A tour of McMurdo Station in Antarctica

[@capecodknitter]

Thank you for a great tour! My daughter has been working at McMurdo since the middle of October 2023. I enjoy your videos and posts.

[@Mattykjordan]

My pleasure! This will be exactly what your daughter is seeing :)

[@Hedgy2098]

​@@elsiebert2273wiki has told me it's mostly science things

[@sgtbrown4273]

Then I definitely worked with her awesome people there 😂

[@PinchHarmonic69]

Did she get plowed there?

[@user-rn8hl3ll1y]

Can I ask how your daughter got a job doing this ? Is she in school for this or something ? I am just generally interested

[@rechoice9010]

Wow you're making, Antarctica less of a mystery and more accessible to us, thank you so much❤

[@Mattykjordan]

It’s my pleasure :)

[@yahuahisking5483]

Not really. There's still no free roaming there and they'll never ever let you find out what's really past the ice wall into the areas where admiral Byrd went. Antartica IS NOT all ice and baren land

[@ryanbollerud8792]

​@Mattykjordan yes, thank you! Super Cool!

[@gecko-sb1kp]

Excellent tour. I had no idea McMurdo was that big. It's huge...

[@travisfischer2607]

I hung the bell in the steeple of Chapel of the Snows. My name is written in pencil above it. I also worked on the 200 series dorms, all three phases of Crary, among many other projects, including a summer at South Pole Station. It was a great experience. It’s not for everyone, but if you have an adventurous spirit, and good work ethic, I highly recommend it.

[@Mattykjordan]

That’s awesome! What a cool set of contributions you’ve made!

[@OAE7477]

It's sad that the original Chapel of the Snows that was next to firehouse burned down years ago. A lot of history was lost. There were ornate, unique plaques the crews made that had the names of all the winter over crews along the chapel walls.

[@generalconsumer9520]

​@@OAE7477wow, chapel burns in Antarctica didn't make the news. Name was supposed to stay forever...

[@gdsstarks]

Travis Gene Starks how have you been all these years. I remember you from the first winter you worked at Mcmurdo

[@generalconsumer9520]

@gdsstarks small world. What's his social btw?

[@Biglake92]

Thank you for this particular video. It’s incredible how much science work all of you are doing !! Never thought of McMurdo station being such a huge operation!!!

[@Mattykjordan]

My pleasure :) glad you enjoyed it :)

[@Lettuce-and-Tomatoes]

Wow, that Toyota Land Cruiser is ENORMOUS!!! 😲🤯

[@Mattykjordan]

🤯

[@patbowman6723]

I think I have read or seen everything about Antarctica such as Shackelton, Amundsen, Tom Crean, Peery, and Mawson. I found these men to be so interesting and pretty courageous. Their adventures are amazing, especially Shackelton. I love Antarctica and all the adventures I have had about it. I also saw a 5 min. clip on the hut and it just amazed me that so many men survived together in so little room. I love seeing your short clips as well as your videos. I guess I am in the time around the early 1900s from reading so much I just expected a small building or two, but then I thought how would these people exist for long periods of time. I love everything about Antarctica except the COLD. I would never make it there, I froze when I lived upstate N.Y.. Keep the videos coming I love them and I can stay warm in my home when I watch them in Florida. Thank you very much and try to stay warm.

[@Mattykjordan]

You’re welcome! Thanks for the kind words! ☺️ those early explorers were pretty special men! Glad you’re enjoying the videos :)

[@roserocks1979]

My nerdly heart loved seeing this. Thank you.

[@Mattykjordan]

My pleasure :)

[@cbells__]

Thanks for the tour! I find it funny how a lot of people think Antarctica is desolate with like 0 people kind of looking like the Antarctica map from Overwatch but in reality its much more lively.

