Permafrost outreach 2009

Kotzebue

2009-03-23T17:19:00.005-08:00

It looks beautiful day! We left Buckland 9:30am with morning sunshine.

When we cross at Buckland River, wind start picking up. We throught another windy day?! but not!

When we hit peninsula, no wind, smooth surface, a lot of caribou crossing in front of us.

We made to Kotzebue this afternoon. We stop High school, Elementary and Fish and wildlife office.
Henry, who rescue Emmonak datalogger from Yukon flooding last spring, should be here at 5th grade. Henry's family move from Emmonak to Kotzebue last year. So I am very exciting to see them!
We stay in bunk house at FWS.

In the evening, we had dinner with Schidbach family. I mentioned Henry is smart kid and rescuing logger at Emmonak. Father Bill was principal at school at that time. It was very nice to see a year later at Kotzebue! This is one of the best things for this project. I could meet many nice people in the remote side of Alaska.

Buckland

2009-03-22T23:06:00.003-08:00

We try to across Seward Peninsula today. It extreamly windy cold first half day. We try to find Granit Mountain hot spring the way go up to Buckland. But we missed within 0.2miles. Because poor visubility by the strong wind. We could not see especially near ground. Once we gave up hot spring, we keep driving toward Buckland.
after 5 and 1/2 hours of head wind driving, we made it in Buckland.
We had a great time with Tim (he help me drilling last spring.), Matthew (he participant STEP, UAF last summer), Johney... This is nice warm village for us!

Shaktoolik, Koyuk

2009-03-21T22:01:00.006-08:00

It's unusual morning, after waking up at school, we packed up to leave Unalakleet. before then we stop by Ming's house for full breakfast. Very very nice fresh Unalakleet River trout! with soup. I could eat all bones in the soup! Thanks Ming!

When I back to the trail. It's surprising about no snow! more snow we could see in town but not outside.

When it became closer to Shaktoolik, I was afraid for wind! We did have amazing wind stream at Shaktoolik last year. We stop on beautiful methane bubble lake to prepare wind proof, face mask, etc!

We also stop by borehole site replace our datalogger.

Amazing!! no wind at all in Shaktoolik!

Also amazing, no bumpy at all...nice trail at crossing Norton Bay!
Less than 2 hours, we made it to Koyuk. Principal Kim told us trail to Granite mountain.

We were looking for holes against deep snow at Koyuk! We would like to re-drill here for deeper hole!

Unalakleet

2009-03-20T23:08:00.006-08:00

It's another beautiful weather! After the gas station opening, we filled tank full and head to the Ocean! We run across Kaltag Portage Trail today. First 10 miles were terrible bumpy trail. Big stress of sled joint! Just before Old Woman Cabin, one of our sled joint finally warned out! But good things, still weather is our side.

After temporary fixing "Eye ring" for sled joint, I stop many times to fix it again and try to keep same speed.
We arrived Unalakleet little pass 5 pm. Middle school science teacher Ming waiting for us. Ming called welder to fix eye ring. BSSD maintenance Brian came to fix for us!!! We could be on schedule.

Ming download our permafrost monitoring hole.

The end of the day, Unalakleet is alway best place in Alaska. You can see sunset to the ice horizen same like we saw last year.

Anvik, Grayling, Kaltag

2009-03-19T20:50:00.008-08:00

We start joining Anvik school classrooms first things in this morning. At first, I met Julie's k-k3 class

then Jolene's older class. Jolene support our program since she was in Fairbanks. She is Globe certify teacher, easy and great to work with her!

Once we arrived Grayling, we met Mathew's science class and eat lunch!

Skip told us best spot for frost tube!

Then we are on River again...

We finally made Kaltag 6:45pm still day light! about 140miles trip.
We eat frozen "white Castle chese burger" with catchup. 140miles of susturgi surface made super fine bread cram coated deep fly looking food!! Honestly, It really nice, delicious! We should make this even at home, Kaji an me agree this recipe.

Chuathbaluk, Portage Trail, Holy Cross, Anvik

2009-03-19T01:30:00.004-08:00

I had a problem with Apple blog site, so I switch to Blogger...

Thanks Marion and Jane for nice comfortable stay!

