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Race against time to save Antarctic base

photograph of penguins playing in the snow near one of the base a buildingsUKAHT/PA

Base A enjoys visits from the local population of penguins

A carpenter, a mountain rescue volunteer and a postie will spend five months saving a British base in Antarctica.

The eight-person crew will work together to restore the base, sharing one bunk room with no running water or flushing toilets.

The more than 80-year-old Base A site needs significant repairs due to its age and environmental factors such as increased rainfall, water flow and snow loading, says the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT).

It was first built in February 1944 as part of a secret operation by the British Government, before becoming an important scientific research station.

penguins together at sunsetUKAHT/PA

This is year two of the UKAHT's three year-mission to protect the historic base.

First aid training, a sea survival course and talks on penguinology are all essential parts of the training for the eight-person team.

Goudier Island, where the base is located, is the size of a football-pitch and is shared with a thousand Gentoo penguins.

So keeping the neighbours happy is an important part of the trip.

Postmaster George Clarke, who will be in charge of running the world's southern-most post office, is returning to the base for a third season.

"I've really fallen in love with the Antarctic wilderness, as well as the penguins and can't wait to get back there," he said.

photograph shows a woman hugging a small snowman while wearing warm winter gear including a hat scarf and pink gloves, behind her is a snowy landscape with lots of treesUKAHT/PA

Carpenter Kate has already sent out her birthday presents to the base ahead of her January celebrations

Conservation engineer Maggie Cook said: "Most of the buildings I work on were built to last for centuries. These were never meant to last at all, and yet they're still standing decades on.

"Working out how to keep them standing, without changing what they are is the kind of problem I love."

With only penguins and snow for company, the team have very few creature comforts to occupy them on their trip.

The UKAHT say that chocolate, packet soup and mini-watercolour sets will make up much of the team's entertainment during their five-month stay.

photograph shows a woman wearing warm weather gear standing in the snow next to a large pillar - the text on the pillar reads to the dear memory of ernest henry shackleton explorer born 15th february 1874 entered life enternal 5th january 1922UKAHT/PA

Conservation lead Camilla Nichol stands next to the grave of British polar explorer Ernest Shackleton

The team will also be sent to another base called Wordie House, which is the site of the only continuous record of the climate there since the 1940s.

It is still used to record climate changes today.

The base still has lots of souvenirs left over from previous visitors, and artefacts conservator Sophie Rowe explained: "I've spent much of my career caring for polar objects in museums, but it's very different working with them in the place they were used.

"The objects inside Wordie House are still where people left them, and recording each one is how we make sure the stories behind them aren't lost."

Conservation lead and chief executive Camilla Nichol, who will also be at Wordie House, said: "This is a huge year for us as we meet the growing challenges of climate change."

"Since Wordie House's records began in 1947, the Antarctic Peninsula has become one of the fastest-warming places on the planet and we see the impact every year on the wildlife and special places in our care."