August 1, 2006 - Arriving at Umiat, The Expedition Begins Options

[Jason_Petula]

Early this morning we departed the airport in Fairbanks aboard a Cessna Caravan for Umiat. Umiat is a permanent field camp situated on the North Slope. After unloading the plane, we began transporting our equipment to the Colville River. Fortunately, the boats were already put together.

While one group transported equipment to the river, another flew with helicopters to sling some of the heavier materials to the camp site and atop the bluff. By the time both parties completed their tasks, it was decided to delay departing down the river until the following morning. There was not enough room in the camp for everyone, so four of us elected to pitch our tents on a gravel bar by the river and keep an eye on the boats.


Research team loading boat on water tank