Christo Rix remembers tough challanges of Antarctica
Mechanical engineer Christo Rix recently shared his experience of surviving the Antarctic with the Rotary Club of Boksburg Lake.
He was part of the SANAE IV research team, stationed in Antarctica, for a period of three months.
SANAE IV is the current research base of the South African National Antarctic Expedition and is part of the South African National Antarctic Programme.
The base is staffed and maintained year-round by a team of scientists and support personnel.
A total of 94 people were gathered at the base during his stay.
Christo explained to the Rotarians that one learns very quickly to appreciate what you have and to enjoy it, especially when you find yourself living in such a strange and hostile environment.
One of the best and moral memories he shared was of having a braai in minus three degrees, while a low was having to deal with water restrictions (the base needs a certain amount of water to function and very little is available for personal use).
“Views from the bedroom and offices were just amazing,” said Christo, who works in the construction and building industry.
“Good meals were also very important, as was the ability to have fun and to relax.
“Construction in general was extremely difficult, including paint work, fitting carpets or laying under floor heating, as everything had to be anchored against winds of 130km per hour.
“There were also blizzards, which made visibility very difficult.”
He said they saw their first sunset only after a whole month, and after that it never got completely dark again during their stay.
Christo said he will always remember his stay in Antarctica as one of extreme contrasts.
“It is a place of the weird and the wonderful, the merciless and the beautiful, endless days without dark nights, of sunburn and freeze, of joys and heartbreak,” he explained.
“Sometimes even living and breathing can be dangerous there.”
