US ITASE 2002-2003 Field Report
Prepared in the field and submitted
by:
Paul Andrew Mayewski
Institute for Quaternary and Climate Studies
University of Maine
On behalf of the 2001-2002
US ITASE traverse team.
Summary
During the fourth US ITASE season (2002-2003) the field team traversed
1250 km from Byrd to South Pole. The traverse was comprised of 13 members,
two Challenger 55s, and various heavy and light sleds. The bulk of the
AN8 fuel used by the Challengers was air dropped to four sites along the
route. Route selection was based upon the science objectives of the US
ITASE researchers and safe route selection was aided by examination of
RADARSAT images and an onboard crevasse detection system.
Eleven, integrated science programs were supported by US ITASE in 2002-2003.
Science was conducted both during travel and at eight sites. Continuous
shallow (~120 m) and deep (>3000m) radar, high precision kinematic
GPS, and surface snow sampling comprised the travel component of the science.
Near real-time shallow radar information was used to finely tune the location
of study sites and to tie these sites together via identification of long
distance subsurface marker horizons. At each site 3” and 2”
diameter ice cores were collected that will provide samples for stable
isotopes, major soluble ions, water soluble trace gases, trace elements,
organic acids, ? activity, stratigraphy, porosity, permeability, and density.
A total of 920 m of ice core was collected. Atmospheric sampling of surface
air and air to a height of 23 km was conducted as well as high precision
GPS surveys to determine mass balance, ice flow direction and speeds,
and ice surface topography.
Introduction
US ITASE offers the ground-based opportunities of traditional style traverse
travel coupled with the modern technology of satellite image route selection,
GPS navigation, crevasse detecting radar, satellite communications and
multi-disciplinary research. By operating as an oversnow traverse US ITASE
offers scientists the opportunity to experience the dynamic range of the
Antarctic environment. US ITASE also offers an important interactive venue
for research (currently eleven integrated science projects) similar to
that afforded by oceanographic research vessels and large polar field
camps, without the cost of the former or the lack of mobility of the latter.
More importantly, the combination of disciplines represented by US ITASE
provides a unique, multi-dimensional (x, y, z and time) view of the ice
sheet and its history. Over the past four field seasons (1999-2003) US
ITASE sampled the environment of West Antarctica into East Antarctica
over spatial scales of >5000 km, depths of >3000 m, heights in the
atmosphere of >20 km, and time periods of several hundred years (sub-annual
scale) to hundreds of thousands of years (millennial scale).
Members of the 2002-2003 US ITASE Field Team
*Steve Arcone (CRREL) –
PI surface radar
Daniel Dixon (U Maine) Graduate student glaciochemistry, snowpit physical
studies
Markus Frey (U Arizona) – Graduate student air/snow chemistry
Gordon Hamilton (U Maine) – PI surface glaciology
Carl Hess (Raytheon) – Mechanic
Andrea Isgro (Raytheon) – Cook, medical officer
Susan Kaspari (U Maine) – Graduate student glaciochemistry
Jim Laatsch (USA CRREL/Dartmouth) – Undergraduate student shallow
radar
Paul Mayewski (U Maine) – Field Leader, PI glaciochemistry
Lynn Peters (Raytheon) – Camp Manager
Blue Spikes (U Maine) – Graduate student surface glaciology
*Eric Steig (U Washington) – PI stable isotopes
Brian Welch (St. Olaf College) – Post-doc deep radar
Mark Wumkes (Glacier Data and Ice Core Drilling Services) – Ice
core driller
Betsy Youngman (U Arizona) – Atmospheric chemistry technician
* partial field season – departed 6 December due to delays in field schedule
Brief Description of US ITASE 2002-2003 Logistic Activities
During the 2002-2003 season
the US ITASE traverse included:
(1) 13 members (two others were unable to participate due to early season
delays)
(2) the Challenger 55 used on the 2000-2001 season initially equipped
with narrow tracks – now fitted with wide tracks
(3) the Challenger 55 used on the 2001-2002 traverse – fitted
with wide tracks and a wide axle
(4) one Aalaner sled borrowed from Scott Base for carrying fuel (provided
to the traverse after an initial failed attempt at using a Berco as
a fuel sled)
(5) one Berco sled with a permanent shelter configured with 9 berths
and space for science activities
(6) one Berco sled with a permanent shelter configured as a kitchen
and berthing for up to 4 people
(7) one Berco sled to carry ice cores and food
(8) one Berco for science equipment
(9) one Polar Haven mounted on a Berco sled for use as a mechanic workspace
and berthing for 4 people
(10) an assortment of smaller sleds (e.g., 2 Maudheims, one Polar Associate,
3 Nansens and 2 Komatiks)
(11) two LC-130 fuel drops were made early in the season to provide
AN8 fuel for the traverse.
