Libsyn Directory

158_Mawson_Station

Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica

Phil Law and J. Lauritsen Lines join forces to finally get the ANARE a continental toehold.

157_The_Final_Experiment

Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica

What do you get if you cross religion with flat Earthers and Antarctica? A cross podcaster and little else.

157_Libertarians_on_ice

Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica

Coming back at yer, six months late and barely on topic, episode 157 addresses the increasingly loud and dunderheaded online chatter about escaping society and trying to establish society, only with more ice and surprise cannibalism. Libertarians probably don't listen to my output, but any that do can dig a well, actually, and throw themselves down it before getting in touch to try to correct me on where I got their politics, reading preferences, and predictions about their Antarctic ventures wrong.

155_TAE_and_IGY_foreshadowing

Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica

You don't just throw a Trans-Antarctic Expedition or an International Geophysical Year together. These things take planning. Here's some background on the planners and introductions to some of the doers.

154_Macquarie_Island_catch_up

Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica

Several years of Macquarie Island winters receive attention as I chill out under a Casuarina after several fraught months.

153_A_furtive_summiting_And_The_Frontier_Below

Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica

I give voice to another almost but not quite lost snippet from "Big Dead Place" and I give the microphone to Adam Fitzgerald who voices the introduction to Jeff Maynard's new book, "The Frontier Below."

152_Vodka_in_a_Vegemite_Jar

Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica

In 1983 Australian glaciologist Trevor Hamley joined a Soviet traverse from the Russian coastal station, Mirny, to Dome Charlie, high atop the Antarctic plateau. Bouncing about in the back of a T-55 tank converted into a living quarters/galley/dining space/lab, recording locations on audio cassette tape, wielding a hammer, and ignoring the ideological and political drivers of the cold war in the name of survival, camaraderie, and science, Trevor experienced Antarctica in a unique context at a unique point in history. His book, "Vodka in a Vegemite Jar" recounts his experiences during the...

151_Jeff_Wilson_interview

Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica

Australian Antarctic Division alumnus, Jeff Wilson, recounts his experiences at Australian stations and in the Ross Sea. Road trip with our eldest. Good company at Anglesea. Good food. Good audio. One of the best days 2023 offered up.

150_Shepherds_of_Heard_Island

Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica

The ANARE presence at Heard Island runs to 1955 and switches focus to continental Antarctica. The Island taught Australians to work on glaciers and to run dog teams, saw John Bechervaise cut his Antarctic teeth and lead the first ascent of Big Ben, and claimed the lives of two winterers. "Ice Coffee" leaves Heard Island alone for a bit having documented its reputation as a very difficult place to operate boats, keep sheep, and traverse safely. Don't think Heard Island counts as proper Antarctic? Head to 53 deg S and say that.

149_Heard_Island_Appendices

Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica

ANARE occupation at Heard Island ran short but intense, and sometimes in tents. In addition to large quantities of wind and sleet the island provided a training ground for Antarctic travelers and their dogs. Challenging maritime approaches led to innovative approaches by maritime challengers, and everyone got home safely, this episode.

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