A year can pass by so quickly. On 19 January we celebrated our one-year anniversary here at the Neumayer III Station. One year ago today, the “Polarstern” dropped anchor at the north shore and we first set foot on the ice shelf and in the station. It was our first time riding with the Skidoos and snowcats, and our first chance to see the observatories, offices, workshops, workrooms and breakrooms that are now so familiar to us. The station has become our home, but it will soon be time to say goodbye to that home: on 17 January we welcomed the 42nd overwintering group to Neumayer III – an amiable group who we’re now introducing to their new tasks, and who will hold down the fort at the Neumayer III Station all next winter.
For us, that means many of the things we did for the first time a year ago, we’ll soon be doing for the last time: the last time venturing onto the sea ice to take a measurement or to watch the penguins, seals and icebergs; the last time traveling to the edge of the ice shelf to rendezvous with a supply ship – this season, it was the “Malik Arctica”; the last time gazing in awe at the picturesque sky over the Antarctic, or losing yourself while staring into the vast expanses of snow and ice. And the last time enjoying the unbelievable silence and solitude inherent to this place.
Image Gallery
But endings also mean the start of something new, and we’re all looking forward to seeing our friends and families – and to finding out what comes next for each of us.
We want to thank all of our many readers for joining us on this adventure, and for their wonderful comments. We, the 41st overwintering group at the Neumayer III Station, bid you a fond farewell.
Warmest regards from the Deep South. Take care and stay healthy,
The 41st ÜWI Team