First things this morning, Marion show us the trail head for Portage.

Then we went Chuathbaluk roundtrip (12miles upstream) to fix frost tube and meeting with Linda! She is one of the great science teachers in Alaska. It nice to discuss many things.
Then we back to Aniak (11:40am already!!).

We reached Yukon River! Deep blue sky, crusted snow, great weather! It was best weather so far in this trip. I feel still energy to drill even running longer than yesterday’s distance. We successfully made cross Kuskokwim to Yukon watershed, called Portage trail. It was not bad at all, takes about 2 hours to cross beautiful country from Kuskokwim to Yukon.

Once we hit Yukon River bed, we were flying like kite or surfing on the powder snow to Holy Cross. Then We quick set frost tube to ready other surfing for Anvik.

Kwethluk, Aniak

2009-03-19T01:25:00.002-08:00

We are back on river! and very busy day, especially Kaji! He left Anchorage this morning coming in Bethel 8:30am. Then Andrea drive her truck to pick Kaji up. We are rush to prepare to leave. I would like to see science fair at LKSD, but we better hurry, otherwise we could not make 150 miles ride before dark. 9:30am, we are already on trail, windy, cold... this is totally different than the two weeks ago. Until 11:30am, we are at Kwethluk to meet James’s science class. After the Kwethluk, we stop by Akiak to meet principal Nancy Mazurek and Tuluksak principal Mariah Wolf. Then another 50 miles to Kalskag. Trail is getting bumpy by the windy susturgi. Then finally, we reach Aniak at 5:50pm. Science teacher Marion show us the school and install frost tube. we have problem by the cold all of the items such as Generator, drill,,, It only -10 to -20 dF, but maybe we did not use since 1st trip. Anyway, we all done and back to Marion’s house. He made very very nice beef stew, pudding. This is great treats for us and very comfortable house we stay tonight!

2009-03-12T01:13:00.001-08:00

2008-12-14T11:53:00.001-09:00

Tunnel Man Series Episode 3 is approaching final editing! I can show you some of the snap shot. This episode talks about active layer and ecosystem. Active layer is seasonally freeze-thaw layer that affect soil moisture, type of vegetation, and so on. We have frost tube installed schools over the Alaska, Canada. This movie also shows how to install, to measure frost tube. Stay tune for watching this movie in holiday season!

Kivalina

2008-04-14T22:41:00.004-08:00

We are approaching to the final stage of this year’s snow machine trip! One more village to go for total 24 villages in this 3 weeks trip.
The last village is Kivalina, about 90 mile north from Kotzebue. Weather is not ideal situations for snow machine. But we heard weather turning to worse tomorrow. We decide to go and back Kivalina one day trip. We have almost white out. Sometimes we can see sun but sometimes not. Trail condition is not bat. In general, we follow coastline, Kenji did this section in 1995 snowmachining from Barrow. Only concerning is open water. Many open lead is reported near Kivalina. We should not go off shore.

We saw many wild lives the way goes up. About 3 hours later, we made it with freezing cold by the windy gust.
Principal let us warm up and take some warm drinks.
After the warm up, we go to drill site 2 miles away. Drill is not bad and to take 2 hours to establish permafrost station.

After drilling, we check spring site near by (the way back to Kotzebue).
After 5pm, we start head back to Kotzebue. It is getting miserable weather, big heavy snow with wind. All of the trail is already disappeared and looks like nobody here since last fall. Kenji tries to remember the landscape the way coming to Kivalina this morning. Unfortunatlly, white out cannot help his memory much.
However, 7:30pm, we see city light for Kotzebue. It was longest run (175 miles) in this trip. We cerebrate our trip at Bay Side Caffee.

Noorvik/Kotzebue

2008-04-13T20:41:00.002-08:00

We have a quiet Saturday morning next of John's house (Not School!). This house has big wide window facing to the south. We can see frozen Kobuk River. We go to drill site with John. Drill site is tundra surface with a few spruce trees. Air temperature is a little bit cold (-5dF), it not great temperature for drilling. We did permafrost station and frost tube taking 3 hours.
We move to Noorvik 1pm. Noorvik is hub village for trail system for Kotzebue, Selawik, and Kiana. We pass through the way going to Selawik. We look for Rod (Math/Science teacher). He is in the gym even on Saturday. We are very lucky to find several students help us to install logger and frost tube. High school student (Jerry) helps a lot all the way installation out side of the school! Thank you Jerry!
After the establish site. We go to Kotzebue.

