April 29, 2017

Weather causes us to work indoors

Midnight at EGRIP. The Sun will not set in the next 3.5 months. Temp. -34°C, wind 22 kt from S.

Early Saturday the wind picked up and temperatures continued to drop. The combination of 20 – 28 kt wind and temperature of -35°C created dangerously low wind chill factors. Although it got warmer during the day, the wind remained strong enough to maintain a steady flow of blowing snow. It was impossible to do work on the skiway, and work outside was hard. We therefore mainly worked indoors.
The really good news today was that the overhaul of the main generator was completed at 16.00. Camp is now powered by the “new” main generator.
As we need the skiway in the best condition we can produce, we decided to postpone the planed flight on Sunday, April 30th to Monday, May 1st.
Saturday evening was celebrated quite casually, with a good meal and easy-going company. Everybody is well and no one suffered frostbite.

What we did today:

1. Overhaul on main generator completed. Adjustments completed. Camp now running on main power.
2. Outfitted four weatherports with bunkbeds.
3. Removed snow around the dome.
4. Yanmar snowblower is broken, needs a welding job.
5. Cutting and removing snow blocks from trenches.
6. Working on electrical wiring, and modifying lamps for the cold.

Ad.3: A platform for the new cooks snow melter was made.

Weather today: In the morning overcast and snow, later clear. Wind strong during most of the day. At 17.00 the wind turned 180 degrees and increased. Temp. -16°C to -35°C. Wind: 12 – 24 kt from SW turning to S. Visibility: 1 km to horizon.

FL, J.P. Steffensen

Jesper from PM Energy is completing the overhaul of the main generator.

Jesper from PM Energy makes the final valve adjustments on the generator engine.

Good company in the cupola: Grant, Jesper and Trevor.