[@Mattykjordan]

My pleasure! Yep there is more happening here than people realise

[@brieanastraiton3665]

I came very close to working down there for a 6 mo spin. Would've been working in civil engineering type things. Shortly after i put in the initial application i was diagnosed with MS so i had to pass it up. What i wouldnt do to have had one more year before that shit storm hit my life. Antarctica fascinates me. Love the tour!

[@Mattykjordan]

Aww I’m so sorry to hear that :( what a bummer

[@user-nc3xu8or5w]

Wow this is much bigger then I thought I was thinking 30 people max there

[@GC0444]

Thank you for the video. That's what I missed about McMurdo. For me it is one of the most interesting places on earth. I wish, I could be there one time.

[@Mattykjordan]

My pleasure. It’s a great place to

[@ivanflores-ramirez8105]

It just occurred to me that is a scientific outpost in real life

[@rickburke9876]

Thanks for posting! My son works at the fire department.

[@Mattykjordan]

That’s awesome! What’s his name?

[@user-rn8hl3ll1y]

That's awesome how did he get a job doing that

[@hunt101447]

The vehicle at the 8:24 mark is (was?) one of the airfield crash/fire/rescue vehicles. On my first trip to the ice (91/92 season) it was known as Crash 2. I have a picture of me posing in front of it in full bunker gear.

[@Mattykjordan]

Thanks for that info! 😊

[@kelleywyskiel3478]

Fun! I got to watch this with a commentary from my husband who pointed things out right before you did. And noted the changes. He really loved this. I think Antarctica was his favorite deployment even though it was also his most traumatic. But that’s a whole different story.

[@Mattykjordan]

I’m really glad you both enjoyed it!

[@MorphMixologyReptiles]

I’m an air traffic controller. While the work would probably be very boring, I think a turn here as a controller would be a hell of an experience

[@Mattykjordan]

It sure would be! You should do it

[@KlaxontheImpailr]

It would be a well earned vacation. I can't imagine working under that much stress.

[@OAE7477]

I still remember towing the mobile control tower onto a snow berm at Willy's field in '74 as I watched the last C130 Herc flight of the summer season fade in the distance and we began to settle in for the coming winter. Read the story of the rogue commercial airliner that crashed into the side of Mt. Erebus.

[@OAE7477]

Thanks for the memories. It's really grown since I was there in the '70's. On the back corner of 155, next to laundry, used to be a small library. One of my collateral duty winter over tasks was to sort through and Dewey decimal all the books that had been accumulating there since '57 IGY. All books had been donated from kind people in U.S. and N.Z. I found several valuable collectable books and shipped them back to U.S. where the Navy donated them to good causes. I checked out books to many Scott Base personnel. I lived in the Firehouse my 2 winters. Great view of sound and range. Occasionally a dog or 2 from the Scott Base dog team would break free and meander over the hill to the firehouse. We had great food and were generous. But radioed Scott Base to come get their pups each time, after it's stomach was full of course. 😂

[@Mattykjordan]

That’s amazing you’ve got some great stories! Would you be interested in talking about your experiences on my podcast? It’s called Everything Antarctica and we talk to people who have been south about their experiences?

[@OAE7477]

@@Mattykjordan Sure. What would be timing/logistic's of that? I'm in central U.S.

[@panjimartiandaru3081]

Gerbil gym! I van the Terra buss! 😂😂😂 I love the naming sense. Thank you for the tour! Very interesting!

[@Mattykjordan]

My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bridmills]

I would love to see inside the Chapel. Thanks for this video!

[@Mattykjordan]

I’ve done a short showing the inside :)

[@cheryllucius8084]

Very cool! Thank you for sharing. 😊❤

[@claybowser698]

That was a cool video and very informative. My daughter is there now. She just came in not too long ago on the US Coast Guard ship The Polar Star. This is her second time at McMurdo.

[@Mattykjordan]

That’s awesome! I just put up a post of the polar star :)

[@claybowser698]

@@Mattykjordan I just watched and liked that a little bit ago! I shared your video with my family.