Kiana

2008-04-11T21:14:00.006-08:00

A few days ago, we had big decision to make about final destination. Originally (ideally), we plan to snowmachine back to Haul Road near Jim River (Pump 5). That is about 350 miles from Shungnak. This route have a lot of benefit such as visiting 4 more athabaskan villages, snowmachine able to bring back to Fairbanks ourself (much cheaper), hot spring etc. but also very risky or expecting many stacks!!! Other idea is going back to Kotzebue. This takes 400 miles including to visit Kivalina. Shungnak is final village for separation of these two options. When I check trail condition for the Huslia from here. It is not good situations. because mainly last week's warm temperature breaks many creek ice and new snow covered by wet area...

So we left Shungnak 9:10am for destination to West!!
we rode about an hour to Ambler and immediately starting drilling. We had many technical problems today. Finally, we finish permafrost monitoring station at 1:00 pm.
We head to the Kiana about 85 miles away! Trail was mostly good. We made it about 3 hours.

Science teacher "John Nagy" invite dinner for us. We had extremely great time.

Shungnak/Kobuk

2008-04-11T17:19:00.003-08:00

Kenji meet teachers and students in the morning at Ambler. After class talk, we go out to see frost tube. Dr.B support and arrange very nicely this morning and she want us to drill another hole for farther site. I promise to drill the way back to Kotzebue.
Today's snowmachine trip is a piece of cake! It is beautiful weather nice trail only 32 mile away to Shungnak!
We enjoy blue sky, sun shine, mountain, moose, caribou within a hour ride.
When we are at Shungnak high school science teacher (Greg) tell us just ready to talk!!
We meets good students and nice questions!
After the classroom, we head up to the Kobuk. Kobuk is 8 mile away from here. We plan to visit for frost tube installation. Once we are Kobuk, we drill and talk teacher/students within a hour then head back to Shungnak.
Everything goes well such sunny day. It makes so easy, if we have sun shine and warmer weather!
We drill frost tube and permafrost monitoring station in Shungnak. It takes 2 horse. After the installation we go to our house for dinner! Again we have nice treat! Principal Kitza give us to stay nice small warm house including big arctic entry!

Ambler

2008-04-11T17:04:00.002-08:00

We had long tundra ride for Ambler from Selawik. Kenji meets students at two science classes this morning.
After the class at 11am, Clyde shows us the gas station and the trail head for Ambler.
Ambler trail is not much used like Noorvik trail. But it's still good shape and we can make it 4 hours including crossing two thin ice creeks.
Ambler is pretty south facing slope village along the Kobuk River. It is nice to see trees. Princepal (Dr. B) arrange for nice apartments for us and warm warehouse for sleds. After the drilling, we enjoy warm shower and reorganizing equipment in the warm place.

Selawik

2008-04-09T17:43:00.004-08:00

We had very long day.

At first, Kaji and Kenji took Frontier for Kotzebue this morning. When we
arrived Kotzebue at 10:10am, kenji dig out snowmachine and drive to the
airport to pick up Kaji and baggage.
High school lecture start 11:00am, Robbie made setting up very nicely and
two high school class join this until noon.
Once Kenji finish lecture, we met Nina (environmental coordinator for tribal
government) for lunch meeting to arrange land slid trip.
After lunch, we got some grocery for 5 days foods and gas up.
We are finally ready to leave Kotzebue 2:30pm. Still sun is high enough to
go Selawik more than 80 miles away from here.
Trail condition is perfect but a little chilled wind.
We made Selawik near 6:00pm. Clyde (Selawik NWR) help open the school and
call principal. He is nice for us to open warm shop for snowmachine and
sled.
Science teacher "John" also came to school for us to discuss tomorrow's
plan.

Once we set all our items in the school shop, we start drill at almost 8pm.
Again, we had a little problem about auger by the cold wind, temperature
around -5 to -10dF.
We finally done at 10pm, Kenji start install datelogger and reorganizing
equipments, because all of the items thawed out at warm garage.
Then finally, we all done today's work now past 1am.
It was long but nice day.