The
traverse route planned for 2002-2003 extended 1250 km from Byrd Surface
Camp to South Pole. The traverse team arrived at Byrd on 20 November –
five days behind schedule due to weather in McMurdo and Byrd. The Byrd
put-in crew (Lynn Peters, Carl Hess, Andrea Isgro plus other Raytheon
staff) arrived at Byrd 28 October. Fuel was air dropped along the traverse
route several days prior to 31 October.
On 23 November the traverse team departed for Site 1 (270 km from Byrd).
After nearly 48 hours of continuous attempts the traverse team had covered
only 46 km. There was little doubt that forward progress was not practical
when the Berco fuel sled continually had snow above its axles and the
wide Komatik (Zebowski) sleds became snow anchors due to low clearance.
Our extremely slow progress was a consequence of:
(1) Deeper snow than anything
encountered during previous ITASE and ITASE related traverses (1994-95,
1999-00, 2000-01, 2001-02). We assume the increased snowfall was related
to the impact of the 2002-03 El Nino on West Antarctica.
(2) Loss of the Aalaner sled used as a fuel sled in 2000-01 and 2001-02.
We attempted to use a Berco sled in lieu of the Aalaner shipped back
to Scott Base at the end of the 2001-02 season.
(3) Lack of wide tracks on the older Challenger 55. The narrow tracks
that functioned adequately during 2000-01 and 2001-02 were insufficient
for the deeper snow encountered in 2002-03.
After discussion with McMurdo
we returned to Byrd. Several alternatives were suggested: completing
only part of the planned traverse, shuttling lighter loads, limiting
science objectives, and waiting at Byrd for the Aalaner fuel sled and
a set of Challenger 55 wide tracks. We were advised that every attempt would
be made to provide us with both the Aalaner and the wide tracks. The
Aalaner and wide tracks arrived at Byrd 5 December.
By 6 December the wide tracks were mounted (in just several hours) and
the Aalaner loaded with fuel. The traverse departed that day for Site
1. Travel to this site averaged ~5km/hour as a consequence of soft snow.
From Site 1 to Site 3 travel remained relatively slow due to soft patches,
sometimes necessitating pulling a single train by two Challengers in
tandem. Adjustments to sled loads and configurations gradually improved
travel. Unfortunately the only sled available for carrying empty fuel
barrels was needed to carry scientific equipment and the atmospheric
sampling set-up was off-loaded from Zebrowski sleds that acted like
snow anchors. After traversing the transition from West to East Antarctica
through the Bottleneck travel on the East Antarctic Plateau improved
until ~100km from South Pole where deep (12”+) snow forced us
to ferry loads to South Pole.
Major
Scientific and Logistical Accomplishments of the 2002-2003 Field Season
Between 23 November 2002 when the US ITASE team arrived at Byrd and 7
January 2003 when the team departed South Pole the following major scientific
and logistic goals were accomplished:
(1) Two Challenger 55s traversed
a total of 1250 km on the main traverse and ~500 km on day trips.
