safe
Kevin
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Old 03-07-2012, 11:57   #11
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Re: Hello from the South Pole

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Good to have you spending your free time on the forum.
kind regards,
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Old 05-07-2012, 10:23   #12
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Re: Hello from the South Pole

Hello Nentis ....
Spent the '94 - '95 season in Palmer Station.... a lot warmer than the pole but nonetheless isolated ....

cheers and happy sailing.... currently on my 40' steel sloop in San Carlos Mx ...

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Old 05-07-2012, 14:10   #13
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Brrrrrrrrr!!!!

Re dynex lots of good info on Brion Toss forum spartalk he regularly posts as well as a lot of very exp riggers. I used it for my lowers on my main mod brummell on top, served long tucked on bottom. Lots of blisters that stuff is stiff. Too early to tell how it will work but happy so far.
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Old 05-07-2012, 15:10   #14
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Re: Hello from the South Pole

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, nentis and millstb_1.
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Old 05-07-2012, 15:12   #15
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Re: Hello from the South Pole

Hi Nentis,

Maybe this will make you feel warmer...

In MN 2 days ago:
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