McMurdo Top Model Fashion Show

Even at the bottom of the world, there are catwalks, runways and walk-offs. The only thing we're missing is tiny cell phones and David Bowie, though I expect he'll show up via space craft at any moment.

I went as Petra Rosiere, pink is SO the new black.

Ouuu a model: Mel-A(hhh)-Nie.

Tasty snacks provided by the ever-in-demand Galley Chefs!

Dustin Jolan and Jen are ready for a night on the town!

Molly and Brooks pour a bit of the bubbly.

Here they come! Move it, shake it, make it!
Travis in the lead, followed by Kelli and Brett.

Hot Hot Hot!
Jamie, Cara and Kelli are burnin' up the red carpet!

Time for our close up!

Gracie, ravishing in print, ready to paw at the press!

Zombie attack! Because even zombies have fashion sense.

The bubbly runneth over and floweth freely!

Kelli dances through the crowd in PINK cowboy boots!

Emily, the light of the world, aka Fifi Chamonix,
clad in a Scott Tent as Roy Bean the Body Guard protects her.

From the far North, Brian Tamm and his classy kilt!

Fashionistas! (Kelli, Me, Model, Cara and Emily)

Even MC was shiny!

Cathy strikes a pose!

The Fabulous Baker Boys - Kris, Brian, Kenny and Joseph.

Lovely Ladies of the Vine: Janette and Cynthia.

Our illustrious judges, Roy Bean, Astrid Zeta and Fifi Chamonix.

Fashion Show Grab Bag!

Glam treats included bling bling jewelry and
model-sized snack packs of expired cheetos!

A final word from our sponsors!

McMurdo Top Model Fashion Website (More Photos and Videos).

Last Flight Out

Having spent the entire Summer season in Antarctica before my first Winter, when it came time for that last plane to leave, I wasn't sure what to expect. As you may recall, I was somewhat expecting a profound sense of isolation. As it turned out, it was one of the most interesting, stable and community involved times of my life.

It is interesting to note the difference in my expectations for this Winter. Like most winterovers, I was somewhat relieved to be settling in with the final crew. I am more than ready to wrap a security blanket of darkness and solidity around my shoulders and hunker down into my own little winter world.

Still, this Winter holds it's own possibilities, mysteries and new experiences. And that is definitely something worth toasting.

At 13:30, the Winter crew gathers at the Chalet
to sip some bubbly and wave goodbye to the
final flight out of McMurdo for the next six months.

The NSF Station Representative gives the toast.

Shandra pours and hands out the champagne.

Fellow winterovers, awaiting a visual of the plane.

Justin and Jen sippin' on the bubbly.

Jenn - nervous? excited? or just practicing her penguin puff up?

Clay, whose smile tells us he's quite happy that some people aren't wintering.

Janette. Doesn't she make carhartts look so ski-lodge-chique?

Ahhh yes, me with my Wookie gloves (Beaver)
that Bamma leaves me for the winter.
Nothing goes so well with champagne than Wookie.

Kris rocks the Jackie-O glasses.

Kelli with those sassy safety
glasses that we all know and love.

"Oh really," Larry seems to say.

No wonder Shandra volunteered to pour!

Cathy, Ryan and Brooks looking chill.

Sean and DJ clad in brown are mellow dudes about the town.

Todd, Jonathan and A-Con.

Zachary wonders exactly what he might be getting into
while Larry stands by amused by it all.

Troy and Amanda are about to lose it...already!

Cara got a heads-up fashion tip on proper
"Last Flight" attire from the aliens last night.

Karen, Keri and Kris are excited for summer people to leave!

Poo-Baca is already off his rocker.

Bye Bye plane!

Larry takes a moment to reflect and raises a glass to Winter!

And now...we're in the capable hands of these folks.

Welcome to Winter.

Winterover Survival Training

At the beginning of each winter season, we winterovers are required to complete The Push Course (aka Winterover Survival Training). From recognizing frostnip and frostbite to building a wind wall out of snow bricks and learning to set up a tent in a wind storm, we learn how to survive Antarctia. Remember, "Antarctica is always trying to kill you."

Winterover Survival Training (WOST) is held in the
Science Support Center (SSC).

Kelli is our instructor. She's kind of a badass.
And we graduated from BHS together! Way back in '96.

Kelli gives us the low-down on how to tell which is the front and back
of the tent and tricks for setting up in a wicked wind storm.

There are a few different kinds of tents; we got to practice with all of them.

Look! I'm tying a trucker's knot to secure the
tent to the snow using a Dead Man's anchor.

Here we're learning how to cut snow blocks.

And discussing the best way to construct our wind wall.

Brooks was a little sleepy (and he already knows all this -
he's a badass like Kelli) so he decided to snack on some sunshine.

Here I am priming the fuel can.

And connecting the camp stove to the fuel can, which,
as you can see by my tongue, requires a great deal of concentration.

Lighter ready!

Me Chichi! I make fire!
This is probably the only time I will see an actual fire flame
all season. Otherwise, they have a nice crakling virtual fire
playing on channel 4 on the T.V. on occasion.

And that kids, is how you survive in Antarctica.