The phrase “take only memories, leave only footprints” carries extra weight in Antarctica, where even footprints can last up to five years, and sometimes longer.

The cold temperatures, combined with the lack of rain and plant growth means traces humans leave simply don’t wash away, and while we often talk about the pristine nature of Antarctica, it was an eye-opening moment for BLAKE Antarctic Ambassador Sam Woolcott to realise just how vulnerable the landscape is.

“(Antarctica) is a place where you can visibly see your own impact on the environment, which you don’t really get in other places. It was really humbling to get such visual confirmation of that,” he remarks.

The University of Otago student has just spent four weeks alongside fellow BLAKE Ambassador Adam Wilson as part of an international team of scientists from Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), Monash University and the University of Waikato, carrying out vital research on the effects of climate change.

Returning from -15 degrees to New Zealand’s summer heatwave prompted the pair to think deeply about their time in a place few people get to experience.

As part of their month-long placement in Antarctica, Sam and Adam camped in Taylor Valley, helped to transport scientific equipment for up to 12km a day, assisted with sampling and field work, and learnt about geochemical and microbiological research which contributes to our understanding of how climate change is impacting sensitive ecosystems.

Reflecting on the experience, he says what stood out was learning how environmental protection and scientific research coexisted, with each activity requiring careful deliberation and proper permissions.

For Adam, the involvement in research exceeded his expectations.

The team’s sampling built on previous findings that showed greenhouse gas concentrations in the soil of certain valley areas had doubled over the past five years.

“One of our aims was mapping the microbial diversity of the valley, and then there was a bunch of depth profiles, some water samples, and also collecting brine from the Antarctic specially protected area Blood Falls,” Sam explains.

Microbrial diversity refers to the range of microorganisms, the smallest forms of life, which exist everywhere. The study of these in Antarctica is critical in understanding the dynamics of natural greenhouse gas emissions, and how this affects our planet.

Being acutely aware of the critical nature of this research was at the forefront of Sam and Adam’s minds as they realised how fragile the environment was, yet how it had the potential to provide answers to how global warming is and will affect life on our planet.

Studying the brine of Blood Falls

The release of liquid from a subglacial aquifer from the end of Taylor Glacier is what causes the occasional flow of Blood Falls.

“In the valley, there is this massive underground brine river. It starts shallower in the soil at the head of the valley, and then as it works down gets deeper and deeper to where our camp is based at the bottom… It’s a real salty water, and super iron rich which is why it’s red. It comes out to the surface clear, then when the iron meets the air it oxidizes, and goes all red,” he says.

The reason they study this is to see how the overlying soil systems and atmosphere are affected by the seeping brine which comes out when the permafrost “cap’ is cracked by the warming temperature.

“Understanding how and why the soil in Taylor Valley is suddenly seeing huge increases in greenhouse gas concentration will allow us to understand how groundwater is interacting with permafrost in a warming world,” Sam says.

Trip highlights

When asked if the experience was what he had expected, Adam says it was “a whole lot more.”

Arriving in Antarctica was surreal, and the month that followed was both insightful and filled with learning.

“You stand out there on the airfield, and the ice just goes forever. If it weren’t for the flags and the roads, you would have no idea of scale,” he recalls.

In terms of the science, he says they were much more involved than anticipated, which added to the surreal feeling of being able to meaningfully contribute to unlocking answers in global climate research.

One thing that surprised him was how difficult it was to carry out simple everyday tasks while camping in Taylor Valley. “Every little job is just that much harder. Like getting water, where you have to walk to the creek, balance carefully on a couple of rocks so your feet don’t go in, fill your bucket, then wait several hours for the glacial flour to settle before you can drink it. That kind of thing adds to the challenge,” he explains.

Sam echoed this sentiment, feeling similarly awestruck as he flew into an endless blend of snow and ice.

“Flying in is crazy because you’ve got no windows, no idea where you are, and when you hop out you’ve got no idea which direction is north. There’s just ice everywhere,” he explains.

Adding to the otherworldly atmosphere, David Bowie’s ‘Life on Mars’ was playing when they landed in Taylor Valley something Sam says “fitted the mood perfectly.”

“There’s just this desert; this gnarly desert below you with just glaciers. It’s so unlike anywhere else I’ve ever seen. Normally you can explain something to someone with a point of reference – but I really didn’t have anything for this,” he says.

One of his biggest takeaways was seeing the potential in adventure-based science.

“It was so cool to be in an experience like that and actually find out what parts you connect with the most,” he says.

With studies and work on the horizon for the rest of 2026, Sam and Adam are both happy to share their stories and re-live the experience to interested groups.