(2) Continuous radar observations (crevasse detection (400 MHz) and
shallow depth (400 MHz) were made over the 1250 km of the main traverse
route. Deep (2.5 MHz) radar was conducted over all but 166 km of the
full 1250 km and over ~200 km of day trips. High precision kinematic
GPS data were collected in tandem with the radar profiling along the
entire traverse route.
(3) Five original science sites were occupied for periods of 2-3 days,
plus work at Byrd conducted during the wait for the Aalaner and wide
tracks, plus one reconnaissance site in preparation for phase two
of US ITASE.
| Site | Latitude | Longitude | Elevation | Ice Core Total (m) |
| Byrd | 80 S | 120 W | 1520 m | 71 |
| 1 | 82 01’ S | 110 03’ W | 1745 m | 118 |
| 2 | 83 30’ S | 104 59’ W | 1964 m | 119 |
| 3 | 85 00’ S | 104 59’W | 2401 m | 75 |
| 4 | 86 30’ S | 107 59’ W | 2595 m | 123 |
| 5 | 88 00’ S | 108 00’ W | 2600 m | 78 |
| SPRESO | 89 55’ S | 147 34’ E | 2810 m | 319* |
| X9 | 89 S | 59 58 W | 2790 m | 17 |
*300 m collected by ICDS SPRESO team for US ITASE
A total of 920 m of ice cores were recovered utilizing both the 3” diameter Eclipse drill purchased by NSF for use by US ITASE and a 2.2” diameter lightweight drill built by Glacier Data for the University of Maine. Analyses to be conducted on these cores include: stable isotopes, major ion chemistry, trace and reversible species chemistry, beta activity, stratigraphy, porosity, and permeability.
(4) Atmospheric and shallow
chemistry observations were conducted at eight sites for periods of
24-48 hours. This sampling included real-time, continuous observations
of peroxides (H2O2 and organic peroxides), formaldehyde and ozone near
surface and ozone profiles up to an altitude of ~20 km. 2”-cores
( total length 38 m) from 7 sites were analyzed for H2O2 and HCHO on
site using a continuous flow analysis melter system. The seasonal signal
of H2O2 provided an on site estimate of the mean annual accumulation
over the past 10-15 yr and was used along with stratigraphic determination
of annual accumulation as an orientation for the minimum drilling depth.
(5) Basic meteorological observations were collected at all sites and
10 m depth temperatures for comparison with infrared satellite estimates
of mean annual temperature.
(6) Five high precision GPS ‘coffee can’ experiments were
deployed (Sites 1-5) to calculate mass balance and the distribution
of basal sliding motion.
(7) High precision GPS mapping was conducted at Byrd and Site 3 as validation
for NASA’s ICESat experiment.
Details of the 2002-2003 Traverse and Recommendations for Future Improvements
The information presented below does not guarantee perfect US ITASE seasons
in the future, however, it is intended to be an important step in the
evolution of research style oversnow traverse capability. Several discussion
items follow. They represent the combined thoughts of the members of the
US ITASE 2002-03 traverse. They are offered as a starting point for discussions
with OPP/NSF and Raytheon concerning future US ITASE activities.
Heavy Oversnow Vehicles
US ITASE operated with two Challenger 55s during 2002-2003. Each vehicle
pulled between 30,000 and 45,000 lbs. The vehicles performed very well
once both were equipped with wide tracks. Only routine maintenance was
required.
Heavy
oversnow vehicle recommendations for future traverses:
(1) One mechanic’s position should be maintained for each heavy vehicle.
(2) The older Challenger should be fitted with a rear winch and cable,
heavy-duty hitch, and counter weights similar to the newer Challenger
as requested in our 2001-02 field report.
(3) As requested in our 2001-02 report blockage problems for engine
screens in freezing fog and diamond dust conditions should be investigated
to prevent overheating and 1-3 km frequency stops to clear screens in
fog conditions. This may be resolved through the addition of pusher
fans or reversible fans.
