| Summary: | Photographed by Lynn Johnson for February 1985 LIFE magazine article, "LIFE Visits Wright Valley, Antarctica: Investigating the World's Coldest Desert," with text written by Jeff Wheelwright. Article summary from Black Star (photo agency) caption sheet “Wright Valley, Antarctica – The World’s Coldest Desert”: "Antarctica is one area of the world which encourages international scientific cooperation. For eighty years this unusual and fascinating area has served as a laboratory for scientists from many countries of the world probing Antarctica’s geological mysteries. In December 1984 a group of international scientists including Japanese , New Zealanders, Chinese, Peruvian, German and American scientists descended on Wright Valley, considered the world’s coldest desert. These biologists, geologists, ecologists and scientists of other persuasions explored the valley so as to add to the cumulative scientific knowledge about Lake Vanda and the forty mile Wright Valley. Survival training for the scientists is an absolute essential for living in this hostile environment, even in the Antarctic summer. This arid frozen wasteland requires dedicated and hardy personnel whose desire for personal comfort becomes secondary to their scientific curiosity and explorations.” Image caption from "LIFE Visits Wright Valley, Antarctica: Investigating the World's Coldest Desert": "Navy helicopter pilots take time out to renew their annual memberships in the Vanda Swim Club. Enforced by New Zealanders, the rules prohbit wearing any clothes, keeping plunges necessarily brief." Caption from caption sheet “Wright Valley, Antarctica – The World’s Coldest Desert”: "Immediately after their arrival helicopter crew braves the icy water of Lake-Vanda to qualify as members of the Lake Vanda Swim Club. Only the heartiest of individuals join this exclusive club." Text on slide mount: "©1994 Lynn Johnson Black Star 1-85-9147 Wright Valley, Antarctica #40"
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