John Long (2) (1957–)

Australian paleontologist John Long recounts two fossil-collecting trips to Antarctica, the second of which, in 1991, involved spending several months inland with 3 other scientists. He colorfully describes the training required for acceptance to an Antarctic research program, life on the ice, especially for long periods out in the mountains, and the types of fossils to be found, many of which are also found across all the southern continents, providing further details of how the super-continent Gondwana broke apart into the distinct continents we have today. During the months on the ice, the scientists had regular radio contact with Scott Station (the New Zealand station very close to McMurdo), but they otherwise had only each other for companionship. Rest periods and weather-related confinements were occasions for writing up notes, reading in various scientific fields, playing games, and reading lighter materials, sometimes to each other. One story they shared was Lovecraft's "At the Mountains of Madness", and their enjoyment spurred me to reread that as well. I also like the author's affinity for Australia's Sir Douglas Mawson, whose own solo journey over 100s of miles of Antarctica after the death of his companions remains my favorite adventure story, as Mawson himself remains my favorite explorer.… (meer)