May 20, 2015

EGRIP traverse going uphill

Like snails, we bring along our house. The building has four levels.

Today we made good time, and drove 65 km in fine snow conditions, without any major incidients.
We are slowly finding a traverse routine. Following the wise advice of Pat, we pushed for an early start; but even then there are many things to check and adjustments to be made.
The two flexmobils started first, followed by the Pistenbully pulling the GrIT sled. The last to depart were the CASE with the dome and the Pistenbully with the sled train. The tractors arrived at our present destination in almost reverse order.
Also, following the advice of Pat, we decided to stop at 18.00 as snow conditions change for the worse after 18.00.
Again today, three science groups swarmed around the traverse train like busy bees.
In the evening, at 22.00 the Twin Otter aeroplane stopped by. And Koni Steffen and his PARCA crew stay another night.
We are temporarily 17 persons in camp.

What we have done today:

1. Refuelling aeroplane and sending our PARCA guest on their way.
2. Service on vehicles. Repairing a loose side plate on Pistenbully.
3. Flexmobils left at 9.30, and main train followed at 10.15 At 18.00 we all had arrived at Waypoint 17 (76.82N, 45.94W, 144 km from NEEM site).
4. Measurement of radar and GPS en-route.
5. Snow sampling en-route.
6. For the second time: Received Twin Otter flight with the PARCA weather station crew. Six more persons stay in camp tonight.
7. Contact with our colleagues on the Renland Ice cap.

Ad.7: The Renland team does now have internet connection, so today we only greeted each other. Read daily from Renland.

NEEM weather: Beautiful and slightly windy day, much glare and haze. Temp. -15°C to -23°C, 2-5 m/s from SSE. Visibility: 1 km to unrestricted.

FL, J.P. Steffensen