For someone who has experienced "freaky weather" in the Antarctic up close and personal, reports this week that baby Antarctic penguins are freezing to death due to "freak rain storms," came as no surprise.

The sad truth is there's been a lot of freaky things happening in the Antarctic lately.

The DeSmogBlog team is proud to introduce our newest blogger!

Please welcome Explorer Todd Carmichael, who on November 9th, 2008 will attempt to become the first American Explorer ever to complete a solo and unaided trek from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole.

Todd is an amazing individual and one that cares deeply about the state of the planet, especially the issue of climate change. Over the coming months Todd will be writing on DeSmog and his special section we're calling "Expedition Earth, Mission 2008: the South Pole," about preparations for his expedition and also on climate change issues and solutions.

Note: Please welcome our newest blogger, Explorer Todd Carmichael. Check out this video to learn a little more about Todd and read our welcome message here.

Soon I’'ll be standing at the intersection of 80 degrees West and 80 degrees South.

It’s a place I know well, a point seemingly on the edge of the planet, or close to it. Its name is Hercules Inlet and it is found on the very rim of Antarctica. Moments before I'll have shaken hands with my pilot and nervously watched as he teased his plane back into the sky. His name is Robert, his will be the last face I’ll see for nearly two months.

Even us Polar Explorers are on Facebook! While this is where you can find all the updates on my preparations for the trip and daily dispatches when I'm in the South Pole, you can also find them on here on the Expedition Earth Facebook group.

Please join and help spread the message by asking all your friends on Facebook to join up as well!

Thanks!