Surviving At 80 Degrees Below Zero - Global Classroom

Dear David,

I am writing to you to find out some information on Antarctica for a report. Do you know how people in Antarctica survive at 80 degrees below zero. Also do you know any information on ice deserts in Antarctica. Last do what kind of food do you eat. Is it good? We need this information for a presentation in Geography. If you can send this quickly we would appriciate it. Thanks a lot.

From Samantha, Heather, Austin, and Ronnie [email protected]

Hi Samantha, Heather, Austin, and Ronnie,

Please write back and let me know what grade you are in, and where in the world your school is located.

So far, I have only seen -76F wind chill, so I have yet to experience -80F. I will say that -76F is a bit nippy. Your skin can freeze in less than 30 seconds. When my skin has caught the wind, it is painful instead of cold. We are supplied very good cold weather gear in New Zealand before the trip down. Most of the time, I work inside, and just wear jeans and a sweatshirt. I am living in a desert. Antarctica is the coldest, driest, and windiestV ViewAttch 62%I am living in a desert. Antarctica is the coldest, driest, and windiest place on earth. The humidity is 5-10%, and I have never seen a plant growing outside. If you look up the meaning of desert in a dictionary, you will see that a desert does not need to be a hot place.

We have a cafeteria, which serves 3 meals a day. The food is varied, and is usually very good. This time of year, we do not get any fresh food. The next fresh food will arrive in September. Sometimes the food is out of date, but I eat it anyhow. Today at lunch, I used some grated cheese on my spaghetti, and it was dated Nov. 95. The other week, the cheese I got was dated APR 94. When I went camping they gave us 2-3 year out of date juice boxes, and Yoohoo. Sometimes certain food items get in short supply. Last winter almost all the sodas froze, and all that was left was Diet Mountain Dew. Soda and other heavy food items only arrive by ship in February. I hope this helps,

Dave David Hess NK3T [email protected] Presently living in beautiful downtown McMurdo, Antarctica.

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