“In Antarctica, exploring the infinite”
PRO TREK PRW-50YAEWhere details matter
90Former Antarctic scientific researcher Postdoctoral fellow at the Chinese Polar Research Institute Li Hang
Five years ago, as a rookie researcher, I set foot on the Antarctic continent, known as the end of the world, for the first time. Now, I’m back here, flying over the vast Antarctic glaciers, continuing to explore the natural mysteries of this continent.
(Featured Image) Exploring Antarctica
Unlike previous trips where we traveled southward by icebreaker, this time my teammates and I flew to Antarctica. We departed from Shanghai Pudong Airport, stopped over in Hobart, Australia, landed at Wilkins Blue Ice Runway (Australia) on the Antarctic continent, and finally touched down at an ice runway about 10 kilometers from Zhongshan Station. Compared to traveling by ship, the journey from China to Zhongshan Station has been shortened from a month to just three days, and researchers no longer have to endure seasickness caused by ocean swells. This change in transportation has improved the efficiency of Antarctic expeditions and significantly reduced the physical strain during the journey.
Our Airbus C19 landing on the Wilkins Blue Ice Runway in Antarctica
The southern and northern hemispheres have completely different seasonal cycles. Therefore, when it’s winter in China, Antarctica is in the midst of summer. During the Antarctic summer, the snow and ice surfaces undergo seasonal melting, especially the sea ice in the Southern Ocean, which melts rapidly due to rising ocean currents. This provides an excellent time window for scientific research by various countries. Many nations, including China, choose to send research teams to Antarctica around November each year.
Landmarks of the Antarctic Circle
The Antarctic continent is the last continent discovered by humans and the only one without indigenous inhabitants. The term "pole" implies "extreme," and Antarctica is the Earth's cold pole and wind pole. But what’s lesser known is that it’s also the Earth's dry pole—despite having abundant freshwater resources, most of the water exists in solid form, with extremely low annual precipitation and very dry air. Meanwhile, the Antarctic continent is vast; even in summer when sea ice melts, it still spans approximately 14 million square kilometers, nearly half a million more than China’s land area.
Looking down at the Antarctic ice sheet from the plane
Every time I prepare to head to Antarctica, packing all the necessary supplies and luggage takes up a lot of my time and energy. In addition to the standardized clothing and outdoor gear provided by the research team, along with my various photography equipment and some essential yet easily overlooked small items, the sheer volume of things is overwhelming. But the beauty of Antarctica makes all the preparation worthwhile.
This time, well before departure, I made sure to include the CASIO PRO TREK series PRW-50YAE outdoor watch in my must-have items. There are many reasons for choosing this product. First, the outdoor professionalism of the PRO TREK series goes without saying. Features such as solar power, 100-meter water resistance, six-time zone radio wave reception, compass, barometric pressure measurement, altimeter, and thermometer are all highly practical for someone like me who frequently works outdoors. Another very important reason is the aesthetics of the PRW-50YAE. Its clean, textured white dial resembles the color of an iceberg’s surface—perfectly fitting for the environment. The industrial, fashion-forward mechanical gear-shaped bezel constantly exudes an outdoor vibe.
PRO TREK accompanied me to Antarctica
The Arctic is surrounded by ocean, while Antarctica is a continent covered in ice and snow—the two are fundamentally different. The vast glaciers that perpetually cover the Antarctic continent are called the Antarctic Ice Sheet. With an average thickness of over two kilometers and spanning the aforementioned massive area, the scale of the Antarctic Ice Sheet is truly enormous. It’s clear that the Antarctic Ice Sheet plays a crucial role in the Earth’s climate and environmental changes. On the other hand, the Antarctic Ice Sheet is also highly sensitive to these changes, often referred to as an indicator of global climate and environmental shifts. Therefore, Antarctic research isn’t just about exploring and studying the region itself—it’s also about helping humanity better understand our planet and protect nature and ourselves.
An Antarctic iceberg at sunset
My main task during this research expedition was to conduct aerial remote sensing observations in East Antarctica. In simpler terms, it involved using airborne scientific equipment to investigate and study the Antarctic Ice Sheet, further revealing its role in global climate and environmental changes. Since 2016, the research team has been utilizing the fixed-wing aircraft “Snow Eagle 601” for Antarctic aerial surveys. The Snow Eagle 601 is a heavily modified DC-3 aircraft, now equipped with a range of scientific instruments in its cabin, including ice radar, airborne gravimetry, airborne magnetometry, and laser altimeters, making it an advanced polar aerial research platform.
The Snow Eagle 601 fixed-wing research aircraft after takeoff
During the flight, I used the altitude measurement function of the PRW-50YAE to conveniently check the current flight altitude on the watch’s digital display. This altitude is calculated based on the watch’s barometric sensor, and to the left of the altitude value, a recent altitude trend graph is displayed to track changes. The barometric sensor also provides direct pressure readings and supports displaying a recent pressure trend graph. By combining the real-time data feedback from the PRW-50YAE with my own professional knowledge, I can predict short-term weather conditions.
