Description
McMurdo Dry Valleys represent the largest ice-free area in Antarctica. Located near McMurdo (USA) and Scott (NZ) bases, they feature an environment as inhospitable as it is fragile. Among the most arid and windiest places on the planet, they harbor a unique ecosystem unchanged for millions of years, with few plants managing to thrive there. They have been granted special protected status. A few square kilometers in Taylor Valley, out of 15,000 km² total, are open to tourism.
Wright Glacier, above Wright Valley, is divided into two sections separated by spectacular glacial cascades. It gives rise to one of the continent's rare rivers, Onyx, the longest at 30 kilometers.