BY SUSAN R.EATON, EXPLORER CORRESPONDENT, JANUARY 2011

MV Professor Molchanov at anchor near the Western Antarctic Peninsula and framed by the arch of a sculpted iceberg

I began by assembling the basics for my field trip to Antarctica and South Georgia: surface geology maps, topographic maps, hiking boots, wool socks, a back pack and two digital cameras. My gear list soon ballooned to include a hydrophone, an Iridium satellite phone, a laptop computer, an Arctic-rated dry suit (which doubles as a survival suit), flares, an underwater camera housing, long underwear, a parka, mitts, hats and knee-high rubber boots. Three hundred and fifty pounds (of equipment) later, I was rigged for a modern-day geology and geophysics field trip to the bottom of the world. I was ready to tackle one of the harshest climates on Earth. MORE>>>

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