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Arctic Dinosaur Ecosystem: North Slope, Alaska

Rocks for Wyatt Uploaded by: Jason_Petula On: 1157853035 File Size: 15346 Comments: 0 / Views: 1644 Description: A great number of bad weather days have restricted us to camp because it is too dangerous to clamber up the bluff to the quarry. With little to do at camp, I often explore the gravel lined beaches of the Colville River searching for interesting rocks for my two-year old son Wyatt. These are examples of the many colors of rocks found along the river.	Chris Stops Slip with ... Uploaded by: Jason_Petula On: 1156871547 File Size: 66261 Comments: 0 / Views: 1885 Description: Chris Strganac uses a mattock to stop his descent down the bluff into the Colville River. Most of the trail has slumped into the river and the portion that remains is extremely muddy and slippery.	Preparing to Leave Umiat Uploaded by: Jason_Petula On: 1156465249 File Size: 30015 Comments: 0 / Views: 1974 Description: Despite poor weather, the pilots of Wrights Air Service managed to arrive in Umiat on time. All expedition gear and samples are loaded onto Cessna Caravans for the flight back to Fairbanks.	Slinging the Skull fro... Uploaded by: Jason_Petula On: 1156465091 File Size: 16184 Comments: 0 / Views: 1946 Description: A moment of relief overcomes all team members as the skull makes it way to Umiat. The helicopter pilot estimated the skull jacket weighs 800 pounds.
Dino Group with Skull ... Uploaded by: Jason_Petula On: 1156464919 File Size: 51829 Comments: 0 / Views: 1965 Description: A few of the Dino Group pose with the huge jacket containing the prized skull. It took a tremendous effort to get the skull liberated from the quarry. The only step remaining is successfully slinging it to Umiat.	Team Member Boarding H... Uploaded by: Jason_Petula On: 1156464757 File Size: 33055 Comments: 0 / Views: 1914 Description: One team member had to be extracted from the field due to a potential eye injury. The Search and Rescue team reports that it can rescue anyone on the North Slope within 90 minutes. Everyone was happy to learn that the extracted team member was doing well back in Fairbanks.	Search and Rescue Team... Uploaded by: Jason_Petula On: 1156464545 File Size: 27655 Comments: 0 / Views: 1939 Description: This is the logo on the helicopter for the Search and Rescue team from Barrow.	Colville River from He... Uploaded by: Jason_Petula On: 1156464397 File Size: 39284 Comments: 0 / Views: 1915 Description: The Colville River is below my feet as Chris and I are lifted back to camp after struggling to get the skull in the sling net atop the quarry.
Cesna 206 Uploaded by: Jason_Petula On: 1156464250 File Size: 42274 Comments: 0 / Views: 2071 Description: A Cesna 206 was used to extract all team members from the field back to Umiat. The large wheels on the plane allowed it to land on gravel bars near our campsite. Unfortunately, it could not land closer to our campsite. As a result, we had to drag ALL gear a few hundred yards, through a tangle of willows, so the plane could be loaded with gear. Each flight carried gear and one person.	Arctic Ground Squirrel Uploaded by: Jason_Petula On: 1156464012 File Size: 68413 Comments: 0 / Views: 1991 Description: The arctic ground squirrel (a.k.a. - sic sic) often visits the quarry. These rabbit sized animals have terrorized the research team for weeks on end using uncanny methods of distraction. A high pitched bark draws all attention to a sic sic next to the quarry. With all eyes focused on the noisy sic sic, its other family members chew through packs to steal lunches.	Plastering in Pouring ... Uploaded by: Jason_Petula On: 1156325089 File Size: 40602 Comments: 0 / Views: 2015 Description: Chris and Thomas add additional pieces of plaster covered burlap to an undercut portion of the pachyrhinosaur skull. Even though conventional methods yield poor results when plastering in cold rain, the team has no choice. The skull most be rolled free from the quarry tomorrow or it will be lost.	Tony Plastering Prized... Uploaded by: Jason_Petula On: 1156324906 File Size: 57733 Comments: 0 / Views: 2055 Description: No longer able to await better weather, Tony races against the clock to jacket and remove a potentially articulated pachyrhinosaur skull. The skull is locked in solid rock and many days have been spent carefully chiseling the skull free from the frozen tundra. If the skull cannot be freed soon, it will be left behind and probably lost to the Colville River as the quarry continues to slump.
Chris with Plaster Hands Uploaded by: Jason_Petula On: 1156324670 File Size: 48565 Comments: 0 / Views: 2064 Description: Our extraction date for this expedition is fast approaching. Because so many days have been lost to poor weather, we are working in conditions not particularly suitable for working with plaster. One method we have used in our race against the clock is heating water on a portable campers stove. Chris Strganac (Southern Methodist University) can be seen mixing plaster with his hands as we race to get a jacket around the skull of a pachyrhinosaur.	Ok to Enter Caribou Lo... Uploaded by: Jason_Petula On: 1156324277 File Size: 54321 Comments: 0 / Views: 2047 Description: Thomas drew on some river rocks so people would know when the Caribou Lounge (i.e. - bathroom) was occupied. This side of the rock implied it was safe to proceed further. Another message on the reverse side of the rock clearly let you know to stay back.	First Helicopter Sling Uploaded by: Jason_Petula On: 1156324115 File Size: 19170 Comments: 0 / Views: 1998 Description: Despite a morning snow storm, we were able to work at the quarry today because the NOVA film crew arrived at camp with a helicopter. The helicopter took us to the quarry so the film crew could get some shots. They offered to take some materials to Umiat for us. This photo shows the first jacket flying from the quarry.	Dino Camp Uploaded by: Jason_Petula On: 1156323725 File Size: 49454 Comments: 0 / Views: 1958 Description: This is a view from my tent of the Dino Camp. The large tent is designed for eight people and presently serves as our kitchen, den, library, and place to sit in bad weather.
Snow in August Uploaded by: Jason_Petula On: 1156323564 File Size: 31939 Comments: 0 / Views: 1930 Description: Nothing makes you want to get out of your tent in the morning then freshly fallen snow. Weather in the Arctic is unusal. One moment it can be 50 degrees with partly sunny skies. Five minutes later, freezing rain accompanied by bone chilling winds. This is why seasoned researchers always carry a day pack with them loaded with a variety of clothes.	Field Sketch of Pachyr... Uploaded by: Jason_Petula On: 1156323300 File Size: 40662 Comments: 0 / Views: 2056 Description: This field sketch of a pachyrhinosaur was drawn by Thomas Adams while he waited for bad weather to clear.	Thomas Drawing a Pachy... Uploaded by: Jason_Petula On: 1156323095 File Size: 32420 Comments: 0 / Views: 1902 Description: Thomas Adams (Southern Methodist University) is a gifted artist. Although he is modest about his work, everyone in camp is fascinated with his talent.	Doloris Uncovers a Din... Uploaded by: Jason_Petula On: 1156322789 File Size: 51374 Comments: 0 / Views: 1867 Description: Dolores van derKolk (University of Alaska - Fairbanks) poses next to a large dinosaur bone she uncovered at the Liscomb bed. Many bones similar to this were found during our visit to this site.