This blog is essentially about my need to practice English. I only speak one language, rather poorly, and any chance I get to express myself in writing is probably beneficial for me and detrimental to the reader.
Originally, this blog was started to document my descent into madness during a four-month field season in the Dry Valleys of Antarctica. What happened next was an alteration of my life’s course that I’ve been lucky enough to continue ever since: I now work in both the Antarctic and the Arctic. So while I’ve kept the tagline for the blog the same, I can now say I’m equally terrified in both hemispheres.
Since my original season in the Dry Valleys, I’ve moved up north to the Canadian High Arctic on Ellesmere and Axel Heiberg Islands. Since I’m now working in the North and South I’ve organized my blog depending on hemisphere. For things related to Santa Clause, click on the “Arctic” tab. For things related to penguins, just click on the “Antarctic” tab.
For this year: I headed back to Antarctica this winter in order to explore for life in permanently ice-covered lakes. Yep, ice-diving in Antarctica. I’m back and hopefully posting soon, but maybe for a major news corp… stay tuned.
Come by occasionally and check in for updates. Feel free to ask any questions you might have about what it’s like living at the poles or about the work I do.
Ah, and seeing as social media has ruined any free time we used to have to explore the outdoors, here’s the requisite links for contact and updates:
With warmest regards,
Michael
michael.becker(at)mail.mcgill.ca
All thedryvalleys.com content © 2013 Michael Becker. All rights reserved.
Yikes!
Looks cold, but worse windy.
great pics. like the vid w/ soundtrack
Have fun, keep warm,
Thanks
P
Yikes. Have you read Into the Wild? Be careful…
Nope, never read it, though I did see the movie when I was in Indonesia. Luckily there’s no berries out here to eat.
a good website for you to pass your time with…
http://www.bugsonmyface.com/
Similar Situation and the importance of following it to the end.
I envy and pity you.
But you can be sure I will read every entry.
Skate Everything Faster…
nowax
OK I have to know – who/what is that in the banner picture at the top of your site?
The thing in my banner is a highly degraded corpse of a seal. It’s one of the mummies out here that has been eaten away at by wind and sand, so all that remains are a few scraps of skin and bleached white bones. Pretty cool, eh?
Very Nice work.
Beautiful world, yes?
So glad you are out there – I hope the peace and good vibes you are sending out return very quickly to you…today.
Everyone is closer than you think…
How was breakfast?
The weather on my island is nice…yours?
Best and all our respect, prayers and well wishes.
Cheers,
David
(the black swan)
Breakfast usually consists of cereal and coffee. Lots of coffee.
The weather here is excellent – anywhere between 15F and 35F. Much warmer than the rest of the continent.
Thanks for reading!
wow. incredible photos. what an experience you’re having.stay safe. stay warm.
Awesome blog, man. Really enjoyed your entries. Definitely will be visiting int he future.
Love the blog, got here from reddit now I check everyday. One question, What are you doing there?
Whatever you’re doing, I’m glad you are b/c I didn’t know The Dry Valleys existed and they are too interesting to miss out on.
Keep up the good work.
Never-mind. Just read Science! Can’t wait to see whats next.
I found this link via a fan of NPR, Fahad Hassan.
Great photos. May I ask what camera make/model you use?
Keep moving and stay safe!
Thanks!
I’m using a Nikon D80 and most of my outdoor shots are taken with a 18-135mm lens and a circular polarizing filter.
I’ll bet the stars out there are beautiful. I’m envious!
I just found your blog on Metafilter and spent the last half-hour going through the old posts. Can you see auroras from where you are, or are you too far from the southern magnetic pole?
I have few practical science skills but if McMurdo’s looking to hire an on-site copy editor, let me know!
Nope, no auroras here during this time of year, but during winter people have some incredible photos of the entire sky lit up.
MetaFilter led me here and I am thankful they did. I thoroughly enjoyed reading all your posts. I look forward to reading future posts as well. I have a fondness for Shackleton and The Endurance, thanks for the side story of the other boat. Hard to imagine living on Antartica in the early 1900′s with their primitive equipment.
