Traveling to Utqiaġvik (Barrow)
Packing for Barrow was very hard, checking the weather, going to extreme weather (ridiculously hot) to super cold weather. As I am packing for Alaska it is about 85F at 8pm. After packing my field gear and some stuff that we'll need in the field for the lab, three pairs of hip waders, some sensors, and a rather long stick (to be used in the field somewhere?). Since Barrow weather can be unpredictable I've packed for any occasion. An Alaskan staple are Xtra Tuff boots, which are worn regularly EVERYWHERE! Rain jacket, bug shirt, some comfy shoes to be worn while working in the labs, and lots of layers!
All the clothes I'm packing-its all about those layers!
The Research Opportunity in the Arctic Minorities or ROAM for short, has a pretty fascinating history. In 2006-2007, the University of Texas at El Paso participated in the International Polar Year by selecting over 20 students and taking five teachers to the Antarctic Peninsula. I was part of the aquatic research team along with a high school teacher, Katie Noonan, that sampled offshore nutrients and parameters. Since graduating, I've worked with the Clint ISD Early College Academy for the past five years. Today, researchers Dr. Vanessa Lougheed and Dr. Craig Tweedie have brought back ROAM, but now it takes place in the Arctic! We are traveling with 10 students to the Arctic to study various projects in Utqiaġvik.
Our plane-departed at 6:20am, so we arrived at the airport at 4:00am! We traveled with six students, Dr. Lougheed, and Angus.
Ruth Rodriguez at El Paso International Airport.
Our first leg was to LAX, then off to Anchorage, and finally Barrow.
Two different views of Anchorage!
When we board our plane to Barrow, it's a very small plane and we board it on a stairway. We've arrived at 7:30pm and it's still light out. I have friends who have been to Barrow and said it would be difficult sleeping while the sun is out. I slept pretty great! Our orientation is tomorrow and we'll get our tour of Barrow!
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