Ice Coffee: the history of human activity in Antarctica (Contemporary)

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 preparation for and during the traverse in compelling prose that keeps one eye on the immediacy of the narrative and another on the forty year perspective 2023 affords on his time in the back of a Kharkovchanka.
Introduced to Trevor by Jeff Wilson, who recounts his own Antarctic tale in episode 151, I spent an afternoon with the Hamleys after reading a galley proof copy of the manuscript. I listened intently as Trevor mapped the overall arc of the story he recounted in his text as well as the story of bringing that text together. Fortunately I remembered to press record on the Zoom H4N, so you get to listen intently, too.

I am proud to bring "Vodka in a Vegemite Jar" to the attention of "Ice Coffee" listeners and I encourage them to head to https://www.trevorhamley.com/ to see what's on offer for $30 plus postage.
My copy arrived in the mail today and I'm over the moon to see the finished product in its colour illustrated glory. That's going straight to the pool room.

Direct download: 152_Trevor_Hamley.mp3
Category:Contemporary -- posted at: 7:54pm EDT

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.

Direct download: 151_Jeff_Wilson.mp3
Category:Contemporary -- posted at: 11:00pm EDT

Professor Meredith Nash spent two years studying and reporting on the culture within the Australian Antarctic Division.  Their findings, released late in 2022, may prove a turning point in the history of Australia's presence in Antarctica.  Professor Nash spoke to me about their research and their experiences in Antarctica as part of the inaugural Homeward Bound voyage.

Michael Marshall knows more about the flat Earth movement than anyone who doesn't believe the Earth is flat, and many of those who do, too.  Marsh spoke to me about how Antarctica fits into the history of and the models put forward by flat Earth adherents. 

Finally, an important update about the past and the future of "Ice Coffee."

Direct download: 146_Professor_Nash_and_Marsh.mp3
Category:Contemporary -- posted at: 12:30am EDT

I haven't interviewed other Antarctic podcasters because that would make for dull content.
"Do you press record?  Wow!  I do, too!  Hey, how good is Audacity?  Antarctica's cold, huh?"
This episode I interview Samantha Hodder about her Antarctic podcast because the stories told in her series, "This Is Our Time," lie so far outside those recounted in my series that there's a lot to discuss beyond the bones of the medium.
 

Direct download: 143_Samantha_Hodder_This_is_our_Time.mp3
Category:Contemporary -- posted at: 7:39am EDT

Thomas Walkington speaks about the wreck of the Pegasus and his time on the ice as part of VXE-6.
Jim Butler showers praise on me and my output after discussing how he engages with Antarctica from half a world away.
Jeff Maynard maps how he chose what to include and what to leave out of his most recent book about Sir Hubert Wilkins.

Strap your ears in, folks.
This is a big 'un. 


While theft is rare in circumstances where most needs and wants are catered to by management other crimes occur in Antarctica with surprisingly monotonous regularity, given the small numbers of people in the far south at any given moment. 
Other podcasts have dedicated episodes to the matter but that doesn't mean I shouldn't cover it too, so I did.
The Australian Antarctic Division recently announced it was decreasing alcohol allowances and banning home-brew.  In part the change was geared to make women feel safer on base.  It doesn't deal with the root cause of that problem but if it helps bring about positive change then that's something.  We already tried doing nothing and it didn't work. 


 

Direct download: 127_Crime_in_Antarctica.mp3
Category:Contemporary -- posted at: 4:18am EDT

A formal book review of "With Scott Before the Mast," an informal review of "Operation Deep Freeze II Gooney Birds," and interviews with Associate Professor Priscilla Wehi, Elodie Camprasse, and Evan Townsend. 


In this episode I fail to respect, let alone defer to, religious beliefs and the artifacts and structures dedicated to various deities' alleged glory while recounting the ongoing story of religion at high southern latitudes.  
Happy to take debates on the merits of religion generally or your religion specifically if this outing causes sufficient umbrage.  I've got a podcast for exactly that sort of dialogue and it's rare it gets an airing because most local theologians know to give me a wide berth.  Come at me if you need to.  Perspective adjustments on the merits of the apologia you've been fed by your faith leaders provided free.
Ice Coffee: brewing up, blaspheming, and shedding brittle snowflakes unable or unwilling to present a compelling case that I should respect their faith, let alone adopt it. 

Direct download: 124_Religion_in_Antarctica.mp3
Category:Contemporary -- posted at: 7:02am EDT

Sean McBride intends taking electric flight to Antarctic and I am excited about it. 
I'm also excited about my own investigations into heading south to follow in Wilkins and Eilson's prop steps but uncertain whether it will or should happen. 

Direct download: 121_Aviation_future_and_past_and_future.mp3
Category:Contemporary -- posted at: 9:55pm EDT

This month, in a very special episode of "Ice Coffee" Amanda Zimmerman shares her insights on life at McMurdo Station.
Timely stuff for those listeners applying for USARP slots for the first time.
Best of luck with your applications, people.

Direct download: 117_Amanda.mp3
Category:Contemporary -- posted at: 7:40pm EDT

I've traveled with Santiago for three austral summers and his humour and humanity have buoyed my moods while his perspectives on the birds we encountered opened my eyes to biological vistas I'd previously not spotted due to my focus on the mud. 
I only just met John Marsden ten minutes before pressing record but his tales of high latitudes aviation warrant further attention than the ten minutes afforded at Seaworks. 
I hope to spend a lot more time in company with these people in the future but until then here's a sonic record of our encounters. 

And some faux advertising to let you know what I've saved you from/what you're missing out on.

Next month, the BGLE get moving. 

Direct download: 095_Santiago_the_ornithologist_and_John_the_pilot.mp3
Category:Contemporary -- posted at: 5:41pm EDT

Two interviews with three fellow Drake Passage crossers and a thunder accompanied decompression after recent upheavals.
Anyone who feels hard done by in the third act is welcome to a right of reply. 

Also putting out my shingle via Patreon once more.
https://www.patreon.com/Ice_Coffee outlines what's on offer in return for financial support but I won't start processing episode releases through the Patreon system until people who signed up years ago have a chance to check they still want to contribute at the levels they pledged. 

Back to history next episode with some more on-site recordings about Lincoln Ellsworth's further efforts to make a name for himself by paying other people to do all the things.

Direct download: 092_Ice_life_art_and_unemployment_4.mp3
Category:Contemporary -- posted at: 11:19pm EDT

The final full episode arising from my trip to Hobart.  Ron Hann, Peter Reid and Rob Nash speak about their time in Antarctica and I bloviate about my favourite podcasts.
Ah, narrowcasting, you path to digression, you. 
I'm hoping the next time you'll hear from me I'll be speaking about November 1928 events at Deception Island at Deception Island in November 2018.

Direct download: 071_ANARE_Club_Part_3.mp3
Category:Contemporary -- posted at: 8:29pm EDT

The second tranche of interviews from my time at the Australian Antarctic Festival in Hobart.  Barry Becker, Denise Alan and Trevor Luff discuss their time with ANARE and I look forward to seeing Dr Brewin in December. 

Direct download: 070_ANARE_Club_part_two.mp3
Category:Contemporary -- posted at: 6:48am EDT

Four of the interviews I recorded at the 2018 Australian Antarctic Festival in Hobart. 
Bob Tompkins, Joe Johnson, Ian Toohill and John Gillies share some fo their experiences in the south and Dave Davies rounds the episode out with some Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

Direct download: 068_ANARE_Club_part_one.mp3
Category:Contemporary -- posted at: 10:45pm EDT

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