shoes/boots

[will]

aside from the issued boots, what shoes should i bring to the ICE?

[will]

[font=Arial:sxb099me]It depends, what job are you doing, you will always need a pair of sneakers… they are good to wear around town when the weather gets nice…[/font:sxb099me]
 
[font=Arial:sxb099me]Chris [/font:sxb099me]
[font=Arial:sxb099me]Antarctic Fire Dept 01-02 02-03[/font:sxb099me]
 

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From: Antarcticmemories@groups.msn.com
To: Antarcticmemories@groups.msn.com
Sent: Monday, July 07, 2003 12:41 AM
Subject: shoes/boots

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[font=Arial, Helvetica, Sans Serif:sxb099me]From: [/font:sxb099me][font=Arial, Helvetica, Sans Serif:sxb099me]arctic_amy[/font:sxb099me] aside from the issued boots, what shoes should i bring to the ICE?

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[thepooles98]

Well first of all don’t count on wearing your issue boots very much. They are huge and uncomfortable, but they will keep you warm if you are outside for an extended period. Most peoples jobs don’t leave them out of doors for any length of time. What you will want to bring are the same kinds of shoes you would wear to work at home. Insulated shoes are nice but not necessary, you can always put on your issue boots if it’s cold. If you are here for a winter send down another pair in case your first pair blows out.
mike

[will]

ok thanks for the info. i was going to bring a nice pair and some sneakers. i will be a load planner. Im pretty sure it is mostly indoor, but sometimes i will be at willy field.

[will]

Amy, you will probably want a pair of more rugged hiking boots/shoes that are waterproof for walking around McMurdo.  It can be muddy and slushy and drifted snow.

[Retcapo01]

Unless they really smoothed out the roads since I wintered there in 1974 & 1977 you may want to make sure your shoes are high tops that will protect your ankles from being sprained. The ‘ground’ there is actually volcanic lava from eons ago from Erebus. Pretty uneven in places with large stones. Cabela’s and most of the good outfitter stores carry good high top hiking boots. Don’t go cheap because the lava is like sandpaper and can degrade soft rubber rather fast.
Bill

[Retcapo01]

Don’t forget a good slip resistent sole. Nothing worse that taking a step into one of the shacks and slipping onto your butt. It’s embarrassing, not to mention painful, to be medi-vaced off the ice with a broken tailbone or worse.
Bill

[thepooles98]

For the most part the roads are graded. That doesn’t mean they are flat, smooth, paved or anything close to that. Most of the large rocks are removed, so you probably won’t twist your ankle while walking to work. That’s not to say, though that it doesn’t happen.
Since Raytheon has taken over there is a huge push toward safety. For us in the winter, the roads are slick and icy. We’ve had enough “slip” training to bore us, but the bottom line is you watch where you step.
The lava is very hard on shoes. Bill is right they will be worn down at the end of the season.  I opt for softer rubber soles. They seem to grip better in the snow, but get worn down fast. I had a nice pair of gortex boots one year. They had a hard rubber sole and were treacherous. I only wore them twice down here and then saved them for when I got back to New Zealand.
Sharon is also right about recreational hikes. You will want a nice pair of hiking shoes to walk to Scott Base or to climb OB hill. That’s what I wear most of the time here. Even in the depth of winter as long as I’m just walking around and not staying out for any length of time.
To keep the baggage weight down, I wear the heaviest pair of shoes on the flight to New Zealand. On the flight to the ice you will be required to wear the issue boots.
mike

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