All over the world, in bitter cold locations, human beings, not of sound mind, engage in an event called the “Polar Plunge”. Generally the event involves consuming great quantities of alcohol to numb the brain into believing you can immerse the human body in 28 degree Fahrenheit water without great bodily harm. To me a polar plunge involves jumping into our swimming pool when the water temperature is 80 degrees.

Such an annual unsanctioned event occurs at Scott Base the New Zealand base near here. Of course the invitation goes out to all McMurdoites and a great many take up the challenge. Thankfully I was working at the time so I had a really good excuse for not “taking the plunge”.

The event begins with disrobing in the bathroom to a level determined by each participant. Some participants dress in costumes akin to those you might wear at a Halloween party. Following the robbing or disrobing you walk across a metal grate deck down some stairs to a hole in the ice where you are attached to a bungee cord which provides some modicum of safety in the event your body and brain completely shut down when you hit the subfreezing water. Then at your own pace you step, jump or fall into the water whereupon your life functions began the aforementioned shut down. Upon exit from the water you are invited to take a dip in a hot tub located about ten feet from the dipping site. Apparently a fun time was had by all and believe it or not you get a patch from the Kiwi’s to verify the lunacy of your activity.

Apparently safety is not high on the list of concerns as there is a boom box located just above the hot tub plugged into an outlet playing some very interesting music. With just a slight nudge the radio could easily end up in the hot tub with the same results you have probably witnessed in many a horror movie.

Thankfully only one participant passed out following the dip and no one else seemed to suffer medically. (I know some of you out there are thinking this would be great fun and you are as nutty as these people here)