Additionally, during flight observations, I needed to regularly inspect scientific equipment and record any potential issues. Since we frequently crossed time zones during flights, all recordings were based on Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). I found it extremely convenient that the PRW-50YAE offers a world time mode. When activated, the watch hands display UTC time, while the local time remains visible on the digital display. After the flight, I could simply exit world time mode, and the hands would revert to local time—an effortless and seamless switch. Here’s something to note: I set the world time reference to UTC first, and once I entered world time mode, the hands indicated the current UTC time.
Using the altimeter function of the PRW-50YAE watch in the cabin to measure flight altitude
Besides flying, I also sometimes undertook field research missions. When encountering rugged terrain where vehicles couldn’t proceed, I had to trek on foot. Most areas of the Antarctic continent are covered in year-round snow and ice, with exposed bedrock found only in a few places. The area where Zhongshan Station is located is one of the rare, golden, hilly regions on the continent. Frequently moving between snowy expanses and hills consumes a lot of energy. Coupled with thick gloves, regular watches would often be hidden beneath gloves and parkas, making it difficult to check the time in the field. At this point, I can’t praise the CASIO PRO TREK series PRW-50YAE watch enough—it comes with a replaceable carabiner!! That means, by swapping the watch strap for a carabiner, you can attach it to any gear with a clip, such as a professional backpack or parka. So, when checking the time on your wrist isn’t convenient in the field—especially during activities like climbing where your hands are occupied, or when thick gloves obscure the watch face—the carabiner becomes an absolute game-changer!! By the way, the watch’s silicone rubber strap offers both flexibility and a skin-friendly feel, showcasing the thoughtful design and material selection of PRO TREK in crafting outdoor products.
Reaching the mountaintop, with endless Southern Ocean sea ice stretching out before you
Using the carabiner to attach the watch to a parka makes checking the time, pressure, and elevation incredibly convenient
With the carabiner, there’s no need to fumble with thick gloves or take them off to check the time
Full view of the carabiner
Working and living in Antarctica means facing various challenges in an extreme environment, as well as enduring a harsh and monotonous life. In my spare time, photography is my greatest joy, bringing me great comfort when I am far away from my homeland and loved ones. Although I have stayed in Antarctica continuously for nearly 500 days, the scenery here and everything that happens never fail to amaze me. Time flows, light and shadow shift, and people’s moods constantly change. These random factors combine to make every photo and every video full of possibilities, which is the driving force behind my endless passion for photography.
Shooting videos outdoors
The PRO TREK watch in an icy environment
Compared to most people in the world, I know how truly lucky I am. The vast, mysterious, and wild continent of Antarctica is a place many will never reach in their lifetime, yet I’ve been able to live and work here multiple times. Despite the freezing cold and fierce snowstorms, and the many unseen hardships behind each photo and video, my passion never fades, and my steps never stop. Everything I’ve documented here has become some of the most precious memories of my life—memories that will not fade with the passage of time.
Encountering an emperor penguin family
One very important filming technique I use in documenting the Antarctic landscape is time-lapse photography. Time-lapse is a method of compressing time, often using a few seconds of video footage to depict the changes in light and shadow over several minutes, hours, or even more than a day. Compared to regular video, time-lapse photography requires more effort—you need to trigger the shutter at fixed intervals to capture individual frames, which eventually become the frames of the time-lapse video. As a result, just a few seconds of time-lapse footage may require hundreds or even thousands of photos.
After planning the shoot and setting up the camera, what I need to do is wait nearby or move to another location to set up additional cameras. This requires accurate timing so I can finish shooting promptly and improve efficiency. That’s where the PRW-50YAE’s timer function comes in handy. I don’t need to remember the start time of each shoot and keep checking the dial; I just need to plan the time-lapse in advance, set the corresponding time on the watch, and then wait patiently for the alert sound once shooting begins. Everything becomes orderly. Though the timer is just a small feature, I use it frequently—it saves me from fumbling with my sleeve to check the time in the freezing wind, making it extremely practical.
Icebergs and sea fog during a time-lapse shoot
Activating the countdown function on the watch helps me shoot time-lapse videos more efficiently
In a few days, I’ll have completed two months of my Antarctic scientific expedition. Thanks to thorough preparation, the expedition has gone very smoothly so far. Among other things, I’m very satisfied with my choice of the CASIO PRO TREK series PRW-50YAE outdoor watch, which has greatly met my various needs while working and living in Antarctica. In addition to the features I frequently use, as mentioned above, I also really like some of its other characteristics, such as the upgraded smaller dial, which minimizes interference with wrist movement during outdoor activities; and the solar-powered feature, which eliminates any worry about sudden power loss during long treks.
Checking air pressure records on the Antarctic ice sheet
The PRO TREK performs steadily in Antarctica, delivering excellent results
Now, the Antarctic is in the midst of polar day, with no nightfall for over two months. Even at midnight, the sun still hovers above the horizon, refusing to set. Having grown accustomed to the seasonal changes in Antarctica, I look forward to the upcoming Antarctic winter nights, hoping to encounter the mysterious auroras once again under the starry sky.
Brilliant auroras in Antarctica
During my time using PRO TREK products, I’ve been deeply impressed by their high-quality details and user-friendly features. I hope that in the days to come, the PRW-50YAE will accompany me through many more days and nights.