Ludda (left) and Brandi Jo pause for a moment in the blowing snow.
Since we arrived a day later than expected, we needed to work especially hard to make up for lost time at our new home near Cherskiy. This morning, a combination of cold and snow could not hamper…
Arctic sunrise from just west of Iceland during our flight from JFK to Moscow.
I left Denver, Colorado at 12:56 a.m. on Tuesday, June 26th and arrived in Cherskiy at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 1, 2012. Below are a few of my favorite highlights of the trip with the Polaris…
Although we had hoped to be in Cherskiy already, our unexpected extra day in Yakutsk was remarkable. Because our Polaris Project group was quite numerous (over 30), we were split into two different…
The new airport terminal in Yakutsk, decorated for its grand opening.
In the airport in Yakutsk, Russia today, our Polaris Project Expedition leader, Dr. Max Holmes, gathered everyone around him and started his announcement pointing out that few scientists do research…
The iconic St. Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square.
The students and researchers of the Polaris Project made our way from New York to Moscow yesterday. Today, we leave Moscow and fly six time zones overnight to reach Yakutsk. It is an exciting…
Mark shows future rocket scientists how to track the location of a satellite.
This past week, I had the fortune of talking with students in nine different classes in the INSIDE/OUT! summer program. Our conversations ranged from using wireless communications and satellites to…
Mark collects a bottle filled with the rarefied air on top of Mt. Evans, Colorad
An Inadvertent Experiment In my home state of Colorado, there is an experiment that hikers do inadvertently almost every time they climb to the top of a mountain – they finish and seal the water…
This satellite image of the Kolyma River Basin near Cherskiy shows the vast numb
Last week, I was issued a load of equipment for my trip to Cherskiy, Russia. However, as an experienced outdoorsman, I have learned to NEVER go into the field without testing all of my new gear –…
This map depicts the four flights from Denver, Colorado to Cherskiy, Russia
Just five weeks remain until departure to Siberia with the Polaris Project team! Here are some of the details I have learned about the trip: My General Itinerary from Denver for the Polaris Project…
Dog Sled Team at Start of Yukon Quest
I’ve heard it said that life is a collection of experiences – but you must be willing to go out and get them. This morning, I opened my Fairbanks, Alaska hotel room door and was greeted by the…
Mt. Ranier from Sea-Tac Airport
The first step on my summer journey to Siberia takes me to Fairbanks, Alaska, in frigid February. As part of the PolarTREC program, we teachers are required to go to Fairbanks for a week of training…
So, I’m going to Siberia next summer! I can’t believe it! What a rare opportunity to see a different part of the world! What an amazing opportunity to get out of my comfort level! What a…