Ross Sea, Antarctica

It is August. Light is fleeting, but beautiful. Though light begins to touch the sky again on Antarctica's coastline, the sun has not risen yet - nor has it popped above the horizon in nearly four months. August is the coldest month in Antarctica. Nose hairs freeze and skin cracks due to the lack of humidity - though exposed skin is hard to find.

Privileged to accompany professional photographer and director of Antarctica: A Year on Ice, Anthony Powell out on the sea ice, this photo was captured as light reflected off white pressure ridges in the Ross Sea near Scott Base. Fellow winterover, Joe, stood contemplating his own photo through a hole melted in a slab of ice that pushed up through the sea ice's tempermental frozen coastal crust.

In this area, weddell seals will pop up during the summer and summertime contractors and scientists will have to sign up for tours to negotiate the ice formations. In late January, this area to the shoreline will become slushy and unpredictable when temperatures raise above freezing.

But, this is winter. The light is fascinating. The air is bitter cold. And the pressure ridges are quiet - so very quiet the squeaky crunching sound of boots on the snow, gentle whisper of our own breath, and click of camera shutters are all that permeate the clean dry air. Each boot leaves a mark on a place that has not and likely will not be stepped upon again.

The opportunity is fleeting and probably never repeatable. A moment of solitary contemplation of the surrounding natural and temporary snow sculptures at the bottom of the world renders a tremendously awe inspiring time of personal clarity and gratitude for the experience.