Antarctic Expeditions: When the Work Begins

Antarctic scientific campaigns typically start in October or November, coinciding with the Southern Hemisphere’s summer. This period is chosen for its longer daylight hours and ”warmer” temperatures, which make fieldwork more feasible.

🌡️ Quick Fact: Don’t let the term ”warmer” fool you! We’re talking about temperatures averaging around −35∘C (−31∘F).

These frigid conditions are no challenge for our trusted Alpina snowmobiles! They’ve been a reliable fixture on the Antarctic plateau for nearly twenty years, from the former Sherpa 1.4 to the Sherpa 1.6, and now the Superclass 1.2.

Pictured: a Superclass 1.2 in use at the Dome-C station (ph. credits: PNRA / IPEV)