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Although there's more than one definition of "the South Pole", the most popularly accepted one (and a travel destination) is a fixed location in the southern hemisphere at the Earth's axis of rotation, latitude 90°S (longitude not applicable). Unlike the North Pole, which is nothing but a sheet of ice floating on the surface of the Arctic Ocean, the geographic South Pole is located on solid ground, allowing a permanent research station to be built at the site of the pole itself. Although it was once an elusive goal that took the lives of many explorers, thanks to modern technology, it has been permanently staffed since 1956, and is now a destination of commercial travel expeditions.

"The South Pole" is also defined geomagnetically. This pole drifts around, and since there's nothing particularly interesting about it other than perhaps watching your compass not work, it receives no visitors. There's also a southern pole of inaccessibility, the point in Antarctica farthest from any coastline. This is a fixed location (barring major sea level changes that might redefine coastlines) at 85°50'S 65°47'E, but as the name suggests, travel to this point is generally impractical.

Climate

It's tempting to say that the climate at the South Pole is consistently bone-chilling cold, but it is not. In December it is bone-chilling cold, with an average temperature of around -28℃ (-18℉). In July it is astonishingly bone-chilling cold, with temperatures sagging to -80℃ (-112℉). (Note that there are no "day-time highs" or "night-time lows" in these figures, because the sun only sets and rises once each year.) Snowfall is scarce; since weather systems rarely penetrate into inland Antarctica and because the temperature is often too low, hence its desert status. The existing snow does drift, however, with winds averaging a modest 12 knots. (At these temperatures, calculating wind-chill factors is fairly pointless.) Antarctica is the coldest, windiest continent on Earth and as such an expedition there surely carries a risk of danger. Freak snowstorms and white conditions (both caused by high winds) can affect South Pole expeditions and have buried the ceremonial South Pole markers (they have to be bulldozed out of the snow usually).

Landscape

The terrain around the South Pole is consistently flat. Ice is fluid enough to settle to a flat surface if left undisturbed, and the underlying rock isn't geologically active, nor is there any rainfall to sculpt it.


Photos from South Pole, Antarctica
The current modular elevated station with the ceremonial South Pole behind it and the geodesic dome to the right
The ceremonial South Pole with the geodesic dome station in the background

There are few formal recreational opportunities at the South Pole.


Photos from South Pole, Antarctica
The ceremonial South Pole with the geodesic dome station in the background
The current modular elevated station with the ceremonial South Pole behind it and the geodesic dome to the right
  • There is a ceremonial south pole at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, consisting of a metal sphere on a red and white pole, partially surrounded by the flags of the signatories of the Antarctic Treaty. Although great for photo opportunities, it is actually about 300 meters from the exact loction of the South Pole.
  • The geographic south pole is marked by a simpler rod with a metal head on it, like a large nail. The ice on which the station sits shifts about 10 meters annually, and a new marker is added each year. There is also a sign bearing quotes from the journals of Roald Amundsen and Robert F. Scott, leaders of the first two successful expeditions to the South Pole. (Scott's party arrived 34 days after Amundsen's, and died on the return trip.)
  • There are three generations of structures at the site: The Old Pole, the original wooden station, built in 1956 and abandoned in 1975, now buried by drifting snow, off-limits for safety reasons. The metallic Geodesic Dome built in the early 1970s, 50 meters wide and 16 meters tall, encloses several modular buildings, partially buried by drifting snow but still in use. The brown Elevated Station begun in 1999, a modular structure built on stilts to prevent snow from accumulating around it. Semicylindrical metal "archways" next to the dome serve as storage, power plant, gym, etc.

Photos from South Pole, Antarctica
The current modular elevated station with the ceremonial South Pole behind it and the geodesic dome to the right
The ceremonial South Pole with the geodesic dome station in the background

Antarctica is (for obvious reasons) the least-visited continent, and the South Pole is (because it is not accessible by sea) the least-visited site in Antarctica that is nominally "open to tourism".

Most expeditions take place in November thru January, during the Antarctic summer/day. They generally launch from Punta Arenas at the southern tip of Chile, stop at Patriot Hills camp in the Ellsworth Mountains on Antarctica, and make the final leg of the trip by air as a day trip to the Pole itself. Some expeditions drop travelers well short of the Pole, leaving them to finish on the ice.

  • Adventure Network [1]. Offers flights several times a year for a chilly US$35,000 per person. Also offers guided treks by ski to the South Pole. Covering the full 1170km from coast to Pole involves an estimated 65 days of skiing, for about 7-9 hours a day, hauling a sled weighing 110-130 lbs (50-60 kg), and the price for the privilege is US$59,000. Alternatively, you can cheat and fly halfway there with the "Ski the Last Degree" package, in which case you'll ski for only about two weeks and pay a mere US$38,500.
  • Arctic Odysseys. [2]. Offers a 10-day excursion to Antarctica, including a day at the Pole.
  • Icetrek, [3]. Offers a week-long excursion by air with one day at the Pole (US$33,500), and 15- to 25-day expeditions cross-country skiing the last 1 or 2 degress (starting at US$38,500).
  • Northwest Passage, [4]. Offers a two-week expedition skiing the last degree to the Pole. US$37,500.
  • Voyage Concepts, [5]. Offers a two-week excursion by air with one day at the Pole, and a 25-day expedition (including all travel time and stopovers) skiing the last degree to the Pole and flying back. Departs from London by way of Buenos Aires. $42,450 and up.

Photos from South Pole, Antarctica
The current modular elevated station with the ceremonial South Pole behind it and the geodesic dome to the right
The ceremonial South Pole with the geodesic dome station in the background

The area of interest around the Pole is quite compact, making it easy to get from one part to another on foot. Venturing farther afield should be done on skis or using base transportation.


Photos from South Pole, Antarctica
The ceremonial South Pole with the geodesic dome station in the background
The current modular elevated station with the ceremonial South Pole behind it and the geodesic dome to the right

Bring your own food


Photos from South Pole, Antarctica
The ceremonial South Pole with the geodesic dome station in the background
The current modular elevated station with the ceremonial South Pole behind it and the geodesic dome to the right

The South Pole contains one of the planet's largest reserves of fresh water, but it's often frozen.


Photos from South Pole, Antarctica
The current modular elevated station with the ceremonial South Pole behind it and the geodesic dome to the right
The ceremonial South Pole with the geodesic dome station in the background