When Matty K. Jordan first visited Antarctica in 2014 as a tourist, he thought it would be a once-in-a-lifetime journey. Instead, it inspired him to pursue a career he never imagined, sparking an obsession that has brought him back for ten more visits.
Much of his time on the frozen continent was spent at New Zealand’s Antarctic research station, Scott Base, on a glaciated volcanic island 3,500 km (2,175 miles) from the nearest city. There, Matty experienced both 24-hour summer daylight and four months of nonstop night as one of the few people to spend a full winter in Antarctica.
Through breathtaking photography and stories from his 500+ days on the Ice, Matty offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to work in the harshest environment on Earth. From supporting scientific research and encountering extraordinary wildlife to exploring the continent’s history and remote landscapes, The Antarcticans reveals the remarkable people, places, and experiences that define life on the Ice.
More than an adventure, this is a story about following unexpected dreams, discovering resilience through adversity, and finding community in the most unlikely place. Whether you dream of visiting Antarctica or are simply curious about what life is really like on the Ice, The Antarcticans offers a temporary escape from everyday life into one of Earth’s last great wildernesses.
