August 8, 2017

End of season is becoming a reality

Aslak launching the Cumulus 1 Drone at the southern margin of the NEGIS ice stream.

Two weeks to the pull out of EGRIP… It is slowly becoming a reality for all in camp. Science programs are planning the final days. The drillers are going into the last week drilling and preparations for the next year have started like the lifting of the white garage. How can time pass so fast..

What we did today:

1. Deep drilling core length at 19.00: 9.18 m.
2. Drillers depth at 19.00: 844.34 m.
3. Shallow drilling of the S3 core: length 9.74 m, depth 125.46 m.
4. Water vapour, methane, aerosols, snow and boundary layer measurements.
5. Physical properties measurements.
6. Water isotope sampling for sublimation studies.
7. Grooming of skiway.
8. Windows in Dome polished.
9. White tent replaced and snow floor established.
10. Japanese pit study finalized.
11. Last GPS and Drone missions to the southern ice stream margin.

Ad. 8. It was remarkable how much more light entered the Dome after washing the windows – especially inside.
Ad. 9. The white garage tent has been replaced on a new snow hill so it is ready to overwinter and be accessible next year. Thanks to Sverrir and Chris and many helpers for the good job done.
Ad. 10. The Japanese pit to 2.2 m is made close to the drill site of the S3 core. Kumiko and Wataru are nearly finished on the pictures below.
Ad. 11. Marie and Aslak made the last of the longer skidoo trips to the southern margin of the ice stream to complete the grid of Drone flights over the ice stream.

Weather: Sunny with periods groundfog from midnight, wind 0-3 m/s from W, temperatures -25°C to -12°C.

FL, Dorthe Dahl-Jensen

Kumiko and Wataru in the Japanese pit.

Sverrir and Chris replacing the White Garage with the Pistenbully crane.