First Journal Attempt
-25ºF. Fairbanks could easily be colder than that in February. But that is colder than most of us have ever seen. The air stings any exposed skin while the snow crunches with a firmness reminding you that it is far from melting. And lights at night shoot upward into vertical columns made visible by hexagonal crystals of ice fog. Most of us have never experienced these things.
Those fortunate few of us selected for the 2014-15 PolarTREC expeditions have gathered here in Fairbanks, Alaska this week to prepare for the field. We are here for the PolarTREC orientation, to meet and get to know each other, our responsibilities, and how to perform them. I feel honored to be included in such a select group. After applying for several years, persevering through the lengthy application and interview process, I am overjoyed to find myself here mingling with a cohort of others who are just as fortunate as I. Now if only my cold would go away.
We all know our places: mine is Greenland. We all know our dates: mine is in two months, this April. We also know our collaborating researchers and their projects: mine is Michael Studinger with Operation Ice Bridge. But none of us arrived here knowing much else. And, as often is the case, this lack of knowledge can lead to anxiety. It has for me. But the orientation will gradually peel away the layers of uncertainty and the more I learn the more my excitement has grown.
Even better still is the calming influence of alumni - the veterans of past expeditions. They are here to reassure us. They've been here before and experienced the same sense of overwhelming "I need to how to do 12 new things today with a device I'm totally unaccustomed to." Their presence is the steady hand on the rudder through these turbulent first sessions where everything we must accomplish is laid before us. "Don't worry," we are advised. With time it'll all sink in.
My head is spinning but the eager anticipation of the upcoming expedition helps me focus. I can't wait.
Update
The second day of training is nearly over. We are practicing writing journals. Yay! Go here to get an update on our weather.
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