Elf Crash Murphy is Santa’s Eye-in-the-Sky reporter for North Pole Radio News. He is most famous for his Christmas Eve radio news reports as he follows Santa’s sleigh around the world.
In fact, the Tracker Elf program at SantaTrackers.net was inspired by Crash’s efforts to track Santa every Christmas. On many occasions during his flights behind Santa’s sleigh he has been able to help Santa by providing information. Crash’s help in tracking Santa for Santa gave Santa the idea to have tracker elves all over the world.
Since the beginning of the Tracker Elf program Crash has served as an Elf Trainer and a member of Santa’s Council on developing both the website and the growing community of Tracker Elves worldwide.
Crash is also an informal answer man for those curious about North Pole life. He has a regular feature on SantaUpdate.com called “Ask Elf Crash“, where he answers some of the most common questions we receive.
Crash is a co-host of two special podcasts, the North Pole Podcast here on SantaUpdate.com and the Santa Tracker’s Podcast over at SantaTrackers.net.
| Elf Ernest | Hello everyone. We will begin at the top of the hour or whenever Elf Crash shows up! |
| Elf Ulan | Hello, Elf Ernest! |
| Elf Ernest | Hi there! |
| Elf Jolly | Hi! |
| Elf Crusader | Hello all |
| Elf Crusader | Hi Ernest! |
| Crash Murphy | Hi y’all |
| Elf Ernest | Ah, Crash, you’re here! |
| Elf Crusader | Hello crash |
| Elf Ernest | Folks, this is a very informal chat today. Crash and I will talk for a couple of minutes and then I’ll open it up for questions, ok? |
| Crash Murphy | Outstanding. Let’s go. |
| Elf Crusader | Yes sir |
| Elf Ernest | Crash, what are you up to? |
| Crash Murphy | Well I know it feels a little quiet to folks but there’s actually a lot going on right now |
| Elf Ernest | Yes, this is typically one of our slowest times of the year |
| Elf Ernest | How do you see the “flow” of the elf year, Crash? |
| Crash Murphy | Well, you know, after Christmas we’re all really tired and ready for a break |
| Crash Murphy | Then the reindeer leave and we settle into a winter routine of work |
| Crash Murphy | Santa called Toyvember so that makes this winter a little different and it seems to me to be going on FOREVER |
| Elf Ernest | Are you working on anything for Toyvember? |
| Crash Murphy | I’ve been trying to. But every time I go to my garage I end up working on my trike |
| Elf Ernest | Yeah, I know that’s a passion for you |
| Crash Murphy | Once the weather gets a little better in some parts of the world we start to see elves taking some vacation time. We get a window of vacation from Easter until about Christmas in July and then from August until about Canadian Thanksgiving. |
| Elf Ernest | Are you taking vacation time this year? |
| Crash Murphy | Yeah, I’ll do some time in a boat, trying to scare up some fish somewhere |
| Elf Ernest | I had no idea you were a fisherman, Crash! |
| Crash Murphy | I’m not. I usually have to take some cheeseburgers with me because I’m a lousy fisherman. |
| Elf Ernest | Hahaha. So why do you do it? |
| Crash Murphy | I think just to get away and relax |
| Elf Ernest | Are you ready to take some questions? We have a lot of tracker elves with us today |
| Crash Murphy | Heck yeah! |
| Crash Murphy | A lot going on there |
| Elf Ernest | Ok guys, let’s take it one at a time. Who has a question for Elf Crash? |
| Elf Crusader | I do. |
| Elf Ernest | Fire away |
| Elf Crusader | So Crash, now that I’m a senior elf what do you think Santa expects from me? |
| Crash Murphy | Well, Crusader, first of all, congratulations. |
| Crash Murphy | I love the whole senior elf idea |
| Elf Crusader | Thank you Crash |
| Crash Murphy | And I think we’re all still getting used to the thing |
| Crash Murphy | But based on everything I see Max doing with the website I think the senior elf team is going to need to be ready to answer a lot of questions |
| Crash Murphy | And to help new elves navigate it all |
| Crash Murphy | It just can’t be Max any more who does the heavy lifting. |
| Elf Crusader | Something I already do |
| Crash Murphy | I think he needs you guys |
