Tourists

There are tourists around here. I know, that is hard to believe, but it is true.

The day before I arrived a group of Russians were flown in from somewhere at the coast, just for a few hours, to visit the Pole and the station shop. And a few days ago a group of skiers showed up at here, with their tents, their sleds and skis, and camped in the official tourist area.

You see, tourists are not really allowed here on station. The official South Pole station guide says: “The U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) operates Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, and it is the policy of the USAP that participants in the USAP are not authorized to provide support for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), except in an emergency situation. Reasons for U.S. policy on NGOs include: a requirement not to have NGO activity impact the conduct of science activity and the support of that activity; a requirement for private expeditions to be self-supporting and not rely on USAP for the success or contingency for their expedition, except in emergency situations.”

So the poor skiers were outside the station, in their tents, and since you could see them from the dining hall windows, they were a constant source of amusement for the people in the station whenever visible. The skiers stayed maximum 24 hours, and left with a Twin Otter sometime in the middle of last night. I’m glad I took the tent picture while they were still there…