June 13, 2024

Goodbye to the Winkie team

Nicholas and Mori taking apart the anti-torque section of the intermediate drill in the white tent, preparing to terminate the cable tomorrow.

In the morning the Basler departed towards Kanger with most of the GreenDrill team. Just after noon the scheduled skier arrived and gave fuel to camp. As the wind vanished and temperatures rose close to the melting point, we were worried that the Skier would have difficulties to take off, but in the end the take-off took just a couple of minutes and was successful in first attempt using just 2/3 of the skiway. After dinner, JP went out to groom the skiway removing the tracks of the skier and of the Basler tail wheel that tends to dig itself into the snow. As we expect another skier mission on Saturday the Skiway it is important that the skiway stays in good conditions. In the white tent the drill is about to be assembled and we are hoping to see the first ice core next week.

What we did today:

1. Continued setting up intermediate drill system in white tent.
2. Said goodbye to Winkie team and Basler.
3. Received Skier 41 with fuel and retro.
4. Collected retro cargo for next skier mission.
5. Groomed skiway after Herc and Basler use.
6. Dug new outhouse.

Weather today: This has been the warmest day of the year with midday temperatures approaching the melting point. Temp. from -14°C to -2°C. Wind: 0-8 kt from varying directions.

We have seen a C-130 being loaded before, but not so often someone driving a skidoo onto the plane. JP is watching the fuel counter in the background.

Iben and Kyra are digging themselves into the snow as a service for the community.