Basler Fueling at South Pole October 16, 2010 by Ella Derbyshire

After eight months of isolation from the outside world, it is great to see the first planes of summer arrive at the South Pole.

This Basler, which is a modified DC-3, stopped briefly at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station on this clear and quiet Staurday afternoon. The purpose of the visit was to take on fuel for the flight from Rothera to McMurdo.

You will notice a lot of white fog in the area of the plane. It is caused by the exhaust plumes from the station and the contrails from the plane. In really cold weather, contrails can make it extremely difficult to work around a plane.