South Pole traverse, the sequel

The South Pole Traverse is making its way to the Pole. This is a convoy of huge tractor-like machines pulling several trailers of cargo, mostly the fuel which powers everything down here.

Normally, fuel is brought in via jets. The Traverse is a much more cost-effective way to get fuel here, but it's much slower. As you can see from the map, they started from McMurdo a few days before I got to Christchurch and won't arrive until after I've left.

This is the first of two traverses this season. I've heard that they're trying to make this a more regular thing so there will be fewer flights. Maybe someday you'll be able to watch a reality show featuring the Traverse!

(Here's a previous post I wrote on the previous Traverse in January.)