Permafrost outreach 2009

Another 100+ miles to Kotzebue from Deering
And another long ride in the whiteout conditions over bumpy sea ice.


After a quick frost tube drill we packed our gear and headed out of Deering.
Last night we got information about the trail condition from a Kotzebue resident visiting here on the way back from the All Alaska Sweepstakes.





We traveled along the coast out of Deering and passed cabins as landmarks along the trail.
On the sea ice, the hard sastrugi and drifts were covered with light snow, making it hard to notice them until the skies on the snow machine hit one of them, or when your body gets thrown in the air all of a sudden.




Although the trail conditions were rough at times, there were signs of scenic features.
We also saw musk-ox, caribou, and seals in a distance.





As we neared Kotzebue, the trail was heavily marked, probably for all the races in this area.


Kotzebue suddenly appeared in the view after coming down a hill.


We stayed at the Fish and Wildlife bunkhouse.
After an early dinner, Kenji went to exchange the data logger form the Kotzebue monitoring station.




As we get back, I realize this is the end of the expedition.
A safe return to the bunkhouse and the mission was nearly complete.



What we saw just a week ago almost seems like a dream all of a sudden.

This portion of the Permafrost Outreach Expedition is completed.
Kenji plans to continue his visits up the coast after the state test is over.

Another long day on our snow machines
In a straight line the distance is about 100 miles.



After packing and getting gas, The science teacher Ken led us to the trail head.
We hit the well-marked trail that disappeared into the white landscape across the lagoon.






Riding in the featureless terrain in the white out condition was somtimes disorientating, not knowing if you are going up or down.
At least the sun was visible throught the clouds, so it was possible to get the feeling for the general direction.






Some pingos appeared as small mounds soon after we were on land.
(a closed system pingo... For more information contact Kenji. ffky@uaf.edu)



After some river crossings, refueling, more snowmachineing we made it to Deering, thaqnks to Kenji's exceptional navigational skills.




The trip took us more than 6 hours.




Eventhough it was Saturday, the pricipal Steve greeted us and let us stay at the school.
It was a typical open gym night, and people were at the school gym to play basketball or just watch.



posted by Tohru

It was another calm day on the Seward Peninsula.





We started from Wales after Kenji's talk, which was about 10:00.
The trail to Shishmaref is about 80 miles. A flat trail that follows the coast line.
Weather conditions were great, which made for a good day traveling.
Ear Mountain, land mark of this area, was visible most of the way.













Although it seemed like a cold lifeless landscape, there were signs of life almost the entire way.
While I spotted some caribou in the distance, Ned found some polar bear tracks.
For more exciting pictures please visit www.alaskatracks.com














After being bumped around on the snow machine for 6 hours we finally arrived in Shishmaref.
The village apears in the middle of the white horizon.
The famed erosion was not easy to visualize with the frozen sea.











We did not quite make it to the school before the class was over.
Instead we went straight to drilling.
First the frost tube hole was drilled.
The ground material was sand, similar to how it was in Wales.
Against all odds and failing equipment this Kenji drills to 4 meters.












In Shishimaref Kenji's secret weapon was waiting our arrival. Code name "Kaji" (a.k.a maru-kaji)
He actually joined us three times during this expedition, and today was his birthday.
What a way to celebrate your birthday in Shishmaref.




Tomorrow we are heading to Deering.


posted by Tohru

Another full day of action for all of us.
The trail from Brevig Mission to Wales was less traveled and obviously less marked.

The morning started out with packing and getting gas.
While we were getting gas, we were lucky to get information about the trail condition, especially with the white-out conditions we had in the morning.
It wasn't as windy but felt cold probably down in the single digits.



















Kenji safely navigated through the blurry white trail.






Even after a wrong turn, he was quick to correct the course, and we were back on the trail.


The trail it's self wasn't difficult, but the bumps form the wind packed snow made the 80 mile trip much longer than we hoped.

Coming down on the north side of the hill suddenly the clouds opened up.
Even more surprising was the lack of the wind.
Looking back, we saw the low hanging greyish clouds over where we came from.
Along the trail we saw a moose, muskox, fox, and a lot of animal tracks, including a woverine and wolf.
















By the time we were about 10 miles out of Wales, Kenji had to hurry to get to the school before the school was out.
Luckily he made it there before the teachers all left.

We are all a little wore out form the continuous travel, but work comes first.
Kenij went right to drilling.
The frost tube went well, but the monitoring station bore hole kept colapsing as we drilled and backfilled the hole because the ground material was sand.
Although the depth was not the best result, Wales station is probably one of the most scenic Permafrost Monitoring Station.

















After a successful installation it was almost time for sunset.

There were many signs of people living here from a long time ago.
It's hard to say how old they are, but reminants of whale bone houses, stone trail markers, and look out places made out of piled rocks (probaably for marine mamals) all indicated the history of this place.









As the sun goes down past over Little Diomede Island another day comes to an end.
Tomorrow we will head to Shishimaref.
Drilling in these cold places is taking a toll on the equipment.



posted by Tohru