Up here is The Big Empty. Even Santa’s an absentee landlord, to judge from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s camera at the Pole, which shows no sign of the old gent. But if you plan to come here, know this: There’s no sun, none, from October to March, nor any land per se, just ice three yards thick floating on the sea. The temp’s often -50 in winter and only 10 in summer. Since there are no time zones, the time of day is up to you. It’s said that fewer people have set foot at the Pole than at the top of Mt. Everest. Even Eskimos and sea creatures don’t get up here much (no sun, no plankton). Still, the fur-bearing tourist is occasionally seen.
Two years ago, 12 women from Michigan State U. skiied 150 miles to the Pole. And there are at least three tour operators offering: A) a champagne flight to the Pole ($8,995); B) a trek by dogsled ($12,500); and C) a 14-day cruise by icebreaker ($15,950). All trips are April-July. Even then, you’ll need Arctic pack boots and synthetic clothes (cotton loses its warmth if it gets at all wet.) Bon voyage.
