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Tundra Plants in a Changing Climate

Hi Keri, I'm enjoying seeing your pictures of Barrow in the summer. When I was there in March 09 everything was still frozen. It looks like you might be staying in my old hut! Are you in #267? If so we found out the end seats on the couch recline and there are some really goofy books in the coffee table. Anyway can you describe the hours of daylight you are receiving this time of year? Does it ever get dark, or do you just see twilight? Does the sun set yet? Betsy Wilkening PolarTREC 09 Tucson, AZ

Mon, 07/26/2010 - 22:58

Keri Rodgers

Yep, you found me. I'm in 267! I'm sitting on the reclining couch now and just opened the coffee table at your suggestion and yes, there's some interesting stuff: a German magazine, PC Welt (another German magazine), Anansi Kids, a Vanity Fair from 2008, a 2010: Odyssey two, Rose Daughter, and yet another German magazine.We spend a lot of time in Hut 263, where UTEP (University of Texas: El Paso) lives, because we have dinner with them every night and their hut is bigger. Tomorrow, it's our turn to cook and I think we're making spaghetti.
It doesn't quite get dark yet; however it appears like the sun is setting for hours. I'm taking a picture every night before I go to bed (between 11pm and 3am) and I'll post them soon for you. The sun will set for a few minutes on August 2nd.
Although it's unnerving sometimes and really hard to sleep, I like the sun, especially when it appears to be setting because it is so colorful and beautiful. Thanks for following my blog. What did you research up here and did you go to any villages? I head to Atqasuk in a few days. I look forward to hearing from you!

Wed, 07/28/2010 - 12:03

Betsy Wilkening

Hi Keri,
I did not make it out of Barrow, but just worked in the BASC area. I worked with OASIS (Ocean, Atmosphere, Sea Ice and Snowpack) project. We had scientists from all over US and around the world on project (about 20-40 people in Barrow at one time). I worked mostly with the scientist doing snow sampling, but I did manage to help out with the balloon on the days we could fly it, and made it out on the sea ice with the Environment Canada group. You can check out some of the pics on my blog to see how different everything looked.
Is there ARM facility in Atqasuk? We visited ARM and NOAO facility near BASC while we were there. If you get a chance, it is pretty cool, although they take atmospheric measurements.
Enjoy!
PS - I enjoyed the swimming pool at the high school and don't forget to go to Arctic Thai if you get a chance.