[@OAE7477]

I was there when the Star made its maiden voyage to the ice. Did a bit of supply liaison with it. Tell your daughter the Coasties have terrible coffee. 😂

[@Mattykjordan]

@@OAE7477 thats awesome!

[@LeeM-vv5gl]

Another great video 👍🏻 imagine being able to marry in the Chapel of the Snows. Can you please share the inside of this lovely Chapel if you are able 💕

[@Mattykjordan]

I’ve done a short showing the inside! A few people have been married in the chapel :)

[@falsemaria1926]

Wonderful video; Chapel of the Snows looks lovely, and the name is beautiful ♥️ Thank you for sharing!

[@Mattykjordan]

My pleasure. It’s one of the most unique buildings at McMurdo!

[@classeketer9855]

Nice and cool video, I’m really interested in Antarctica and the research nation (like the Italian-French Concordia or the Mario Zucchelli) but this is the first time I see a complete tour of one of it, so thank you really much for this video.

[@Mattykjordan]

My pleasure I’m glad you like it

[@whybother9396]

Renovating Mcmurdo? Oh the broken atm for 10yrs finally be fixed lol.

[@Mattykjordan]

🤣

[@sgtbrown4273]

Nope it's still there 😂

[@alyrios]

Great video. You should get together with Kristin, the store clerk at McMurdo. She is currently there and also uploads into YT. 🙂

[@Mattykjordan]

Thanks 🙏

[@Richborg44]

Thanks for this video. Brings back memories. I lived at Willy in the early 90s.

[@Mattykjordan]

My pleasure. So cool to be able to show you what it’s like now

[@valerieannshort7109]

Very interesting! I never would have guessed there was so much to see.

[@Mattykjordan]

There’s a bit around for sure!

[@JB28057]

Cool! Would love to see a video of your base too!

[@Mattykjordan]

Yep I’ll do that soon!

[@sandiedrew4086]

Absolutely amazing.!

[@Mattykjordan]

Thanks :)

[@judymorgan7051]

I’ve been corresponding with someone that claims to be stationed there but hasn’t ever talked about how much there is to do there… makes me wonder if he is truly who he says he is … only talks about how busy he is with paperwork! Told me is is with NASA and ask me to help him get vacation time, I emailed the headquarters and they said I would have to send money for his replacement for the time he is gone. My guess is that he is not who he says he is!! Really enjoyed watching your podcast and looking forward to seeing more❤

[@chris.lovesdogs]

Thank you for making this video

[@Mattykjordan]

It’s my pleasure :)

[@ryanbollerud8792]

That was a great tour of the area! I had no idea we had that much over there! That's a full-fledged city. And here I thought it was supposed to stay fairly primitive via the Treaty. They definitely have everything they need and then some...

[@Emily-the_funny_guys]

Wow i can't believe how big it is. That place is heaps bigger than alot of Aussie towns

[@dimetilldeath]

Live and worked in McMurdo last year. Moved many of those containers around

[@Mattykjordan]

Nice!

[@scottsmith7061]

Someone told me they were being housed at mcmurdo without a bed to sleep in. Is there anyway thar this could be true?

[@noahhyatt]

My uncle works there, at that exact station! Last year he overwintered at the South Pole station as well. He's back in the States at the moment, but he's going back again this year.

[@theresabrents6402]

Thank you so much for opening up the mystery box a little. I would love to experience that for a bit. Just to say I did it. I’m too old now but it would have been a great experience. Good for you!! Thanks for the posts. From Louisiana in the USA

[@Mattykjordan]

You’re welcome! Thanks for the kind words! ☺️

[@theemilyelizabeth]

I am loving your channel! Thank you for all the interesting videos!

[@Mattykjordan]

My pleasure 🙏

[@uoldboat]

I wintered over there in '82. Some areas recognizable some not.