(4) The older Challenger has a 60” wide axle (including spacers)
and the newer Challenger has an 80” wide axle. The newer Challenger
negotiated turns far more easily (by 100s of m) when pulling sleds than
the older Challenger. The reduced turning capacity of the older Challenger
resulted in the train bogging down several times. Further the wider
axle Challenger cut a path outside that of following Berco sleds allowing
the latter to cut through untouched snow, reducing ground clearance
problems.
Heavy Oversnow Sleds and Permanent Shelters
Four Berco sleds (3000 lbs each) and one Aalaner sled (6000 lbs) were
used during the 2001-2002 season. The Aalaner was replaced by another
Berco for the onset of the 2002-03 season. A replacement Aalaner or
equivalent fuel sled was requested in the 2001-02 field report. The
Aalaner request was based on the success of using this sled in two previous
seasons. However, because the Aalaner was already on extended loan from
Scott Base it was returned to Scott Base at the end of the 2001-02 season.
We were informed that it would be replaced by a Berco.
A description of the use for each sled follows:
(1) Berco 1 (“Blue
Room”) served as a science facility (warm space for computers
and wet chemistry preparation) plus berthing for up to 9 people. The
Blue Room has a solar/wind powered system with a bank of 10 batteries.
Shallow radar and kinematic GPS profiling was carried out in this structure
during the travel legs.
(2) Berco 2 afforded kitchen space. Seating for 14-15 is possible during
special dinners, and up to 10 “comfortably” on a routine
basis. The kitchen also offered berthing for 4 people. The kitchen has
a solar/wind powered 24 volt system with a bank of 10 batteries (although
the 24 V inverter failed mid season and was replaced with a spare 12
V system).
(3) Berco 3 was fitted at Byrd with a Weather Haven. It provided space
for work on mechanical, ice coring, and radar equipment, berthing for
4 people, and overflow space for dining.
(4) Berco 4 provided space for ice core boxes plus food stores.
(5) Berco 5 was originally intended to carry fuel drums. It sank to
its axles on the first attempt to Site 1 and was replaced by the Aalaner
as a fuel sled. This Berco served as a sled for science cargo and
the ATM sled. The ATM sled (Zebowski style) sank in the snow due to
low ground clearance.
(6) The Aalaner sled proved once again to be a superb fuel sled.
Heavy oversnow sled and permanent shelter recommendations for future traverses:
(1)
The Aalaner sled proved to be an excellent, if not essential sled, carrying
50+ fuel drums in 2001-02 (40+ in 2002-03), 9 100 lb propane cylinders,
and various other items. The ski design on this sled is well suited
to oversnow transport. Aalaner axles have high ground clearance. Aalaner
skis are shaped like floats (convex underside for flotation, convex
upper side to shed snow) and white to minimize heating. Although satisfactory
for lighter loads the Berco sleds have half the load capacity (~17,000
lbs Berco, ~40,000 lbs Aalaner), and significantly less flotation.
The Aalaner consistently floated on the snow surface. FLOTATION, FLOTATION,
FLOTATION.
(2) Check all sleds before deploying to the field. The Berco sent to
Byrd for the 2001-02 season was missing both of its front pulling
chains (no doubt removed during transport and misplaced). The Aalaner
sent to Byrd for the 2002-03 season, although greatly appreciated,
was missing: lubrication for axles, one bolt in the hitch mount, and
had severely scratched ski surfaces that increased drag, potentially
leading to bogging down.
(3) Retain the Polar Haven mounted on Berco 3 as a workshop and berthing
space. More ideally replace the Polar Haven with another permanent shelter
that provides a warm workspace and berthing for four people. The additional
berthing will relieve the crowded berthing for nine in the Blue Room.
The Polar Haven was a last minute addition to US ITASE in 2001-02 and
proved to be extremely valuable. Unfortunately the Polar Haven used
in 2001-02 was installed without a window (fortunately a last minute
installation at Byrd offered one small window), and was covered with
mylar and bubble wrap preventing radio transmission until fitted with
an external antennae.
