Dumb asses

Current Temp Ambient:  23    Windchill:   9
Windspeed (knots):    13
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Not the most polite blog title perhaps, but do consider the source.

Next month marks the 100th anniversary of the first successful expedition to the South Pole.  Though Robert Falcon Scott is perhaps most well known (because he died and had a more dramatic trip), he actually led the second expedition to reach the South Pole.  He was beaten by about 5 weeks by a Norwegian, Roald Amunsden.   He was beaten in more ways that one; not only did Amunsden get there first, he also made it back and lived to tell the story.  Some say Scott was greedy, took too many men for his provisions, and refused to dump any of his samples.  So he schlepped rocks around and as a result, suffered what must have been an awful, horrible, slow, painful death, as did his men.

There are lots and lots of books available on the subject of the OAEs (Old Antarctic Explorers), if you are interested, a simple Google search will yield a ton of results, especially with the 100th anniversary upon us.  Personally, I liked Shackleton's Endurance, but there are many, many others that I'm sure are great.

This anniversary is expected to bring the dumb asses out in droves.  Why do I call them "dumb asses" and not "adventurers" or "heroes," you ask?  Because this is Antarctica.  The harshest continent on the planet.  Unprepared, ignorant people die here trying to do things like ski to the South Pole.  It reminds me of those who try to climb Mount Everest and require Sherpas and oxygen tanks, which they often leave behind, cluttering the very natural wonder they risk their lives to see with trash and bodies.  You simply cannot "conquer" a mountain, or the most extreme place on earth.  Treat it with some respect, put together a plan, gather some useful information, spend lots of time acclimating, and sure, go for it without my harsh judgement.  Unfortunately, more often than not, well...dumb asses.

Last year some Norwegians died trying to be mavericks and do it their own way http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4720296/Search-for-Berserk-suspended).  They loaded their boat up with ATVs and all sorts of unnecessary gear.  Of course my heart goes out to their friends and family, but people who take stupid risks and take their own lives into their hands also risk the lives of would-be rescuers.

McMurdo has already seen the first of what is expected to be many dumb asses this year.  Three Brits were dropped of at the ice edge and spotted yesterday dragging their equipment directly over our fuel lines.  So while trying to "conquer" this natural wonder, they put this beautiful, nearly pristine place at great risk of a hazardous waste nightmare by skiing directly over fuel lines.  Luckily our fuels department is top notch and nothing bad happened.  Yet.  They are on skis.  I wish them all a safe and successful, well planned, respectful trip, I really do.

I'm not optimistic.

Dumb asses.