[@Mattykjordan]

That’s awesome 🙌🏼 must have been a. Different place back then

[@Citrus_Fruits]

This is interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@Mattykjordan]

My pleasure :)

[@jbh1983]

So interesting! Thanks for posting, I had no idea it was so big.

[@Mattykjordan]

You’re welcome! Thanks for the kind words! ☺️

[@Vidz0022]

Must have been one hell of a drive to get all the way out there.

[@Mattykjordan]

🤣🤣 sure was

[@sgtsquank]

This is super fascinating. Many thanks for a peak into a world most of us will never see. Antarctica is on my bucket list, the cold is my jam, but I also realize logistically that the folks going there should probably have a purpose other than "tourist".

[@Mattykjordan]

My pleasure :) you could apply to work there?

[@sgtsquank]

@@Mattykjordan Not opposed to it. Maybe life will throw me down there at some point and I've learned to never say never. Thanks for the reply, sorry it took me two months to notice it!

[@elteescat]

Wow! I had no idea McMurdo was so huge! All of that for only 1000 people?

[@Mattykjordan]

Yeah it’s pretty big! Yep 1,000 people but lots of different functions. There’s everything you need to run a small town

[@elteescat]

@@Mattykjordan sounds like everybody's a jack of all trades!

[@RockyFoxxowo]

Its very impressive, but also ive never seen so many ford super duty's in one place

[@antiquefrk]

Thank you for the great tour. Our daughter is there now.

[@Mattykjordan]

My pleasure :) glad you liked it

[@reneb86]

This is great! I am surprised at the layout of it all. Seems very organically grown. As if it wasn't funded by the world's richest country. I guess I was expecting something energy/space efficient. But it looks just like a town.

[@noroultra]

do a video of the firefighters (mcmurdo station uses AFD and its own fire team)

[@blanetaa]

Looks like this video was taken in September. Or at least before I got there in early October. It’s crazy to see how much has changed in the few months I’ve been here

[@Mattykjordan]

Yep! It was taken in September, at around 9pm. Nice to see that there’s progress being made!

[@sierrachief117]

Like being on an extra terrestrial snowy planet

[@RoseTheLoser]

how can I move to antarctica?

[@Mattykjordan]

You’d need to get a job there! I’m currently writing an E-Book about how to get a job in Antarctica! It’s not quite done but if you sign up to my newsletter (link in bio) I’ll send you a copy when it’s finished :)

[@casey5800]

Fr

[@KingFox76]

Rent from Hertz and get going. Buy bye

[@michaellypka1701]

You leave shoes in hall to show who is inside the base

[@jasonallen1532]

Super interesting video, thanks.

[@Mattykjordan]

My pleasure, thanks :)

[@stillwaterbg]

I never knew it was so vast, holy cow.

[@Mattykjordan]

Takes a lot to support science :)

[@edithtorres4025]

Yes! That’s where my husband worked! He worked in the VMF as the Foreman!!! By the way, my husband knows you! His name is Isaac Villegas.

[@Mattykjordan]

Awesome! Hi Isaac 👋

[@KlaxontheImpailr]

I wish I could use streetview on Mcmurdo, looks like there's a lot to explore.

[@ElenaKato25or6to4]

New subsciber here ❤ I am loving your content

[@Mattykjordan]

Thank you!

[@DereC519]

cool!!

[@roachtoasties]

Cool. You didn't mention if you had a jail, in case someone commits grand theft from the store or one scientist murders another scientist. :/

[@i.am.allei1223]

As always...a huge thank you for touring us around through your lense.❤ I have a question though...since there are a lot of buildings and activities going on in there, will it affect the environment of Antarctica negatively?

[@Mattykjordan]

Ultimately without this infrastructure we wouldn’t be able to do important climate science. All activities follow strict environmental guidelines to minimise impact as much as possible

[@TheCentennial4]

Looks like a normal American town

[@PnarOzdag-xb1bb]

I wish u can go anrartica pyramit❤

[@JillJackson-ef6pp]

Guessing you haven't found the alien base operation yet, lol.

