May 16, 2017

We are beginning to prepare for a flight in two days

From the drillers control cabin. Sepp is saying “hello”.

When a flight period approaches, there is a sequence of events leading up the event. We began readying the skiway and apron a few days ago. At the same time, load plans have been exchanged, revised and exchanged between Kangerlussuaq and EGRIP camp.Today we built pallets containing return cargo to Kangerlussuaq.
Also today, we got good news and bad news. Our broken Pistenbully can be repaired without getting a mechanic here. We’ve just ordered a few spare parts. That were the good news. The bad news are that the drillers have issues with both the new and the old electronic system to control the drill, so they had to use the third option: The motor section of our Hans Tausen drill. It works fine, but it contains no sensors for such as inclination, temperature, motor current, pressure etc. It is much less sophisticated that the full electronic version; but it can be operated to drill ice cores until the issues with the other controls are solved.

What we did today:

1. All skiway and lead-in markers revised. Skiway tested.
2. Work in the drilling trench.
3. Building two pallets for flight on Thursday.
4. Test of radar.
5. Repaired exhaust on Caterpillar.
6. Working on intermediate winch and electrical system in camp.
7. Excavation of the PROMICE weather station complete.
8. Making ice core trough holders for shelf system in core buffer.
9. German snow sampling.
10. Japanese aerosol sampling and snow experiments in progress.
11. Water vapour sampling, methane sampling, boundary layer and meteorology station working.

Ad.1: Skiway is found even, hard and fast.
Ad.2: The new electronic package has issues and people are working to solve them. The old electronics has a communication issue with the surface console, it will be worked on tomorrow. Reaming of the borehole was completed today using the HT-motor section. Drillers are now ready to begin casing the borehole tomorrow.

Weather today: Sunshine all day. Temp. -15°C to -27°C. Wind: 10-15 kt from SW. Visibility: To horizon.

FL, J.P. Steffensen

The ice core buffer under construction.