Best of luck!
Keep up great work. Interesting read and all the best for the rest of the stay.
Ahh, a place just like North Dakota yet much more interesting :)
Thanks for blogging your experiences with the world, this is some of the better reading i have done in a while.
Misty
I was just discussing the dry Valleys with my son which led to a search for some pictures and info.
Finding your site with it’s very well written (yes, I mean that) description of your journey is perfect. I feel I have been there for a brief moment and experienced it personally through your words. Far better and more satisfying than just looking at pretty pictures. You have made the place accessible.
Thank-you
You’re very welcome. Out of curiosity, how did the Dry Valleys come up in conversation? Glad to hear I could provide some info, and who knows, maybe your son could get down there some day.
I really enjoyed this.
Thanks!
My favorite part was : “When Ice Meets Ice”.
The most intriguing place amongst the most intriguing of places!
Thanks!
You know this but your readers don’t
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/12/AR2010041204057.html?hpid%3Dartslot&sub=AR
Excellent, thank you for the link – it really succinctly describes the enviro code we have to follow down there.
You are amazing! I want to go to Antarctica too!
Have you seen those Stats below, you’re doing bloody good! It’s very hard for me to project myself doing whatever you’re doing up North, but I find it interesting
Awesome! absolutely everything i’ve seen here i will have to see up close in person, who can i get in contact with to find out if there is one more open spot on the team for a “fix-everything-build-anything-survive-anywhere-happy-go-lucky” bloke like me? i’ve been looking around for something just like this, and this research project that you have the great privilege of being part of seems like the best start. who must i speak to?
If you’re looking for support work, the best place to start looking is with the private contractors like Raytheon (Antarctic), Polar Continental Shelf Program (Canadian Arctic) and CH2MHill (Greenland). There are more than that but those are the only two I’m familiar with. The private contractors will have the most positions available for general trade jobs, construction, repair, science support, transportation, etc. The other route is contacting specific researchers to see if they need help on their teams. Be dedicated. Goodluck with your search!
Dear Michael,
I am a college professor in Chicago, the Windy City. I understand that the winds in the dry valleys are high and sustained. Would your research facility be interested in a team of engineering students designing and installing a wind powered generating system for your research facility? If so, I work with interdisciplinary teams of engineers at Illinois Institute of Technology, and we would be interested in working with you to design such a system.
Best wishes,
Blake Davis
Adjunct Professor
Industrial Technology and Management
School of Applied Sciences
Illinois Institute of Technology
3300 S. Federal St.
Chicago, Illinois 60609
312-567-3000
blake.davis@iit.edu
I am going to be looking into physical geography graduate programs soon. How did you get involved in a research program in Antarctica in the first place?
Hi Eric,
I got involved by cold calling and getting in touch with everyone I could find that did research in the Antarctic. (This is after a several years of prior field work and ourdoorsy stuff).
If you are trying to get into a graduate program first, and then get down to Antarctica as a student you will have a much easier time than finding a job as a temporary field assistant.
Have a google and see what names you come across for programs, and when you find one my best advice is this: be persistent. Very persistent. And best of luck.
I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve commandeered one of your excellent time lapse videos for a post on our Transition Towns blog.
http://transitionwivenhoe.blogspot.com/2011/09/that-time-of-year-again-part-3.html
Let me know if it’s a problem and I’ll find a replacement – though yours is by far the most tuneful.
Hi There,
I am doing an Inquiry Project on The Dry Valleys for school and stumbled across your site. Would it be alright if I quoted a couple of things you have said/mentioned on this site? I found it very helpful and it was great to get somebody’s point-of-view on the Dry Valleys and your experience there. Would that be alright? And if it is, could I please get your name? I need to include a source. (: Cheers.
Fantastic site by the way ;)
Hi Celeste, feel free to shoot me an email for any questions you might have: michael.becker(at)mail.mcgill.ca
hi i have some questions about the dry valleys and getting over there…can anyone and everyone that might be able to help answer some questions please let me know a good way to contact you or just email me at jacobngardner@gmail.com … Thanks Jacob