It was another whirlwind day at PolarTREC orientation! Since it has stayed below 32 degrees F, the snow from yesterday has not melted.
As the sun sets in Fairbanks, piles of snow refuse to melt with temperatures well below freezing.
Phones
We started out learning about the logistics of our trips. One of the logistics is having access to a phone. Although I'll be able to use phones and the internet at McMurdo, other PolarTREC teachers will be far away from internet and phone reception that they'll need to use a satellite phone. Roy Stehle brought in Iridium Satellite Phones for those people, and let all of them use them.
Michelle successfully makes a phone call home with the satellite phone.
Clothes
The next logistic to figure out was clothing. We went to the CH2M Hill Polar Services Warehouse, where clothes are stored for people travelling to the Arctic. Matt Irinaga showed us all the layers of clothes that we would need to stay warm.
How many layers do you think you would need to stay warm in the Arctic or Antarctic?
- What kinds of layers would you like to have?*
Just some of the examples of winter gear presented to PolarTREC teachers by Matt Irinaga at CH2M Hill Polar Services.
Ice
After dinner, we were dropped off at the World Ice Art Championships. As we drove towards the park, I could see ice sculptures peeking over the fence. It was a winter wonderland that words can't do justice for, so here are some pictures!
Michelle morphs into an eskimo at the World Ice Championships in Fairbanks.
An artist uses a chainsaw to sculpt her ice at the World Ice Championships in Fairbanks.
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How did the ice artist put together a broken piece of ice?
What is this a picture of?
Can you guess what this is? Here's a hint: I saw it at the ice art championships tonight!
This is a mystery photo taken at the World Ice Championships in Fairbanks.