“In Antarctica, exploring the infinite”
PRO TREK PRW-50YAEwhere details matter
90Former Antarctic scientific expedition member Postdoctoral fellow at China’s Polar Research Institute Li Hang
Five years ago, as a newly recruited expedition member, I set foot on the Antarctic continent for the first time—the so-called end of the world. Now, I’m back here again, flying over the vast Antarctic glaciers, continuing to explore the natural mysteries of this continent.
(Cover photo) Exploring Antarctica
Unlike previous expeditions where we traveled southward by icebreaker, this time my teammates and I flew to Antarctica. We departed from Shanghai Pudong Airport, stopped in Hobart, Australia, then landed at Wilkins Blue Ice Runway (Australia) on the Antarctic continent, finally touching down at an ice runway about 10 kilometers from Zhongshan Station. Compared to traveling by ship, this change has reduced our journey from China to Zhongshan Station from a month to just three days, sparing the expedition members from the seasickness caused by rough waves. This shift in transportation mode has improved the efficiency of Antarctic expeditions while also greatly reducing physical strain during the journey.
Our Airbus C19 landing on the Wilkins Blue Ice Runway in Antarctica
The hemispheres experience completely opposite seasons, so when it's winter in China, it's midsummer in Antarctica. During the Antarctic summer, the snow surface undergoes seasonal melting, especially as sea ice in the Southern Ocean warms rapidly with ocean currents and melts quickly—providing an ideal window for scientific research for countries around the world. Many nations, including China, choose to send expedition teams to Antarctica around November each year.
Landmarks of the Antarctic Circle
The Antarctic continent is the last discovered by humankind and the only one without indigenous people. “Pole” implies “extreme,” and Antarctica is the coldest and windiest place on Earth—but lesser known is that it’s also the driest. Despite abundant freshwater resources, most exist in solid form, with extremely low annual precipitation and very dry air. Moreover, 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.
Aerial view of the Antarctic ice sheet from the plane
Whenever it’s time to head to Antarctica, preparing all kinds of supplies and luggage takes up quite a bit of my time and energy. In addition to the clothing and outdoor gear uniformly issued by the expedition team, my own photography equipment, and some essential but easily overlooked small items, the sheer volume of miscellaneous items can be overwhelming. But the beauty of Antarctica makes all that prep work before departure worthwhile.
This time before departure, I included the CASIO PRO TREK series PRW-50YAE outdoor watch in my must-have gear early on. 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 setting. The industrial, fashion-forward mechanical gear-shaped bezel constantly conveys 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 the previously mentioned vast expanse of the continent, the scale of the Antarctic Ice Sheet is truly immense. It’s clear, therefore, 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 changes in the climate environment, often referred to as an indicator of global climate shifts. Thus, Antarctic scientific 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 expedition was to carry out aerial remote sensing observation in East Antarctica. In simpler terms, using airborne scientific equipment to investigate and study the Antarctic Ice Sheet, thereby further revealing its role in global climate and environmental changes. Starting in 2016, the expedition team began utilizing the fixed-wing aircraft “Snow Eagle 601” for Antarctic aerial missions. The Snow Eagle 601 is a heavily modified DC-3 aircraft, now equipped with a suite of scientific instruments in the cabin, including ice-penetrating radar, airborne gravimetry, aeromagnetics, and laser altimeters—making it an advanced polar aerial research platform.
The takeoff of the “Snow Eagle 601” fixed-wing scientific research aircraft
During flight, I can use the altitude measurement function of the PRW-50YAE to easily check the current flying altitude from the digital display area on the watch face. 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 also displayed to track changes. The barometric sensor also provides direct atmospheric pressure readings, along with a recent pressure trend graph. By combining real-time data feedback from the PRW-50YAE with my own professional knowledge, I can forecast short-term weather conditions.
