Rescue mission to Antarctica

[SpoonfulOSugar]

Fascinating challenge underway for those tasked with caring for the health of the team of researchers at the South Pole.

Someone is ill enough that pilots are undertaking a risky middle of the winter trip:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2016/06/16/a-rare-risky-mission-is-underway-to-rescue-sick-scientists-from-the-south-pole/

I remember when the scientist treated her own breast cancer back in 1999.  It's interesting to read of the difficulties and dangers - when not facing them myself.

[Maggie Mae]

I saw this headline today and wanted to read more, but Washington Post won't let me look at them anymore without subscribing to a newsletter which I do not want. Here's a wired version of the story for anyone who has a similar problem http://www.wired.com/2016/06/rescue-scientist-south-pole-middle-winter/

Either way, interesting story! Its so fascinating to me that Antarctica is so similar to outer space with the remoteness and inability to just "get help" when needed. We have a few of those places left in North America but they are so few and far between, and help is still available within a few days, weather permitting.

[Suz8710]

Thanks for posting! I remember a few months ago being fascinated reading that one of the big banks has an ATM in Antartica, and why/how it's there. I hope that research scientist makes it back and gets the care he/she needs.

[Howl]

On 6/17/2016 at 5:50 PM, SpoonfulOSugar said:

I remember when the scientist treated her own breast cancer back in 1999.  It's interesting to read of the difficulties and dangers - when not facing them myself.

Sadly, Jerri FitzGerald (age 57)  passed away in 2009 from a recurrence of breast cancer.  If you're interested, her book, Ice Bound: A Doctor’s Incredible Battle for Survival at the South Pole, is a good read and offers a compelling description of conditions encountered while wintering over at the South Pole.