MacTown

Bordering the shores of a frozen-over ocean, tucked under the world's most southernly active volcano, and alien colony to the occasional lost Adelie penguin, lies McMurdo Station, aka: "MacTown."

MacTown is the thriving hub of Antarctica. With around 3,000 scientists, support workers, artists/filmmakers, and visitors each summer, it is the largest base on the continent. It takes plenty of resources to conduct research-let alone survive-in this harsh environment, and McMurdo plays a key role in the success of any scientific endeavors this far south! I'll be flying in and out of the base a few separate times (restocking food, repairing engines, analyzing data, working in the lab, and enjoying heated buildings and showers!), however, for the most of my stay, I'll be camping in the Dry Valleys. In the mean time, I thought I'd fill ya in on city life of the Antarctic...


While it looks like some sort of industrial-moon-base from the outside, MacTown is full of culture and life on the inside. It feels alot like a college campus, only a college campus that requires a helicopter ride to class... The people in town are lots of fun, everyone is excited to be here, and has a story to tell. And when the weather permits, the views are spectacular!




Here's a quick look around the base:

The outskirts of town

Troll under the bridge

Greenhouse (equipped with hammocks)

Aquarium inside of Crary Lab

The Fire Brigade


Grocery Shopping


The Berg Field Center

Scott's Hut


Some McMurdo Facts:

- There are 3 bars, a 1 lane bowling alley, and an ATM
- 60% of waste is recycled
- Winter population is around 200
- It is built on bare volcanic rock
- Around 8 million gallons of fuel is shipped to the station each summer
- The Antarctic Treaty, "the law of the land," is signed by over 45 nations and is the governing factor for USAP participants