Kenji Yoshikawa

Kotzebue

2008-04-08T06:59:00.001-08:00

We are back in Kotzebue.
Kenji talk Kotzebue high school today. Then head up to Selawik this afternoon after buying grocery at AC.

Leaving Fairbanks!

2008-04-03T00:56:00.004-08:00

After the state wide test for schools in this week, Kaji and Kenji will take another snowmachine trip (Phase 2) this coming Sunday!
Snowmachines and equipments are already in Kotzuebue. Weather is getting mild. We will see Kobuk regions during nice spring season.
The route of the trail is not fix yet, depending on how long this warm temperature staying in Alaska.
Anyway, we miss ocean, snow, and big country...

Moonset at Unalakleet

back to Fairbanks

2008-04-01T02:09:00.002-08:00

Our journey along the western coast of Alaska was over.
While some were sleeping in, Kenji went to the Fish and Wildlife office to talk about a landslide investigation project.

We parked the snow machines and the sleds for storage.

They will stay there until Kenji's next snow machine expedition.

Outside it was warm, but it had started to snow and the winds started picking up.
Now that we were off our snow machines, whether we can make it to Fairbanks was up to the airplane and weather.

The plane was delayed... waiting for more than two hours, the plane finally arrived.

The plane took off from Kotzebue under the cloudy sky.
As we got closer to Fairbanks, the clouds got thinner. I could see trees, hills and familiar landscapes from Minto Flats, and flying over the Prks Highway around Ester.

We safely landed in Fairbanks around 6 PM

Thanks Kenji!

Kotzebue

2008-03-31T22:03:00.008-08:00

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.

Deering

2008-03-31T21:52:00.004-08:00

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

Shishmaref

2008-03-28T22:45:00.006-08:00

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

Wales

2008-03-27T23:25:00.004-08:00

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

Nome to Brevig Mission

2008-03-26T22:30:00.011-08:00

After bumping into Lance Mackey in the Polar Cafe this morning, just before he pulled his snow hook to start the All-Alaska Sweepstakes, we snowmachined the road to Teller from Nome, a total of 71 miles.

On this highway, not plowed in winter, snowmachines float a little better than trucks. The trail was rough in the middle, busted-up sastrugi, but was smooth close to Nome and for the last 20 miles into Teller.

On the way, we saw lots of Gold Rush relics, including this dredge and the house where the dredge people lived while they were mining.

We made it to Teller in a few hours. This graveyard is the high point in the town, which is on a peninsula surrounded by salt water. Kenji spoke with John Weemes' science class and kids from almost the entire school who asked him great questions. Principal Jay rustled us up some grub, and we're mighty thankful for his hospitality. Tohru had drilled a frost tube while Kenji was speaking. When Kenji went to drill the permafrost borehole, he found that the drill didn't work!

With no backup after a logistics messup back in Emmonak, Kenji was bummed. "If we can't fix the drill, it's the end of the trip," he said. We moved on to Brevig Mission, just six miles from Teller, and Kenji here tries to fix the drill. After watching him solve every one of the considerable problems thrown his way during this trip, Tohru and I had a feeling the drill would somehow be just fine.

Later that evening, in Brevig Mission:

And so, the trip goes on. Yes! We're getting into a good travel groove now, and from here it becomes even more interesting, as we attempt to get to Wales, Shishmaref, Deering and Kotzebue. These sections will all be more challenging because villagers don't travel them too much. In Kenji we trust.

Here's what we have covered since March 16th, about 470 miles in all:

posted by Ned. for more trip photos, see alaskatracks.com

Nome

2008-03-26T22:20:00.003-08:00

Today we made it to Nome, the place that sounds like "No name".

After Kenji's talk to the students in White Mountain, we did some final touches with the frost tube and hit the trail.

to Golovin and White Mountain

2008-03-24T22:18:00.006-08:00

Another full day of activities: a lecture, four holes drilled and travel to two villages

After explaining to Mark in Elim about the location of monitoring station, Kenji talked to the students and demonstrated how the frost tube works. We rode out of Elim by 9:30.