[@aineshbalaga1216]

All I can think of is the movie “The Thing”

[@Mattykjordan]

🤣 yep!

[@nibrasge6375]

Very cool! What time of day was this filmed? Didnt see a lot of activity... Was everyone asleep?

[@Mattykjordan]

It was late in the evening about 9pm

[@nibrasge6375]

@@Mattykjordan That explains it, thank you!

[@lobotomyLIVE]

Idk try using a sundial

[@nibrasge6375]

@@lobotomyLIVE 😀

[@donutguy804]

Cool

[@Mattykjordan]

Thanks 🙏

[@KingFox76]

Literally❤

[@Sunshineannatx]

Is it true you can’t go to Antarctica if you have an appendix? Because the risk of an emergency?

[@kelleywyskiel3478]

No. But there are a pretty extensive set of requirements to get there. My husband spent quite some time working there and still has all of his body parts. He does have a story about a dentist who had to become a field surgeon in an emergency because there isn’t always an immediate way off the ice.

[@Mattykjordan]

Thats not true. I actually don’t know anyone who has had theirs removed

[@raymiemiller1455]

Can you do a video about the life inhabiting Antarctica? How often are wild animals seen? Plants? Fungi?

[@robharris8844U]

Great video of tour mate,even if it was from the wrong side of road.🫡

[@Mattykjordan]

Thanks! I thought the same 🤣

[@robharris8844U]

@@Mattykjordan 😆

[@scottsmith7061]

Someone told me they are being housed at Mcmurdo station without a bed to sleep on. Is there any way this could be true?

[@roche320]

I honestly didn't realise how expansive the base was. It's almost like a town. Could we get more info on the people who dive under the ice? That sounds interesting.

[@Mattykjordan]

Sure thing! I’ll do a video about this :) yep it basically is a town. We need to be completely self sufficient

[@-_AN22M_-]

0:17 OIL?

[@Enpointe4]

Very interesting to see! My thought, seeing those intersections - does that make Antarctica the only continent without traffic lights?

[@dr.garretsshow]

It looks different than what i imagined after watching Stargate...

[@greysencaviness-demone]

What is your “job” at Scott base? Edit: the quotes are meant to show that he does many other things around Antarctica.😊

[@Razziquet]

I’ve been wanting to move to Antarctica for quite a long time, I haven’t found much about just regular civilians though. McMurdo station seems like a pretty great place though, don’t know if I could even go though- let alone afford it

[@Mattykjordan]

You can only stay at McMurdo if you are working there. I’ve written an E-Book about how to get a job in Antarctica! You can get a free copy at the link in my bio or at mattykjordan.com/ebook. I hope you enjoy it!

[@DarkerThanBlack88]

Incredible video tour man. I have always wondered what mcmurdo station looked like after it was mentioned so many time on Stargate Sg-1 I find it fascinating to see how many vehicles there but you really didn’t see any people outside. Only one person outside walking around in the video. I’m wondering how cold it is outside there.

[@Mattykjordan]

Thanks. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. The video was taken at the end of winter when the population is lower hence not many people. It was also -40 outside 🤣

[@d0m1n1kcz2]

Can you do a video on the fire dept. itsself? It would be interesting to see how the firefighters are equiped for such harsh conditions

[@Mattykjordan]

Yeah I probably could.

[@OAE7477]

I sure hope the old white open LaFrance water pumper isn't still in use down there.😄 I rode with the fire guys in the '70's since they were nice enough to let me live in firehouse with them. You haven't lived until your gloved hands freeze on the grab bar while standing on the tailboard of an open LaFrance on the way to an alarm at the seismo lab in the pass on way to Scott Base.😄 No idea why the Navy would send a water truck to McMurdo. Tank froze and split. Was used mainly as an equipment hauler. We used purple k mainly back then.

[@carolpierce4140]

I noticed a lot of transmission lines. Does Antartica have its own grid, or are they connected. If so, where?

