Today started as usual, we met for breakfast at 8:30am, packed our gear and headed for the airport. On our way to the airport we had to stop and pick up the tripod for raising the Automated Weather Station (AWS). Once we got everything loaded, we took off heading southeast towards South Dome, a large bulge on the southern portion of Greenland ice sheet.
Nikko loading plane for departure to South Dome AWS
Map of Greenland showing planned routes for 2011 AWS traverse.
After the two and a half hour flight, Koni could easily tell the station needed some attention. Once we landed, we quickly unloaded the gear we needed to raise the AWS as well as the usual stuff.
Koni and pilots inspecting South Dome AWS.
Every two or three years some of the stations need to be raised to keep the instrumentation above the annual snowfall (est. 70 to 120cm/year). Our primary job was to insert an extension tube into the base to elevate the station, all without damaging the sensitive equipment.
Koni did the visual inspection, took pictures, then cracked open the data box. He could see that there was a tremendous amount of stress on the wires due to snow accumulating over the past few years. Some of the wires were pulled apart while others were as tight as piano wires. In the box, the thermocouple (measures temperature) was pulled from the back of the box where it was originally screwed in. So, Koni had his work cut out for him. He spent several hours rewiring the entire data box. While he was working in the box, we started the snow pit just a few meters away.
Open data box with damaged wires.
While digging the station out, I came across a little frozen friend. This bird was way off course and unfortunately could not find a warm place to rest. This was the only sign of life I have seen on the ice sheet so far, besides our team of course!
A little bird who lost its way flying across the Greenland ice sheet.
Nikko and Simon methodically performed the snow pit measurements. It was interesting to see how they could determine the density of the snow at 10-centimeter intervals. What two variables are needed to determine density?
Conducting density measurements in snow pit at 10cm intervals.
Once the snow pit measurements were complete, we started to prepare the tri-pod. The tri-pod comes in many pieces and must be assembled in the field due to its final height. We built the tri-pod on the ground and it took four of us to raise it, one on each leg and one in the middle to get its upward movement started. Once the tri-pod is built, we must carefully move it over the AWS without hitting any of the instruments.
Constructing AWS tri-pod. The tri-pod is used to raise the AWS so that an extension can be inserted into the existing base.
After Koni finished all of the rewiring, we moved into high gear. We quickly and carefully moved the tri-pod over the station, hooked up the winch and started to raise the station. The procedure went smoothly and within an hour we had the station raised and realigned. Koni finished a few final details and we were on our way. Total time on ground = 4 hours.
Raising South Dome AWS station.
The next stop was Kulusuk, on the east side of Greenland, to exchange planes. I heard that the east coast of Greenland is considered to be “true” Greenland, but I had no idea what I was about to see. After about a two-hour flight, we started to see sea ice, then ice bergs, then sharp jagged mountains that rose out of the ice clogged fiords. The scene was amazing! As we approached the airport, I felt like I was in one of the most remote and beautiful locations on Earth. Spectacular, snow covered peaks in all directions, mountain glaciers feeding the valley floor, icebergs floating in the nearby fiord. Wow!
Fiord with sea ice and icebergs near Kulusuk, east Greenland.
Mountains near Kulusuk.
At the airport, we quickly snapped a few pictures of the mountains and then unloaded our plane. I even got to snap a picture of an Inuit baby just learning to walk. Of course I could only think of my kids and wife back home. I am missing them and look forward to being with them again soon. The Inuit’s in this town live a very traditional life. They still hunt for their food (polar bear and seal) and have very little modern amenities.
View from Kulusuk airport
Inuit baby and mother at Kulusuk airport, east Greenland.
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The transition took about 30 minutes and we were back in the air. The flight out was just as spectacular as the flight in. The pilots were gracious enough to loop around and fly through the fiord. As we ascended, the distant, never ending peaks exposed themselves. It looked like you could climb the mountains forever. The peaks went as far as the eye could see, and that was from a few thousand feet!
View of mountain range near Kulusuk.
Within a few minutes, we were over the ice sheet on our way home. Another successful day on the Greenland ice sheet. Wheels touched down in Kangerlussuaq at 10:00pm and we scrambled to find food since we worked through dinner. Luckily, the owners of the Polar Bear stayed open for us to get some Thai food. Yum!
View from the plane while flying across the Greenland ice sheet. It was a long day and we all looked forward to being back in Kangerlussuaq.
Tomorrow we head to NEEM to begin the north traverse. Tonight I will enjoy my last night at the KISS building and a warm bed. From here on out we will be sleeping in tents on the ice sheet!