(4) The Blue Room and kitchen shelters should be replaced with aluminum
CONEX containers as originally requested. CONEX containers are: relatively
light, fit into C130s deleting the necessity for construction in the
field, more robust under rough transport than nailed structures, designed
to be accepted by Berco sleds as indicated by mounts at Berco corners,
easy to pack due to large end door, ideal structures for storage of
over winter equipment, and can be packed at home institutions or in
McMurdo similar to the system used by oceanographic vessels.
(5) Sleds with low ground clearance should be avoided on intermediate
(beg., US ITASE) and heavy traverses.
(6) All heavy sleds should come with tie downs for cargo straps. We
managed to produce tie downs using webbing taken from airdropped parachutes.
(7) Per requests in earlier seasons a load cell should be provided to
determine proper sled configuration in trains, assess sled sliding capabilities,
and assist in future planning,
Snowmobiles
Two snowmobiles were requested for 2002-03. Two were supplied. One was
shipped back to McMurdo with a broken track system. The other came on
the traverse, but was not of sufficient quality to sustain long trips.
Snowmobile Recommendations for 2002-2003:
(1) The Alpine 2s appear to be too worn for remote parties. We had requested
either Alpine 2s or Yamaha VK540s.
Fuel and Power
Several types of fuel were utilized during the 2002-2003 season:
(1) Quantity 100, 55gal
drums of AN8 for the Challenger 55s to travel ~1300km each. During the
2000-2001 traverse fuel consumption was ~0.75km/gal. (an average of
heavy loads and return light loads). The 2001-2002 traverse assumed
0.75 km/gal. plus ten extra drums. Using as a basis for fuel consumption
the heavier loads towed in 2001-2002 and the need for small extra fuel
supplies to do side trips an estimate of 0.6 km/gal. provided a greater
margin of error for future fuel consumption estimates. Because most
of the 2002-2003 traverse from Byrd to South Pole was uphill and we
encountered significant travel issues on our first attempt to Site 1
we changed our fuel consumption estimate to 0.5 km/gal. The actual consumption
was closer to 0 .6 to 0.65 km/gal allowing us to cache fuel for future
activities.
(2) Quantity 9, 55 gal drums of Mogas for one snowmobile and five generators.
This estimate was based on 2001-02 estimates. Actual consumption was
closer to 6 drums.
(3) Quantity 12, 100lb propane cylinders for heating the Blue Room.
Kitchen, and Polar Haven and for cooking. We might have used 12 propane
cylinders except the temperatures encountered were far more moderate
than expected. It was extremely hard to keep propane heaters operating
so consumption was reduced.
(4) Quantity 22 gallons of white gas were on board as back up for propane
stoves but were not used.
(5) Generators were used during 2002-2003 season for melting water,
drilling, 24-hr on-site atmospheric chemistry measurements, and radar
experiments. One Herman Nelson was available for thawing motors.
(6) Solar and wind power systems were significantly improved this year.
The wind power system operated efficiently for the first time since
it was installed in 2000-01. However, the battery bank for the solar
systems did not weather well over the winter. The kitchen 3000 watt
power inverter failed necessitating transfer of the 1800 watt system
from the Polar Haven.
(7) US ITASE requested two small solar systems for the 2002-03 season.
Parts were made available, but they had to be constructed in the field.
Further the components were not always suitable to handling in the cold
because of size, type, or placement.
Fuel and power recommendations
for future traverses:
(1) Heating
fuels that operate at low temperatures should be introduced for field
use.
(2) Battery banks for solar power arrays in the Blue Room and kitchen
should not be left to over winter in the deep field.
(3) Considerably more support should be given by Raytheon to the development
and construction of solar and wind power systems. We utilized several
small and large systems. While improving each year – the systems
could be more fully and efficiently utilized.