| Crash Murphy | Yes, you do already to it but I think you’re going to do a lot more |
| Crash Murphy | The changes and stuff on the website are just staggering to me |
| Elf Crusader | Oh |
| Crash Murphy | This is going to be a big year of adjustment |
| Elf Crusader | Wow |
| Crash Murphy | I also think Santa will be using your podcast to reach some people too |
| Elf Crusader | Really? Cool! |
| Crash Murphy | Since Max redid the podcast page the listeners to the podcasts have gone off the charts |
| Elf Crusader | Btw, when are we supposed to start that |
| Crash Murphy | Have you see that redone page? |
| Elf Crusader | No I haven’t Crash |
| Crash Murphy | I don’t know when we start it. I think the chat today with Max might give us a clue. I understand he will be announcing some pretty big things |
| Elf Crusader | Awesome! |
| Crash Murphy | You should check out that page, it has the Crusader Christmas podcast in its own section |
| Elf Ernest | Who else has a question? |
| Elf Crusader | Cool! I’m gonna go see it now, and let someone else answer |
| Elf Jolly | I do! |
| Elf Crusader | And thank you Crash |
| Crash Murphy | Go ahead, Elf Jolly |
| Elf Jolly | How can we tell if a website is from the North Pole? Like not actually affiliated with Santa, just who they say they are. |
| Crash Murphy | Well, you know us – meaning Elf Ernest, me, Elf Crusader, etc. All you have to do is ask one of us and we’ll tell you |
| Crash Murphy | All of the Official North Pole Websites are tied with the same links |
| Elf Crusader | Where do I find the podcasts Ernest? |
| Elf Jolly | Ok! |
| Crash Murphy | I know there is a lot out there and it can be confusing |
| Elf Ernest | Hang on Crusader, I’ll get the link |
| Elf Ernest | Here you go – https://santatrackers.net/the-santa-tracker-podcast |
| Elf Crusader | Thank You |
| Elf Ernest | Who else might have a question for Crash? |
| Elf Crusader | I have another one |
| Crash Murphy | I gotta tell you – the chat with Max today is a total mystery to me. So I’ll be there for sure. |
| Crash Murphy | Go ahead, Crusader |
| Crash Murphy | Oh, and Hi to Elf Ulan in Japan – one of my favorite elves!!! |
| Elf Crusader | Crash, will there be more than one North Pole naturalist? I think it should be available to more elves |
| Elf Crusader | The more help I have, the better |
| Crash Murphy | I don’t know the answer to that one, Elf Crusader. I suppose it’s possible, but you’d have to ask Elf Sandy Claus or Santa, I guess |
| Crash Murphy | Are you saying you want an assistant? |
| Elf Crusader | Sorta |
| Elf Crusader | Yes |
| Crash Murphy | Hahaha – Elf Big Shot! |
| Elf Crusader | Very funny |
| Elf Ernest | Crash, the chat with Max today – you’re not in on those changes? |
| Crash Murphy | No, I’m not. That one has been all Roger, Santa and Max. I was going to ask you what was going on? |
| Elf Crusader | I’m gonna have to ask Santa the next time I get a chance |
| Elf Ernest | LOL, I’m the news department. Nobody tells me anything |
| Crash Murphy | Yeah, r-i-g-h-t |
| Elf Ernest | What’s that suppose to mean? |
| Crash Murphy | You know everything and everyone, Ernest |
| Elf Crusader | Aren’t you the head elf Ernest? |
| Elf Ernest | Nah, people avoid me because they don’t want what they know in the news |
| Elf Jolly | I have another question! |
| Elf Ernest | No, I’m not the head elf. I run the News Department so that gives me a lot of exposure |
| Crash Murphy | Go ahead, Elf Jolly |
| Elf Ernest | Santa is the head elf, by the way |
| Elf Crusader | Ok, this is for you both: what’s the deal with all those planes flying over |
| Elf Ernest | What planes? |
| Elf Crusader | I knew that. Sorry I got confused |
| Crash Murphy | Huh? Planes? |
| Elf Jolly | Where exactly is Santa’s North Pole? Is it spread across the region of the North Pole, or is it in one place? |
| Elf Crusader | There was something on CNN here in the US about Russia flying planes over the pile |
| Elf Crusader | *pole* |
| Crash Murphy | Elf Jolly, that’s a fair question |
| Elf Ulan | I have some small questions too |
| Crash Murphy | Remember that Santa has facilities all over the world, not just the North Pole |
