A logistics nightmare! OK, not really, just VERY complicated planning has been taking place, and rightfully so. We are walking on snow no one has walked on before.
Yesterday, members of our team met with the helo techs and pilots 3 different times. As more information becomes available, new options come up and plans have to be altered. We are attempting to move 31 GPS units (50 pounds each), over 200 miles. That doesn't include all the batteries, solar panels, wind generators, framing, etc. that we also have to take into the field.
Kristin and Gordon analyze how to move and organize all of our equipment. The Royal Society mountain range in the ice runway are in the background. Photo credit: Brandon Gillette
We are working nearly 20 hour days, some a little longer, some a little shorter, to get ready for our flights next week. All of the equiment is getting loaded onto a plane where it will be dropped off at a cache sight about 40 minutes from the glacier making it more accessible once we actually arrive to install the units. We have been pre-assembling as much equipment as possible to make the installation go more smoothly once in the field. We will be facing extreme conditions (very cold, -20 F or greater; and high winds, potentially 30 knots or greater). Anyone up for a vacation?
After pre-assembling, we are weighing everything, including ourselves and our personal gear, to give to the helo pilots for packing and flying purposes.