McMurdo Station from a small aircraft

Sea ice at McMurdo Sound

Fred Walton on a primitive snowmobile at McMurdo Station

Scientists during survival training exercise prior to debarking for South Pole

Survival exercises prior to debarking for South Pole

A mummified seal in an Antarctic dry valley near McMurdo Station. This seal could be hundreds of years old

The Amundsen-Scott Memorial at South Pole Station

The Transantarctic Range as seen while flying to South Pole Station

Ski-equipped C-130 taking off from the South Pole

Ski-equipped C-130 on its way back to McMurdo Sound from the South Pole.

United States flag marks the geographic South Pole.

Fred Walton proving that it's optional whether to walk upside-down or right-side up at the South Pole. Just kidding!

Fred Walton helping out at the snow hole - a site for studying recent layers of South Pole snow buildup and precipitation.

Layers of snow in the snow hole.

Layers of snow in the snow hole. Note yearly dates in upper right corner of photo.

South Pole Station in the summer of 1968.

Adjusting antenna at South Pole Station

Coming down from adjusting antenna after 2 hours in 50 below zero weather

Construction zone at the South Pole

Construction zone at the South Pole

The last plane at South Pole Station before the fall sunset

Kicking up a little loose ice and snow during takeoff. The last plane at South Pole Station before the fall sunset

The last plane at South Pole Station taking off before the fall sunset

The last plane out leaving for McMurdo Station

Main street of the South Pole Station

Sastrugi - windsculpted snow

Sastrugi - windsculpted snow

The library at South Pole Station

Fred Walton getting wired up for sleep/brainwave experiments

Fred Walton ready for ghostbusters - the truth is out there! Really Fred was wired up for a sleep/brainwave medical experiment.

Fred Walton working on scientific equipment at South Pole Station.

The coming Spring heralded by twilight in mid-September

The coming Spring heralded by twilight in mid-September

The coming Spring heralded by twilight in mid-September

The first sunrays illuminating the generator exhaust at South Pole Station

Aerial view of McMurdo Sound Station.

C-141's on the tarmack at Honolulu on the way to New Zealand stopover.

Cockpit of C-141 flying over approach to Antarctic continent

What the well-dressed scientist wears at South Pole Station.

Passing over coastal Antarctic mountains on the way to McMurdo Sound Station.

Passing over coastal Antarctic mountains on the way to McMurdo Sound Station.

Setting foot on Antarctic soil ( maybe ice would be a better term.)

Antarctic headquarters of the National Science Foundation at McMurdo Sound

A view of the facilities at McMurdo Sound Station

Active volcano Mount Erebus overlooks McMurdo Station

Mount Erebus sheathed in a white mantle - the incongruity of fire and ice

Mount Erebus blowing off a little steam

A view near McMurdo Station

A view near McMurdo Station

Cross erected on Observation Hill, a 600-foot cinder cone. A memorial to the Scott Expedition. Inscription reads: To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.