May 26, 2022

Working on science and restoring camp at the same time

Elements of cabin are assembled to make an isotope laboratory for the drone team.

Today, the Basler flew to Kangerlussuaq. We are now without aircraft until Monday. Two science projects are underway: A team will be flying a drone to collect water vapour at various heights in the atmosphere. The samples will be analysed in a laboratory on the surface. Another team will be sampling surface snow, also for isotope analysis among other things. Both projects aim at a better understanding of how the atmosphere links to the snow surface, and this will help in our interpretation of the climate record of ice cores. At the same time, a group of people work on excavating and restoring camp to full functionality. It is not easy to compensate for three years of neglect.
However, we all make progress, and EGRIP camp looks more and more organized – a far cry from the buried state almost three weeks ago.

What we did today:

1. Handling Basler departure to Kangerlussuaq.
2. Excavation and emptying carpenter’s garage in progress.
3. Cleaning up in camp and cargo line.
4. Flexmobil no.2 is now running.
5. Removing ice and snow blocks around carpenter’s garage.
6. Casting cable duct towards science trench.
7. Built Viessmann cabin and tent on the surface for the drone project.
8. Working on electrical cables in camp.
9. Regular maintenance on air craft fuel pump.

Weather today: Blue sky. Temp. -28°C to -20°C. Wind: 4-9 kt from SW. QNH 1012 hPa. Visibility: Unrestricted.

FL, J.P. Steffensen