Date: December 26, 2006
Latitude: 79 degrees, 2 minutes, 5
seconds South
Longitude: 149 degrees, 41 minutes,
14 seconds East
Temperature: −26°C (−15°F)
Wind Speed: 10 knots
Wind Chill: −38°C (−36°F)
Elevation: 2,302 meters (7,366 feet)
Written by: Joe
Kilometers Traveled 290
Meters of core drilled: 240
Notes on Daily Life:
Many countries celebrate December 26th as a holiday known as Boxing Day, but here on the US ITASE 2006–07 traverse we celebrate it as our first day at core site number 3. We had originally planned to set up camp further down the trail, but after examining the shallow and deep radar data around the area, it was decided that this was a great spot for ice core drilling. Dan D. and I dragged equipment a few hundred meters from camp in the upwind direction to set up a nice site to drill. It is crucial to carefully analyze the wind direction before choosing a site, as the fumes coming off the generators and heavy equipment in camp will contaminant the sensitive analysis of trace chemicals in the core. We drilled a 2 meter core using the Pico Hand Auger, then cut it up into one centimeter pieces which we then individually packed into small plastic bags. These will be analyzed for chemistry back in Maine after the traverse.
Once we were done with that, Andrei and Mike prepared the drill pit and set up the Eclipse drill to begin the 100 m core. In the meantime, Dan B., Gordon, and Paul set up the 2-inch drill and began taking core. Unfortunately, not long after the first few meters of 2–inch core came up, the motor stopped working properly and the 2–inch drilling came to a sudden halt. They spent the remainder of the day troubleshooting the problem with extra mechanical advice from Rick. Josh was busy spending the day preparing for the PM (preventive maintenance) that is required to be done on the Cats, Pisten Bully, and the generators. This is routine maintenance such as changing the oil, filters, spark plugs, etc. that needs to be done after a certain number of operational hours. In order for this job to be completed, he had to dig a large pit in the hard snow with a chainsaw that will fit him and some oil drums. The Cats and Pisten Bully will drive over the pit so he can perform his duties underneath.
Brian was assisting Lora with her radar measurements and also processing the copious amounts of data from his own radar collected while driving. I think he is enjoying his time spent while we are motionless.
Date: December 27, 2006
Latitude: 79 degrees, 2 minutes, 5
seconds South
Longitude: 149 degrees, 41 minutes,
14 seconds East
Temperature: −27°C (−17°F)
Wind Speed: 7 knots
Wind Chill: −37°C (−34°F)
Elevation: 2,302 meters (7,366 feet)
Written by: Lora
Kilometers Traveled 290
Meters of core drilled: 300
Today was second Christmas; we had our big Christmas dinner. Cathy and I spent the morning making fudge, chocolate–raisin bars and peanut brittle for holiday treats and the afternoon preparing the meal. Cathy had a dinner menu planned of orange duck, garlic mashed potatoes, steamed beans and hors d’oeuvres. We also spent the day restocking the water supply.
The drill site was very active today. The 3–inch drill team, Mike, Andrei, Joe and Dan D., drilled 44 meters with no breaks in any of the core sections. We have obtained 60 meters of beautiful core at this site, which is proving to be a very good site for an ice core. The 2–inch drill team was still having motor problems. Paul, Dan B., Gordon and Rick have been working on the motor and gearbox to get the drill up and running. Josh spent the day doing preventative maintenance; changing the oil, filters and fluids, on the generators, Pisten Bully and both Cats. Brian worked on his radar sled fixing everything that had been bounced loose from the bumpy ride.
Our festive day ended by stuffing ourselves at dinner and having a sing–along. After dinner Rick brought out his guitar. Rick, Gordon, Dan D., Dan B. and Joe all played the guitar while the rest of us sang along. Mike showed off his percussion skills using a can of nuts. We all had a great time.