Air Support including
Fuel Drops
It is not clear how many C130 flights were dedicated to US ITASE this
season since many of the flights to Byrd contained fuel and supplies for
other teams. However, once the heavy vehicles and heavy sleds are in the
field US ITASE should require no more than two C130 flights for put in,
two for take out, and one to two for fuel emplacement.
One Twin Otter flight came to US ITASE in 2002-2003 to transport essential
science cargo that was inadvertently not placed on a C130 flight.
Twin Otter close support was provided for the surface glaciology program.
The tasking involved revisits to sites installed during earlier US ITASE
seasons. The scheduling was convenient and the aircrew provided excellent
support (in the air and helping with science work on site).
Two LC-130 airdrops were dedicated to US ITASE in 2002-03. A total of
24 pallets (4 drums per pallet) were air dropped at four sites along the
traverse route. The 109th ANG did a superb job of placing the fuel drops
at sites planned for scientific activities. All drops landed on target.
Five chutes did not deploy. No fuel loss was observed, although some pallets
required extensive excavation with a Challenger 55 for recovery. Airdrops
most definitely provide an excellent way to avoid carrying large amounts
of fuel and burning fuel to carry fuel.
All fuel drums either taken from Byrd or dropped along the traverse route
were filled prior to deployment to within only ~8-10” of the barrel
top. At most drop sites it took nearly one pallet of drums to top off
four pallets.
An AN8 fuel cache was placed by the traverse during the 2002-2003 season
at one site to assist with Twin Otter flights required for resurvey of
GPS installations: 6 full (AN8) barrels bermed on 6 empty barrels at 86
30’ 08.9” S, 107 59’ 26.1” W. 24 empty barrels
were left at 83 32’ 09.48” S, 104 59’ 15.32” W
to lighten the sled loads and allow forward progress.
Air support recommendations for future traverses:
(1) Fuel drums should be filled to the specified 4” to improve
fuel delivery efficiency.
(2) Once US ITASE vehicles and sleds are fully deployed US ITASE can
be supported by a maximum of six C130 flights per season or by Twin
Otter and C130 airdrops. Continual change and exchange of sleds and
vehicles, and construction of shelters that could be replaced by CONEX
containers has necessitated considerably more flight allocation than
necessary.
Light Sleds
A variety of light weight sleds were employed in 2002-2003 including:
(1) three Nansen sleds for camp activities, snowmobile work, and a 2”
ice core platform
(2) one Maudheim for the 3’ ice core drill and ice core sampling
equipment
(3) one Polar Associate to carry snowmobiles
(4) one Maudheim for tools, Herman Nelson, Challenger spares and fluids
(5) one Komatik (Zebowski) for deep radar (Pope Mobile)
(6) one Komatik for Polar Pooper
(7) two Komatiks for empty drums and science cargo – both were
returned to McMurdo from Byrd after the first attempt to Site 1 because
they functioned like snow anchors
(8) one Komatik for the ATM shelter – this sled was eventually
mounted on a Berco because it too acted like a snow anchor.
Special Note: Unfortunately Berco #5 was used for science equipment
formerly on Komatiks and the ATM Komatik reducing dramatically the potential
for retrograding empty fuel barrels. Some barrels were discarded of
necessity en route (with the knowledge of the NSF Rep McMurdo).
Light sled recommendations for future traverses:
(1) Light sleds should be carefully selected for traverses in regions
with soft or thick snow keeping in mind sufficient ground clearance
and track separation relative to heavier sleds.
Ice Coring Equipment
The primary drill used for the 2000–2003 seasons was the Icefield Instruments
Eclipse 3’’ ice drill first used by US ITASE in 1999-2000.
Overall performance was excellent with minor mechanical breakdowns. It
offers notable logistic advantages that make it particularly useful for
field traverse programs. It is lightweight and can be easily transported
on a dedicated Maudheim sled, without complete disassembly. It takes a
3” diameter core and therefore requires fewer core boxes to transport
and store the core than the standard 4” PICO drill. Eclipse ice
core quality was excellent throughout all drilling depths making processing
easier. ICDS supported valuable modifications to the Eclipse drill and
provided a highly experienced driller.
