This morning we continued our technical training by operating satellite phones. These devices, provided by SRI International, use iridium batteries and 66 satellites over 400 miles above us to provide a telephone signal virtually anywhere in the world. I tried calling back to New Orleans, but had to leave a message. Hopefully I'll have better luck in the field.
The highlight of the day was our visit to the University of Alaska, Fairbanks' Large Animal Research Center. We spent our time learning the ins and outs of life as a caribou and musk ox: two mammals with very specialized survival skills for life up North. Below you'll find some shots and facts about the critters we saw.
Caribou and reindeer are very closely related subspecies of ungulates.
An entire pair of antlers is grown over the course of about 4 months.
Musk ox inner hair, called qiviut, is softer than cashmere and retails for about $25 an ounce.
This particular ox has a portal in its side which allows scientists to remove bacteria from its stomach for research. The portal presents no impairments to the animal.
After the Large Animal Research Center, the PolarTREC staff treated us to an Alaskan potluck at Pioneer Park. Entrees included moose roast and meatballs, smoked and grilled salmon, elk sausage, and - yes - caribou. With 2 caribou for every human who lives in Alaska, there's plenty to be enjoyed.