US ITASE Logo

 

2007

Date: November 30, 2007
Location: East Antarctic Plateau, Drill site 2
Latitude: 84 degrees, 23 minutes, 42.252 seconds South
Longitude: 140 degrees, 37 minutes, 50.88 seconds East
Temperature: −30°C ( −22°F)
Wind Speed: 6 knots
Wind Chill: −40°C (−40°F)
Elevation: 2687 meters (8815 feet)
Kilometers Traveled: 542
Ice Core Drilled: 120 meters
Written by: Nicky

The day begins with a burst of activity. Drills are pushed out to the drill site at record speed. Ice core boxes are towed out on sleds of all types and science equipment is ferried over in the same way. Once it’s all there, Mike and Dan D. erect the windbreak and the drills are put together. Paul and Mike dig the pit for the 3"; drill and the ice core processing line is set up by Dan D. and Elena. I grab a few additional blankets and with Elena’s help raise a new and improved stratigraphy tent (It’s bigger! It’s darker! It’s supported by bamboo!)

No sooner had I finished this task, than Dan B. and Gordon had several 1 meter long 2" cores waiting to be looked at. The day went well for all (especially in the afternoon when Brian wandered over with offers of assistance and CANDY!) Meanwhile back at camp, Josh worked on the PB’s cooling system, Luke moved the CATs and did a fuel count and Luci food shopped and melted water.

 

Date: December 1, 2007
Location: East Antarctic Plateau, Drill site 2
Latitude: 84 degrees, 23 minutes, 42.252 seconds South
Longitude: 140 degrees, 37 minutes, 50.88 seconds East
Temperature: −25°C ( −13°F)
Wind Speed: 3 knots
Wind Chill: −30°C (−23°F)
Elevation: 2687 meters (8815 feet)
Kilometers Traveled: 542
Ice Core Drilled: 176 meters
Written by: Nicky

What an awesome day!! Today, I can’t even say the weather was mild –it wasn't mild, it was practically tropical. So tropical in fact that we had a surf and turf barbeque! Luke and Luci prepared rice, sautéed lobster tails and cheese cake in the kitchen and steaks were grilled outside on the propane grill that Luke spent the day fixing and setting up. We ate in a circle outside the Blue Room in a funny little assembly of loud floral crazy creek chairs and bland old folding chairs that couldn’t help but sink into the snow when you sat in them. Spirits were high, both in celebration of the weather and of our triumphant work day.

With a halo around the sun, sun dogs (not to be confused with core dogs) at its side and a rarely seen zenith arch over head, we finished drilling with both the 2" and the 3" drill. Brian and Josh took the CAT and the PB out and conducted a successful radar survey. And last, but not least, Dan B. and Gordon, deployed their down–hole instrument and still had the energy to push the 2" drill back to camp.

Tomorrow we’ll complete the last of our tasks, pack up the trains ready for travel, and then we’ll be on our way to Site 3 – what progress!

 

Date: December 2, 2007
Location: East Antarctic Plateau, Drill site 2
Latitude: 84 degrees, 23 minutes, 42.252 seconds South
Longitude: 140 degrees, 37 minutes, 50.88 seconds East
Temperature: −30°C ( −22°F)
Wind Speed: 3 knots
Wind Chill: −36°C (−33°F)
Elevation: 2687 meters (8815 feet)
Kilometers Traveled: 542
Ice Core Drilled: 185 meters
Written by: Nicky

Our first task of the day is to move the 3" drill a little and collect the top 9 meters again. We do this because we believe we may have hit a hoar layer yesterday and possibly lost some material and this is the best way to 1) check ourselves and 2) ensure that we have accurate records. The drilling is fast and long before lunch we’ve boxed up 9 meters and have started to break down the drill site. While the drill site is packed away, Dan B. and Gordon head out with the PB to conduct their survey of the local topography. Essentially the day is a repeat of pick–up at the last site. We all rearrange and cargo strap the sleds to our hearts content, only this time we've got practice, so it goes a little faster and we all have time to relax before dinner, another delicious feast prepared by Luci.