Today was the first day on our trip that felt like Spring. The first half an hour was a bumpy ride over hardened sastrugi.

Then the trail turned into an overland trail that shortcuts the peninsula. The trail went over some domes called "Little McKinley." At the top of the dome, we had a stunning view of the surrounding hills. Then, the trail drops down. As we descended a long hill, Golovin could be spotted in the distance.

We arrived in Golovin around 11:30.

As soon as we arrived, Kenji selected a site for the frost tube and started drilling. Then we had lunch at the school cafeteria. Chicken nuggets and green peas. Kenji talked to the students right after lunch.

After the talk, he started drilling a bore hole for the monitoring station. The site was on the southern side of town.
The material was mostly sand and ice. After a successful 4m drill, our best yet, the station was installed.

Then we packed our equipment, got on our snowmachines, and headed to White Mountain. It was a flat 15 miles over mostly sea ice and river. We arrived at White Mountain about 4 PM.

Kenji went to work right away with the frost tube. But after 70 cm he started hitting rocks. It was the same in other locations.
Instead of drilling for a monitoring station, we decided to install two frost tubes in different places.

That evening Jack and Joanne invited us over for some caribou dinner. They were Ned's friends, from his previous visits to White Mountain.

Tomorrow we are going to Nome, where all of missing stuff should be waiting for us. In case it doesn't come through, Kenji's got a "Plan B" ready.

posted by Tohru

Elim

2008-03-23T21:45:00.003-08:00

It's been a week since we started our trip.
So far, we have seven new stations installed.

Today we had another good day of traveling.
We packed our gear and left Koyuk around 10 AM.

The trail was mostly a flat overland trail with some hills that went along the coast. Large body of open water on Norton Sound could be seen sometimes when we climbed a hill.

In less than three hours, we were riding into Elim. Since it was Easter Sunday, a lot of kids were playing outside. The science teacher Mark let us in the school shortly after we arrived.

Compared to Shaktoolik or Koyuk, this village seems more protected from the the gnawing north wind.
And the snow was fluffier, unlike the wind-packed hard snow of the past few days.

On a sunny calm day like this, drilling almost seems easier. First, the frost tube drilling by the school went well. The permafrost-monitoring station drilling, on the other hand, ran into a problem less than one meter beneath the ground surface. It seemed like Kenji's drill hit bedrock, so he had to back off.

We changed plans and looked for a suitable spot for the monitoring station. The best spot was inland from the school close to the entrance of another trail.

Drilling at the new spot went successfully. The new and improved equipment that Kenji is using this year is working well, and we are actually gettting better at using the makeshift tubes and plastic pipes for the monitoring station installation.

We are halfway into our Outreach Expedition and have somehow managed to keep the schedule on track and successfully install seven stations, but all of this hard work comes with a price. Especially if your are Kenji and are wrestling with a 40 pound drill and frozen soil every day.

Whether it was planned or not, we don't now, but Kenji suggested going to the hot springs.
Hot springs?
Yes! There is a hot spring about 10 miles out of the village!

The trail that winds through the forest and up and over hills was less traveled but easy to find.
The views from the top of these hills were spectacular.

And the hot spring...

Was great!
What a way to relax and enjoy the evening after a good day's work.

posted from Elim by Tohru

Koyuk

2008-03-22T21:43:00.003-08:00

Another permafrost station and frost tube station was added to the Permafrost Outreach network.
But it wasn't an easy one.

The morning at Shaktoolik was quiet since it was a Saturday and the kids didn't come in at eight like they do on weekdays.
The clear blue sky was deceiving and almost made it look warm outside.
I guess temperature-wise it wasn't too bad, but the wind would blow away any heat that you had around you.

So, obviously the trail from Shaktoolik to Koyuk, that runs mostly on sea ice or flat tundra was completely wind-blown with hard-packed sastrugi everywhere.
Sometimes Kenji's tracks would be erased by the drift before the second person passed it.
Again, the Iditarod trail markers helped us with our bearings.

The only noticeable structure along this 50 miles was a shelter cabin about 15 miles from Shaktoolik.

Other than that, it was a very white and cold ride until the very end.
Even in Koyuk there was still some wind, but much more tolerable.

