Tourists paying $25,000 to visit the South Pole can hardly be blamed for indulging in a few whims upon arrival.

A scientist scoops up sea ice samples near McMurdo Station for analysis. Like all outdoor photos in Antarctica, this one has plenty of challenges - extreme cold, wind and trying to move around on a huge sheet of water-covered ice.

Just two guys talking at a remote field camp, right? Well, there's also the matter of the box to the right that's been there several days - hopefully it wasn't anything too important.

Just a profile shot of a former Olympic skiier who spent a season working in Antarctica. Toughest part was shooting her quickly with a frozen camera and hands.

Not a great shot, but this photo of dinner at a remote field camp is a small piece of immortality for me: A blown-up version is in the cafeteria of the Raytheon corporate headquaters that provides Antarctic services for the U.S. program.

Researchers near the South Pole listen to solar flares and other sun-related activity using a receiver designed for such tasks. A lot of work in Antarctica takes place in tiny portable buildings filled with lots of high-tech gear.

The official "you are here" sign at the South Pole is relocated during the annual New Year's celebration at the bottom of the world. Two miles of constantly shifting ice cover the ground at 90 degrees south, so the sign and true Pole marker must be adjusted accordingly.

Workers ride in the back of a Spryte on their way to an outdoor training session. Transportation on the Ice tends to be crowded, improvised and rarely on schedule.

A favorite from years ago when I was at the L.A. Times. This 3-year-old won a lifetime supply of Ben and Jerry's ice cream as part of a nationwide essay contest seeking a new CEO.