On the other hand, during flight observations, I need to regularly inspect the scientific equipment and record any potential issues. Since we frequently cross time zones during flights, all recorded times are based on Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). I find it extremely convenient that the PRW-50YAE offers a World Time mode. When activated, the watch hands display UTC time, while local time remains shown in the digital display area. Once the flight ends, simply exit World Time mode, and the hands revert to local time—a seamless switch that’s incredibly handy. Here’s something to note: I first set the World Time target to UTC, and once World Time mode is activated, the hands indicate the current UTC time.
In the cabin, using the PRW-50YAE watch’s altimeter function to determine flight altitude
Aside from flying, I sometimes also carry out field expeditions on the ground. When rugged terrain prevents vehicles from moving forward, we have to trek on foot. Most of the Antarctic continent is covered by year-round snow and ice, with exposed bedrock found only in a few areas—and the region where Zhongshan Station is located is one of those rare, golden patches of hilly terrain on the continent. Frequently moving between snowy expanses and hills consumes a great deal of energy. Add to that thick gloves that make regular watches disappear under layers of gear, and checking the time in the field becomes quite a challenge. That’s when I want to give the CASIO PRO TREK series PRW-50YAE watch ten thousand thumbs up—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 a down jacket. So, when it’s inconvenient to check the time on your wrist—especially during climbing when your hands aren’t free or when thick gloves obscure the watch face—the watch’s carabiner becomes an absolute game-changer!! Oh, and the included silicone strap is both flexible and skin-friendly, which shows just how much care PRO TREK puts into design and material selection for its outdoor products.
After reaching the summit, an endless expanse of Southern Ocean sea ice stretches out before you
Using the carabiner to attach the watch to a down jacket makes it easy to check the time, air pressure, and elevation
With the carabiner attached, 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 tough and monotonous life. Outside of work, photography is my greatest joy, bringing me immense comfort when I’m far away from my homeland and loved ones. Although I’ve stayed in Antarctica uninterrupted for nearly 500 days, the scenery here and everything that happens still never get old to 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—and that’s what keeps me passionate about 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 winds and 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 won’t fade with time.
Encountering an emperor penguin family
One very important filming technique I use in capturing Antarctica’s landscapes is time-lapse photography. Time-lapse is a method of compressing time, often using a few seconds of video to depict light and shadow changes over several minutes, hours, or even more than a day. Compared to regular video, time-lapse photography is more complicated, requiring you to trigger the shutter at fixed intervals to capture individual frames that will later form the time-lapse sequence. As a result, just a few seconds of time-lapse footage can require hundreds or even thousands of photos.
After setting up a shooting plan and positioning the camera, what I need to do is wait nearby or move to another location to set up additional cameras—this requires precise timing so I can end the shoot efficiently. This is where the PRW-50YAE’s timer function comes in handy. I don’t have to memorize the start time of each shoot and keep checking the dial; instead, I just plan the time-lapse schedule in advance, set the corresponding time on the watch, and then simply wait for the alert sound after the shoot starts—everything becomes well-organized. Although timing is a small feature, I use it frequently, saving me the hassle of frequently rolling up my sleeve to check my watch in the cold wind. It’s incredibly practical.
Icebergs and sea fog during a time-lapse shoot
Using the watch’s countdown function helps me shoot time-lapse videos more efficiently
In a few more days, my Antarctic scientific expedition will have been going on for two full months. 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 for working and living in Antarctica these past weeks. Beyond the functions I use regularly, I also really appreciate other features, such as the upgraded, more compact watch face, which minimizes impact on wrist movement during outdoor activities; and the solar-powered function, which completely eliminates concerns about sudden power loss during long treks.
Checking air pressure records on the Antarctic ice sheet
The PRO TREK performs reliably and excellently in Antarctica
Now, Antarctica is in the midst of polar day, with no nights for over two months. Even at midnight, the sun still hangs above the horizon, refusing to set. Having grown accustomed to the seasonal changes in Antarctica, I’m now looking forward to the upcoming polar nights, hoping to encounter the mysterious aurora once again under the night sky.
The dazzling aurora australis
Over the time I’ve used PRO TREK products, I’ve been deeply impressed by their refined details and user-friendly features. I also hope that in the days to come, the PRW-50YAE will accompany me through many more days and nights.