Permafrost outreach 2009
The University of Alaska EPSCoR program, NASA IPY and NSF IPY, Thermal State of Permafrost programs are conducting an outreach effort in conjunction with it's research focus on permafrost and infrastructure. The outreach effort has been termed the "Permafrost Health" program and consists of installing permafrost temperature monitoring systems!Friday, March 21, 2008
Shaktoolik
What a day!
Another memorable arctic travelling.
Since the Unalakleet school was in Spring Break, the morning was rather quiet. We are always thankful for the hospitality we receive and enjoy talking to people from that area.
But in reality the situation was far form being calm.
Kenji was trying very hard to gather all he could to keep this expedition together.
With the additional rigid plastic pipes he was able to gather, the sled became precariously long with a few feet of pipes hanging from the back.
From Unalakleet, the trail is an overland trail with many great vantage points along the way.
We were able to enjoy the great view of parts of the western coast of Alaska.
The ice free area wer noticably colored in dark blue compared to the otherwise flat and white sea ice.
It was also comforting to see trees along the trail, instead being in the middle of a baren wind howling hills or sea ice.
The trail markers from the Iditarod were still visible along the way, which helped us find our way through some treacherous parts which came rather abruptly and unexpectedly as we descended the last hill that opend to a flat area that leads to Shaktoolik.
Strong cold wind was balsting into our face, picking up snow and blowing accross the surface of the snow.
Even the well travelled Iditarod trail was sometimes hard to see without the markers.
There was small hope that Shaktoolik would be in sheltered area compared to where we were going through.
But of course that was not the case.
At the Shaktoolik school we asked how long the weahter has been this bad. They all said "It's always like this".
Sure enough, a lot of the people were in their thin looking jackets.
But at least covering there ears.
The fed us some Arctic Char for lunch.
Kenji gave a short intorduction about the permafrost monitoring project and talked about Permafrost related isses to the middle school students.
After that, we braved the weather and went drilling to install the monitoring station.
It is usually hard enough when the temperature is low. Adding strong wind to the equation makes it even more difficult to make things work.
With diligence and tramendous hard work, Kenji was able to install another monitoring station.
We plan to leave for Koyuk tomorrow.
And the locals say that is's usually even windier from here to there.
It is quite amazing to think about the mushers and dogs who run the Iditarod race on this trail, and also the tough people who lives here.
They do have amazing sunsets though...
On a much happier note, Today was Ned's birthday.
Amazingly enough, he was here 10 years ago on the same exact day, sleeping in the same school and classroom.
We celebrated with Napoleon icecream.
Another memorable arctic travelling.
Since the Unalakleet school was in Spring Break, the morning was rather quiet. We are always thankful for the hospitality we receive and enjoy talking to people from that area.
But in reality the situation was far form being calm.
Kenji was trying very hard to gather all he could to keep this expedition together.
With the additional rigid plastic pipes he was able to gather, the sled became precariously long with a few feet of pipes hanging from the back.
From Unalakleet, the trail is an overland trail with many great vantage points along the way.
We were able to enjoy the great view of parts of the western coast of Alaska.
The ice free area wer noticably colored in dark blue compared to the otherwise flat and white sea ice.
It was also comforting to see trees along the trail, instead being in the middle of a baren wind howling hills or sea ice.
The trail markers from the Iditarod were still visible along the way, which helped us find our way through some treacherous parts which came rather abruptly and unexpectedly as we descended the last hill that opend to a flat area that leads to Shaktoolik.
Strong cold wind was balsting into our face, picking up snow and blowing accross the surface of the snow.
Even the well travelled Iditarod trail was sometimes hard to see without the markers.
There was small hope that Shaktoolik would be in sheltered area compared to where we were going through.
But of course that was not the case.
At the Shaktoolik school we asked how long the weahter has been this bad. They all said "It's always like this".
Sure enough, a lot of the people were in their thin looking jackets.
But at least covering there ears.
The fed us some Arctic Char for lunch.
Kenji gave a short intorduction about the permafrost monitoring project and talked about Permafrost related isses to the middle school students.
After that, we braved the weather and went drilling to install the monitoring station.
It is usually hard enough when the temperature is low. Adding strong wind to the equation makes it even more difficult to make things work.
With diligence and tramendous hard work, Kenji was able to install another monitoring station.
We plan to leave for Koyuk tomorrow.
And the locals say that is's usually even windier from here to there.
It is quite amazing to think about the mushers and dogs who run the Iditarod race on this trail, and also the tough people who lives here.
They do have amazing sunsets though...
On a much happier note, Today was Ned's birthday.
Amazingly enough, he was here 10 years ago on the same exact day, sleeping in the same school and classroom.
We celebrated with Napoleon icecream.
posted by uaf permafrost # 11:46 PM 
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