Progress

Guest

It looks like things are progressing along. Are you on target to have research completed by the time you are scheduled to leave? Is it possible that you will have to stay longer? Is that something that the camp is prepared for with extra provisions?

Guest

Sandy's husband votes "NO!"

Cannot extend their stay!

Sandy is missed too much at home by her husband, daughter, son & dautghter -in-law, GRAND DAUGHTER and many others!!

Hurry home....safely!

Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 64

The research is right on track! The Principle Investigators for this project, Al Werner and Steve Roof, have spent a lot of time preparing for this research expedition over the past year. They have done an outstanding job at all that is required to keep us both safe and productive.

That being said, there are times when one must improvise! Remember in the movie Apollo 13 when the ground crew must consider only the resources at hand and devise a way to save the day? I have been reminded of that on a couple occassions when certain unexpected things happen. For example, a special water-wind-cold resistant computer was purchased for use in the field. Unfortunately, it was not as hardy as it was supposed to be. It died quite early into the research. That has meant that other computers must be carefully protected and hauled to various remote research sites on a regular basis to download data. It also means that some memory capacity is no longer available and there is one less computer for data processing and analysis. It is a set back, but certainly not unsurmountable! It will not compromise data or delay our progress in any way that will negatively affect the outcome of the mission. It just means a little more work and a lot of cooperation is involved.

Another problem is that we have a lot of research gear, but it is not always easy to anticipate the quantities of items that will be needed. Sometimes there is a need to make due with what is available and remember to bring more next year! Often, items are made or a design is improved upon according to need. The waterproof field journals are essential for recording what works, what doesn't work and what is needed next time out, along with the quantitative and qualitative data and thoughts on the day's objective.

I have been quite impressed with how well the electronic equipment has functioned, considering the conditions. Even an avalanche did not totally take out one of the weather stations ability to provide certain data, though the reindeer sure did a number on one other site! The equipment brought along with us has worked well, and I don't often hear that something else that was needed was left behind or not thought of.

The logistics of getting to and from a place like this can be quite challenging, as noted by difficulties just getting out of the US and the diversion through Paris just to get here. I think (hope?) our return will be easier. The sea ice has been gone for the past several days and hopefully will not compromise our departure. Al and Steve will coordinate with UNIS to make sure there is a back-up plan, just in case! They have been in daily contact, as a safety precaution, the whole time we have been here. At this time, the plan is to start returning to the base camp the heavy gear that must come back with us as soon as it is no longer needed. Hauling the Zodiac back will be one of the last challenging tasks. It is heavy and the terrain is rough for several kilometers, making it quite a chore. Most items that must be packed out will be brought back in the last days. Several electronic data collectors will stay here, recording data over the winter, and lots of other gear will be left to accommodate those who return during the next years of the project.

Soooo . . . you can all relax! All is on schedule and there is little, if any chance that our return will be delayed. If for some unexpected reason that happened, which I emphasize it won't, we always have food available here, though maybe not what we most like to eat!

This is a wonderful experience and a great opportunity, but six weeks is probably long enough for all of us! As we near the 2/3 mark, I hear participants talking more about home and family and what they will be doing upon their return. I find myself thinking about some of my own plans now as I fall asleep each night. That is only something you can allow yourself to do as you near the end or the experience!