QUESTION: 
I have found somthing in the paper about Antarctica and at my school 
(Holy Cross) we are also doing a project on Antarctica.  I would like to 
ask, how do you survive in the cold down there and do you think the 
penguins are fun?  Also has any had frost bite and had there 
finger fall off.  

           Thank you!
                From Melissa M.
        

ANSWER from Mary Lenox, ASA, Administrative Coordinator
            Palmer Station, Antarctica
            Wed, 19 Feb 1997 16:57:08 -0500


Hi, Melissa!

Palmer Station is located on the west coast of the Antarctic 
Peninsula above the Antarctic Circle so it isn't as cold here or as 
dark as it is at the other two United States Antarctic stations.  
It's as cold here during the winter as it is in Minnesota so we just 
dress appropriately and when we get cold, we come inside to warm up.

Yes, I do think the penguins are fun.  They are very comical to 
watch.  My favorite species of penguin in this area are the Chinstrap 
penguins.  I saw one Macaroni penguin once.  He looked out of place 
surrounded by Adelies, but he was very beautiful with his shocking 
orange wisps on top of his head.

No one while I have been on station, a total of 19 months, has had 
severe frost bite.  A couple of cheeks have been nipped, but nothing 
dangerous.  The people who might get really bad frostbite are the 
folks who participate in expeditions skiing from one point to 
another.  They are likely to be outside in the elements all day and 
don't have the opportunity to come inside to warm up.  They only have 
their tents at night.

Cheers, 
Mary Lenox