A new 2” ice core drill (ITASE) designed by Glacier Data was introduced
in 2001–02 and modified for use in 2002-03. The ITASE drill was designed
for and purchased by the University of Maine and utilized by several US
ITASE projects. It was used in conjunction with the Eclipse to reduce
time on site and served extremely well.
Ice coring equipment
recommendations for future traverses:
(1) It is essential to have an experienced driller on US ITASE traverses.
(2) The Eclipse drill control box and spare require weatherproofing
to avoid wet circuitry problems.
(3) The Eclipse drill requires a modified slip ring assembly on the
sonde to avoid snow packing in this section and resultant slip ring
failure induced drill spin that necessitates drill cable retermination.
Crevasse Detection
Equipment
A crevasse detector was supplied and maintained by CRREL during the field
season. No crevasses were detected en route. However, crevasses were
seen 5–10 km off to the side of the route suggested by RADARSAT examination.
Crevasse detection
equipment recommendations for future traverses:
The crevasse detector utilized a small computer screen that was extremely
hard to see and continually monitor. Further it required a dedicated
operator. The system should be fitted with an audio signal to warn the
driver.
Polar Pooper
The ITASE toilet is mounted on a Komatik, improving its durability and
allowing it to second as an equipment sled. The Polar Pooper plowed through
sastrugi slowing forward motion in 2002–03, but faired better than the
other Komatiks because it was lightly loaded.
Camping Equipment
Several sleeping bags issued to ITASE personnel were not cleaned prior
to issue.
Communications
US ITASE had one NSF issued Iridium phone, two Iridium phones provided
by the Museum of Science (MOS) Boston, one Iridium provided by the University
of Maine, 2 HF PRC 1099 HF radios, four VHF radios and, five VHF base
stations. Daily communications were routinely accomplished with the Iridium.
The two Iridium phones supplied by MOS were used for transmitting daily
logs for the US ITASE outreach program. Because only one NSF Iridium was
available for US ITASE we were issued a 2001-02 vintage NSF SIM card for
one MOS phone expanding our communication capability. The University of
Maine Iridium phone provided a data link for personal and business use.
Communications recommendations for future traverses:
(1) Iridium phones should be considered routine tools for communication
and safety. Ideally one phone should be issued per 2 people in each field
party.
US ITASE Outreach
During the US ITASE 2002-2003 field season the field team participated
in several outreach activities. These included: a Wednesday night lecture
in McMurdo, a Sunday night lecture at South Pole, news articles for the
Antarctic Sun, biweekly live interviews with the Boston Museum of Science
(1 November to mid Jan) and the media.
US ITASE had a TEA assigned for the 2001-02 field season. However, the
TEA was injured while in McMurdo and returned home. With the remaining
funds US ITASE hired a school teacher (Peggy Lewis) who interacted with
US ITASE remotely while remaining in Iowa. We were also fortunate in
2002-03 to have a former TEA (Betsy Youngman) join the team as a field
tech. She maintained a TEA like involvement while conducting her regular
ITASE science activities.
Ann Zielinski maintained the link between US ITASE, MOS, and various
other outreach activities from her office at the University of Maine.
Acknowledgements
US ITASE was most fortunate this year to have three highly experienced,
highly capable Raytheon personnel involved in the project. Lynn Peters
returned to US ITASE this year to serve as camp manager and mechanic.
Carl Hess joined US ITASE this year as mechanic. Andrea Isgro joined US
ITASE this year as the first full time cook and as medical officer.
There is no doubt at all that US ITASE owes an immense debt of gratitude
to these three individuals for keeping us moving, comfortable, well fed,
happy, and able to conduct our science.
We would also like to thank all of the other Raytheon staff who were involved
in US ITASE. Notably our POC Kirk Salveson.
And, of course, thank you to the 109th New York Air National Guard for
airdrops and flights.