The book of the polar explorer L.S. Govorukha tells about wintering in the South Shetland Islands, where scientists from different countries work hard at several scientific stations. Describing the work and life of polar explorers, talking about their research, the author simultaneously makes sketches of the peculiar nature of the Subantarctic. The second part of the book is entirely devoted to the International Volcanological Expedition to the island-volcano Deception.