| Elf Crusader | He does? |
| Crash Murphy | The reindeer ranches for example, he has one on nearly every continent |
| Crash Murphy | But when you think of the North Pole and Santa, most people think of Santa’s workshop |
| Elf Crusader | Whaaaaat?! I didn’t know that |
| Crash Murphy | And Santa’s workshop is close to the North Pole but not exactly right on top of the pole |
| Crash Murphy | Does that make sense? |
| Elf Jolly | Yes! |
| Elf Crusader | Is Santa’s house at the pole? |
| Crash Murphy | And to support the workshop he’s got other facilities – like warehouses to receive materials for the workshop to make things with |
| Crash Murphy | Some of those are inland and stuff is flown in by sleigh |
| Crash Murphy | But there are also coastal warehouses up by Russia, Alaska and Greenland coastlines |
| Elf Crusader | Does the pole ever get warm? |
| Crash Murphy | The North Pole is actually a big, big place but a lot of people don’t realize it. |
| Crash Murphy | The North Pole weather does fluctuate seasonally |
| Crash Murphy | But we always have snow for Christmas in July |
| Crash Murphy | And bad weather can and does hit all 12 months of the year |
| Crash Murphy | It’s actually a very tough place |
| Elf Crusader | So , if the US is in spring; so is the pole? |
| Crash Murphy | As you know, I’m originally from the Southern part of the USA |
| Crash Murphy | So coming here was a huge adjustment for me |
| Elf Crusader | Georgia, correct? If I remember correctly from my podcast |
| Crash Murphy | The North Pole has 10 months of winter and two months of a late fall. Spring is for planting tulips in greenhouses at the North Pole. |
| Crash Murphy | Yes, Georgia |
| Elf Crusader | Crash, why does Santa want me to do that podcast |
| Crash Murphy | To spread the word about the mission at SantaTrackers.net. I don’t know everything but the tracking experience is maturing. Changing. |
| Elf Crusader | I kinda feel like I’m the only tracker talking here |
| Crash Murphy | I think Santa wants a lot of help getting elves on the same page |
| Elf Crusader | I guess that explains it. Thank You |
| Crash Murphy | Hearing from more of us will help elves out there who are really trying |
| Elf Jolly | Also, is there an actual elf species? |
| Elf Ernest | Crash, what’s your personal view of all the changes going on with Trackers? |
| Crash Murphy | Golly, elf species…. |
| Crash Murphy | I feel like a scientist now |
| Elf Crusader | Now you kinda know what it feels like to be a naturalist lol |
| Crash Murphy | Elves are human, Elf Jolly. That’s as technical as I can get. Every elf I have met is just a regular person |
| Elf Jolly | Ok, that makes a ton of sense. |
| Crash Murphy | Ernest, to answer your question I’m very excited about the tracker program. |
| Crash Murphy | Santa is wrapping his arms around it and really taking us to new levels |
| Elf Crusader | Crash, how big is Santa’s house? Is. It actually a castle? |
| Crash Murphy | I personally think it’s going to be a lot more fun |
| Crash Murphy | No Santa’s house is not a castle. It’s big but not as big as people imagine. |
| Crash Murphy | If there’s one thing unique about Santa’s house it’s his bathroom |
| Crash Murphy | I usually make it a point to chug a ton of eggnog before I go to the Claus house because I love the bathroom |
| Elf Crusader | Huh? His bathroom why? |
| Crash Murphy | Well, really, it’s Mrs. Claus’ bathroom |
| Crash Murphy | And she is so fastidious. Everything is SO CLEAN and it smells like…. |
| Crash Murphy | dang…how to describe it? |
| Crash Murphy | Like Pine needles, I guess |
| Crash Murphy | But that toilet….good golly, it’s the biggest throne you’ve ever seen |
| Elf Crusader | That’s a little tmi |
| Crash Murphy | And when you flush it….it goes woosh in the coolest way |
| Crash Murphy | No, I’m telling you it’s an experience |
| Crash Murphy | Just like everything else at Santa’s house |
| Crash Murphy | Although Santa calls it Mrs. Claus’ house and he teases her that he’s just a guest in her house |
| Crash Murphy | Hahaha |
