He built a hut here in 1901 and it still stands. McMurdo Sound sits in the immediate view of Mount Erebus a 3,794-meter high active volcano. The extremes in temperatures on the inside and outside of the volcano emulate conditions that are believed to exist on certain other planets. Accommodations at the base are pretty much dormitory style, with a common bathroom. The are unusually 2 or3 people per room.
Water is obtained by reverse osmosis of seawater.
Use of water for showers and laundry must be carefully monitored. Recreation includes a library, clubs, gym, weight room, aerobics room, band room, and bowling alley. There is a laundry facility available for use at any time. There is a full time doctor and dentist on base during the summer, but, only an MD during the winter. All wastes are now retrograded out of Antarctica.