Antarctica Base Gets 16,500 Condoms Before Darkness

A New Zealand newspaper reports that one of the last shipments to a US research base in Antarctica before the onset of winter darkness wasn't sophisticated technical equipment -- but a year's supply of condoms.

Bill Henriksen, the manager of the McMurdo base station, told the 'Southland Times' nearly 16,500 condoms were delivered last month and would be made available, free of charge, to staff throughout the year.

Why? To avoid the potential embarrassment of having to buy them.

Henriksen said the base only has a skeleton staff through the long winter and, "since everybody knows everyone, it becomes a little bit uncomfortable."

About 125 scientists and staff are stationed at the base, which is the largest community in Antarctica during the winter months when there is constant darkness. The region will see its next sunrise on August 20.

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