sea level and it's cold, real cold, but you knew that. you feel the altitude. today, the base at south pole has the feel of a space station, a warm comfortable bubble in the middlesh out there with winds reaching as high as 50 knots and temperatures regularly dropping below negative 50 degrees fahrenheit. about 200 scientists and staff work here during the summer season. chef bryan denham is responsible for keeping them all fed and happy. he's been coming here for about five seasons, wintering for over three of those. again one makes a lot with a little. what do you think the likely common thread between all of the people who choose to come to this place? >> stuart: everybody's got a spirit of adventure here. it's pretty cool because you think oh i've done some really cool things, and then you talk to someone else and you go, oh, i've done nothing. >> anthony: dr. stuart jeffries is an astronomer and solar specialist. >> man in brown cap: the first year is for the adventure. the second year is for the money. the third year is because you don't fit into anywhere else. >> siri: you can't function anywhere else. >> man in brown cap: that's right. >> anthony: siri g