Here are several people outfitted in some of their ECW gear on the Hercules transport flight from New Zealand to McMurdo Station, Antarctica. The ECW clothing becomes a constant companion during one's time with the US Antarctic Program. Antarctic continental temperatures are usually below freezing throughout the year. Coastal regions have 40-100 centimeters of snowfall per year.
Katabatic winds are a characteristic feature.
Antarctica has an average elevation over 2000 meters and cold dense air from the high continental plateau spills down slope to the coast under gravity's influence. When channeled through valleys, katabatic winds can reach gale force at the coastline, sometimes exceeding fifty meters per second. The US Antarctic Program prepares the participant for survival in this environment by outfitting each participant with E xtreme C old W eather clothing before departure from New Zealand. This ECW outfit has everything needed for topside clothing in Antarctica, comprising everything from long underwear to a cold weather parka, and emphasizing layering for warmth. The team brought some additional clothing for personal preferences and for diving undergarments.