Off to Antarctic
Dort to have cold summer with Japanese
By DIANE SEAVER
Wakefield Dort, professor of geology, currently is worrying about diplomacy, speaking Japanese, and losing 25 pounds.
This is a strange assortment of things to occupy a geology professor's mind, but not when seen in light of Dort's impending trip to Antarctica.
Dort has been selected the United States representative to Japan's Antarctic Base, Showa. He will be the only American at the base for two months starting around Dec. 15.
DORT PLANS to return to the United States by way of South Africa, Belgium and England. Completing his trip around the world, he will fly across the Arctic non-stop to Chicago.
The language barrier will be very real to Dort, who is just beginning to study Japanese pronunciation. He can brush up on
his vocabulary at night at the base, where idle chatter will be impossible.
During the first five weeks of his 1966-67 Antarctic trip, Dort will complete the work he was doing for the National Science Foundation last year at McMurdo Station in Antarctica. Dort will spend nearly two weeks beginning Dec. 5 on the new Japanese icebreaker Fuji. This ride will be one of the many firsts for Dort on this trip.
"LAST YEAR the ship could not get closer than 50 miles to Showa because the ice was so thick. We don't know the condition of the ice this year because no station is near enough to report," said Dort.
His first duty upon reaching the Japanese base will be to help unload the supplies. Hopefully, the unloading this year will not have to be by helicopter.
WEATHER
Then he will do full-time research for himself. He will publish a paper of his geologic conclusions both in Japanese and English.
The U.S. Weather Bureau says it will be partly cloudy and cooler through Wednesday, with tonight's low in the mid 30's. Today's high was to be in the 50's.
"THE JAPANESE are very active in my area of interest—glacial geology," said Dort. "I am very happy to be working with them."
"I couldn't eat raw octopus for breakfast," said Dort. "Scaweed doesn't sound very good either."
But Dort expects the work to be most grueling. Twelve-hour days were common for other scientists who have represented the
United States at Showa. Because the Japanese are not Christian, they work a 7-day week.
THE JAPANESE serve four meals a day: breakfast, lunch, early supper and late supper. Even with this extra meal a day, Dort has been told to expect to lose 20-25 pounds. This is due to the combination of hard work, long hours and practically no ment in their diet, said Dort.
Dort spent the first three weeks of September in Washington, D.C. getting briefed for his trip. He should be able to answer any questions the Japanese have about the American Antarctic program. Te has also been briefed on the diplomatic actions that will be expected of him.
"AT THE END of the season, I will be expected to give gifts to important or helpful people at the base. But I cannot give a better gift to a lower-ranked man, no matter how helpful he has been," said Dort.
This is your chance, Student #7026941. Drink Sprite and be somebody. MP BIG
a much-practiced, friendly gesture.
And then? And then? And then you unleash it.
SPRITE! It fizzes! It roars! It bubbles with good cheer!
Heads turn. Whisperings. "Who's that strangel fascinating student with the arch smile. And what' in that curious green bottle that's making such a racket?"
And you've arrived! The distinctive taste and ebullient character of Sprite has set you apart. You're somebody, uh...uh, whoever-you-are.
SPRITE, SO TART AND
TINGLING, WE JUST COULDN'T
KEEP IT QUIET.
PRIVATE IS A REGISTERED TRADE MARK
Dort pointed out that the gifts should be representative of American culture. Something "Made in Japan" just wouldn't do.
The Japanese will supply Dort with a full cold-weather suit. However, he is expected to bring a suit of American clothing, which he will leave with the Japanese when he leaves.
"Last year a Russian and a Belgian were at McMurdo Station. There is always a Russian at the United States base and an American at the Russian base," said Dort.
IN ANTARCTICA all the nations have signed a treaty. Nothing is kept secret and any base is open to inspection by another country without warning. Dort said the exchange of scientists is
Dort is taking his KU flag with him around the world. He expects to fly it at some places it has never been flown before.
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Daily Kansan Tuesday, October 18, 1966