22 July 2004

Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 23

Another good day at Mould Bay. This morning I visited the class with Charles who spoke about his experiences and thoughts on the project and hummock in the Arctic.

After a hot lunch I headed into the field with Gary and Chien-Lu. They had dug a soil pit very close to the ocean in a very wet area and still had some sampling to do. Then we headed to another spot to dig one more soil pit. It was really close to the beach so theoretically, I spent a day at the beach...in a down jacket and gloves! I did put my hand into the water but it was mighty cold!

Taking pH samples of the various types of soils in the pit

The beach at Mould Bay...quite chilly, notice the ice has not moved out that far which is probably why we haven't seen a polar bear.

I also thought I would take a minute to share a few photos with you that Tako has taken. She is the logistics coordinator as well as a team scientist.

Close up of one of the many mosses that are plentiful in the Tundra

Close up of one of the many lichens that are plentiful in the Tundra

Two of the musk oxen that have been passing by camp

I find the enthusiasm and work ethic of the scientists to be a driving force in their work. Even after a long and cold day in the field they sit to work up their samples and identify plants.

Ina and Alexia work on their samples from the day

Our time is winding down and we are once again dealing with logistics. There is a desire to explore Isaachsen (for next year), revisit Green Cabin (last year's site on Banks Island) and also get us to Inuvik in time to catch our flight out on Monday. Some of the problems that arise are the amount of flying time it takes to get everywhere. The pilots can only spend so much time in the air and weather plays a major factor so you always have to have back up to your back up plan!
We will see how it goes!