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South Pole Marker


South Pole Marker
Photo Information
Copyright: Alex Kiefer (kieferal) Silver Note Writer [C: 2 W: 0 N: 39] (277)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 1994-01
Categories: Nature
Camera: Canon A1, Canon 28mm f2.8, Kodak 100 neg, Cokin UV
Map: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Circumpolar - Scenes from earth's polar regions [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-02-23 11:02
Viewed: 3740
Points: 9
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is the marker for the actual south pole. There is a ceremonial marker also. The ice on top of Antarctica is constantly moving a few meters per year, so a new marker is installed once a year. You can see a line of them just to the left of the flag going back into the distance. The station at the south pole was built and is operated by the US Antarctic Program (which is part of the National Science Foundation), so that is why it is a US flag being displayed. The two names on the sign are Roald Amundsen and Robert F. Scott, who were the leaders of the first two groups to make it to the south pole. Amundsen (a Norwegian) beat Scott (a Brit) by a month. Amundsen's group returned from the pole with no problems, while Scott's group all perished on the return trip.

The quote from Amundsen on the sign is:
"So we arrived and were able to plant our flag at the geographical South Pole."

while the quote from Scott on the sign is:
"The Pole. Yes, but under very different circumstances from those expected."

This photo is a little over exposed. With almost everything being white, and very reflective, it is hard to get the exposure right. Also, I used medium quality film. Always use good quality film!!!

Ok, you want to know more about how/why I was at the South Pole. I worked for the company that provided logistic support to the NSF for the scientific research being done there. Over the four years I worked for them I spent about one year in Antarctica, between five separate trips. Most of my time was spent in McMurdo Station (which was on the coast of Antarctica, south of New Zealand and about 800 miles north of the Pole), but I made two trips to the South Pole, one to Palmer Station and a month onboard a research ship, the Nathaniel B. Palmer.

I have a similar photo here
amirkah, Aymeric, Kolyamour, lucinka, maurajn, mitternacht, johnhopkins, ykanu, manutd, berseph, rtome, Emiel_Skyfreak, claire526 has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To jsbedard: Rude commentkieferal 1 04-14 11:05
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Critiques [Translate]

How happen that you reached this point ? Did you go especially for it ? what else is there to see there ?

It's great! Just after opening of Antarctica on TE a picture from South Pole has been posted! Endless ice plato and blue sky of the endless day.
Could you please to write something about your own experience there?
It is really very exotic place!
Thanks for share.
Nikolay

Thanks for the excellent dialogue regarding your experience in Antarctica. I'll give you two points just for being there, and because I know the challenges of light in the polar regions... Hope you will get to posting a lot more photos of your travels!

There is a theme called "Circumpolar" which anyone can add photos to, I hope you will put this and others in that collection! The poles defy political boundaries and are not well known or understood by many people.

  • Great 
  • trip Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 59 W: 0 N: 116] (842)
  • [2005-02-23 20:52]

Thank you for the note, I am fascinated by the markers from previous years indicating movement of the ice. I like the gradation of the sky from white on the horizon to deep blue at the top. Is that a building in the background?

  •      
  • pamastro Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3042 W: 175 N: 2707] (7207)
  • [2005-03-20 16:30]

I think this will remain the only photo of one of the poles for a while. I think just the presence there and the sign give a simple and harsh feel for what must be an extremely harsh environment. And perhaps the quality is a bit harsh, too but again it goes with the place in a way. Simple and unique. It's also nice to see that if I make it to one of the poles one day I can count on my A1 to work in the harsh climate.

Alex,
La photo n'est pas très bonne, mais l'endroit en vaut la peine.
Merci pour le commentaire très intéressant.
max

We just miss a McDonald or Wal-Mart and everything will be OK! USA definitely sucks.

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