[@Mattykjordan]

Yes there is a share grid between Scott base and McMurdo station

[@capefear56]

The Thing would have had a harder time with this base lol

[@Mattykjordan]

🤣🤣

[@jimmyrossy732]

WELCOME TO THE ANTARCTICA! Ice cream?

[@Mattykjordan]

Yep we eat lots!

[@danielfetys1813]

exciting vidéo

[@Mattykjordan]

Thank you :)

[@prathapcaius]

I would kill to work over there!

[@Mattykjordan]

You probably can! I’ve written an E-Book about how to get a job in Antarctica! You can get a free copy at the link in my bio or at mattykjordan.com/ebook. I hope you enjoy it!

[@Mori-ey8wj]

Did you find the mountains of madness yet?

[@Sheev6]

É incrível como os Estados Unidos conseguiu construir uma pequena cidade no ambiente terrestre mais hostil a vida que existe nesse planeta, realmente os EUA é a Grande Nação!

[@Mattykjordan]

🙏

[@OAE7477]

It was built by Navy SeaBee's. They can build anything anywhere.

[@dianabialaskahansen2972]

Surprised that everything seems to be run by diesel generators. Would have expected there would be some nuclear plant, supplying both heat and energy, but not requiring a lot of fuel.

[@Mattykjordan]

Nuclear is not permitted in Antarctica. We also have a wind farm

[@OAE7477]

There was a nuke power plant on Observation Hill for a few years but other nations and environmentalists complained back during the anti nuke '70's era. We had to dismantle it and ship it back to the states, including all the ground that was around it.

[@KingFox76]

If it makes sense, we don’t do it. Standard military. Diesel burns much cleaner and there are no greenhouse gasses given off… so “they” say.

[@OAE7477]

@@KingFox76 Military has no control in Antarctic program. Plans and policies are set in place by civilian agencies in DC.

[@KingFox76]

@@OAE7477 I believe it. If it doesn’t make sense we do it. If it pleases the children dictating changes we abide. Standards for today. But the earth is warming…. What to do?

[@Andrewbert109]

How much scorpion waste? I heard Amundsen-Scott is overrun with it

[@almministrys1659]

I was thinking? No way Africa could be so closed and over 60 million years they never lived or visited?😊????😊😊😊😊

[@aliasnick4602]

Cool content dude. Watching your videos have me thinking about how ridiculous flat earthers are.

[@Mattykjordan]

Thanks 🤣 I get so many commenting on my videos 🤣

[@alexdelvento1273]

Watch on 2 times speed.

[@meinkek7896]

What's beyond that? New world? New continent? The wall? Firmament? Blue sky?

[@sumitsinghthakur4328]

amazing

[@Jevk]

I'm curious about how are the internet speeds there?

[@yaacoubi]

USA: Hey look... a cold continent and nobody's there. That's mine...

[@carolederent7638]

And?

[@ast88888]

where's the greenhouse?

[@Mattykjordan]

No greenhouse there unfortunately

[@No_Budget.Builds]

How did you get the job there? Would love to go be a mechanic in Antarctica

[@Mattykjordan]

I’m currently writing an E-Book about how to get a job in Antarctica! It’s not quite done but if you sign up to my newsletter (link in bio) I’ll send you a copy when it’s finished :)

[@kuva]

it's funny to consider that it looks strikingly similar to more rural locations in minnesota during our winters. Minus the mountains. Also, is there a all-year round staff at the station? how many people is there usually? (saying this before watching the full video, will change if you mention it)

[@Mattykjordan]

Yep there are people year round. McMurdo has a summer population of ~1200 and a winter population of ~150

[@tmg5045]

I've been in a hagland meny times at christchurch antarctic center nz

[@Mattykjordan]

Awesome I love that place

[@boogieboss]

Looks like a doom base station on mars.

[@terrylast624]

Where streets have no name.