| Elf Ernest | Ok, guys, we need to wrap it up – last questions? |
| Elf Jolly | Is the North Pole Times actually at the pole? |
| Elf Ulan | I do |
| Elf Crusader | Last one: are you ready for my second podcast interview with you |
| Elf Ernest | The North Pole Times is AT the North Pole but it is not run BY the North Pole. So not an official North Pole website. Good guys over there. A lot of former elves. |
| Crash Murphy | I think Frank or Harold or Roger will soon give us more information about the next podcast, Crusader |
| Elf Ernest | Do you have a question, Elf Ulan? |
| Elf Ulan | I wanted to ask about reindeer and Santa and your sleighs |
| Crash Murphy | Ok, Elf Ulan |
| Elf Ulan | Thank you! |
| Elf Ulan | About reindeer, Rudolph is the first position for Santa’s sleigh. How about other reindeer? Do they have the same positions every year or different depending on their conditions? How was last year? |
| Crash Murphy | Santa’s reindeer have set positions most of the time. But they can also be changed out. |
| Elf Ulan | And do you have a vet there? |
| Crash Murphy | Rudolph is frequently in the lead but sometimes Santa puts Comet out there. |
| Crash Murphy | And you can count on Donner and Blitzen always being the anchors, closest to the sleigh |
| Crash Murphy | They are really the leaders of the team |
| Crash Murphy | They hear Santa best because they are closest to him |
| Crash Murphy | And they are powerful. As those two go, so goes the whole team |
| Crash Murphy | People do not know that each reindeer has a role. |
| Crash Murphy | Rudolph out front is the eyes of the team |
| Crash Murphy | Behind him, usually Comet and Vixen – see side to side, and are kind of in tune with weather hazards |
| Crash Murphy | Behind them is Dasher and Dancer and their role besides helping to pull is to kind of be the radar in landing and taking off. That’s a skill |
| Crash Murphy | Prancer and Cupid are kind of the team doctors. They keep eyes on everyone else and take over roles as others get tired |
| Crash Murphy | There is so much going on with the reindeer. |
| Elf Ulan | Wow, great! |
| Elf Ernest | Great question, Elf Ulan! |
| Elf Ulan | Thank you! And |
| Elf Ernest | Crash – I think we need to have an article or a podcast or something on that topic. VERY interesting |
| Crash Murphy | Yeah, I think Santa should answer those questions. I’ve learned some of this over time just by watching |
| Crash Murphy | But I’m no expert |
| Elf Ulan | About Santa’s Sleigh, I think your current sleigh is new. Does his sleigh make every year or repair some parts? Who designed it? Elf Big Sled Ted? I want to see you and his sleighs someday in the future. It’s one of my dreams. |
| Crash Murphy | I’ll just say it is a real honor to see them work with Santa |
| Crash Murphy | The work of Santa requires constant readjustment, Elf Ulan |
| Crash Murphy | He always is trying to improve |
| Crash Murphy | He also loves vehicles and going fast |
| Crash Murphy | So he orders a new sleigh every year |
| Crash Murphy | Just in the name of improving and going faster |
| Crash Murphy | It is designed by the Research and Development Department |
| Crash Murphy | Flight Command tests it |
| Crash Murphy | And they work on it a lot |
| Crash Murphy | Before Santa takes it out on Christmas |
| Crash Murphy | After the season is over it goes right to the Sleigh Museum |
| Crash Murphy | Only rarely does Santa re-use a sleigh |
| Elf Ulan | How nice! |
| Crash Murphy | Big Sled Ted is like me, just an elf in the cause. Great guy |
| Elf Ulan | Do you have a museum for the sleighs |
| Elf Ernest | Ok, everyone. We’re out of time. Crash, thank you! |
| Crash Murphy | Oh yes, the Sleigh Museum at the North Pole gets a lot of visits |
| Crash Murphy | Thank you everyone! |
| Crash Murphy | This was a really fun chat! |
| Elf Ernest | Thanks, Crash! |
| Elf Ernest | Thank you everyone for being here! |
| Elf Ulan | Than you Elf Crash! |
| Elf Ulan | Thank you Elf Ernest! |
| Elf Ernest | Thank you Elf Ulan – AWESOME questions! |
| Elf Jolly | Thank you Elf Crash and Elf Ernest! |
| Elf Ulan | I’m very happy to hear that! |