At the school, the science teacher Joe was awaiting our arrival.
After a short break, we went to work right away.

The frost tube went in quickly with the new drill setup Kenji is using this year.
Since it looked like the same area had good features for a Permafrost Monitoring Station, we decided to drill next to the frost tube hole.

The first 80 cm or so was easy. Just like we hoped.

But from there on the drill would get stuck, time after time. When the drill gets stuck, it's important to keep it moving, even just a little bit, to keep it from freezing solid to the ground. If it freezes to the ground, as it wants to do when a cold wind is blowing, it is almost impossible to get it out.

Halfway into the expedition, some of our equipment is showing signs of fatigue and with more than half of our original gear missing somewhere in Alaska. We can't afford to break or lose anything.

After two hours of hard work and lot of struggle, we finished the installation.
We were disappointed we couldn't drill deeper, but with the conditions we had, it was wise to stop before something broke.

Back in the classroom, Kenji is strategizing plans for the next couple of days. In Nome, we will have a chance to resupply some of the equipment. Nome is still a few days off. Until then, we have to continue improvising and be very careful with how we do things.

After a long day, we saw another gorgeous sunset from the top of the hill. From there, you can see where the shelter cabin was in the distance, about 30 miles off, and the frozen Koyuk River below us.

Shaktoolik

2008-03-21T23:46:00.005-08:00

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.

Unalakeet

2008-03-20T22:33:00.003-08:00

Another busy morning for Kenji at St. Michael.
We stayed Frank's science class last night.
His talk started at 9:30 and as soon as he was done, he went to the Permafrost Station to download the data.

The trail to Unalakeet is less traveled and Kenji was a little cautious about the trail.
But we asked for trail conditions and markers from many of the knowledgeable people.
And luckily, there were 7 dog teams and snow machines that went on the trail two days ago, so the trail should be easy to find.
The temperature in St. Michael was -17F with some wind.
We were prepared for a cold ride.

Soon we were out of the cold area, and the felt much warmer with the sun shining high above us in the blue sky.
The trail was in superb condition.

We saw the group of mushers in Golsovia.
Again, we got more information about the trail ahead of us, which is even less traveled.
There were some known open water in he area, so we wanted to be sure where to get out on to the sea ice.

As we got closer to Unalakleet the near shore ice became harder to ravel with all the jagged mounds of land fast ice.
There were also a lot of drift wood in this area.

We stopped at the school first and talked to the principal Bill.
Even though it was during Spring Break, he was kind enough to let us say at the school.

A beautiful day snow machining, safely arriving in Unalakleet, getting a place to stay, it almost seemed like our first good day.

But that didn't quite work out the way we hoped to.

When we went to pick up our cargo, we were told that it wasn't here yet...
We were counting on our sleds and other gear to continue our installation expedition.

Kenji starts thinking and trying to figure out what he can do.

Supply is hard to come by in the villages, and here is no exception.
He scrambled around the village to look for some pipes...
After some phone calls, he finally found some 1"1/2 ABS pipe.
Know it's improvising time.

One good thing about this trip is the beautiful sunset we have been having.
As the sun is setting Kenji is drilling the sea ice to measure the thickness of the ice.

St Micahel

2008-03-20T07:55:00.002-08:00

Yesterday Kenji talked to the students first thing in the morning.
It was a cold morning with some wind.

Then we drilled the borehole for the permafrost station.
When it's cold many things can go wrong.

The bit, the adapter for the auger, plastic casing etc.
The biggest problem was the adapter, but we managed to successfully get the job done.

From Stebbins to St. Michael is only about 12 miles.
A quick hop compared to the other locations.

We got there in the afternoon.

We started drilling there but the adapter had more problems...
Although we finished drilling and set the permafrost station and the frost tube.
It will be challenge to drill with our current equipment.

Especially with the cold temperature right now.
(-18F)

We will head to Unalkleet around 10:30 this morning.

Kotlik and Stebbins

2008-03-18T21:39:00.006-08:00

We thought of a few options last night.
But nothing was certain until morning.

Once calls were made and talked to some people, we decided to send some of our equipment in Emmonak and our sleds in Anchorage to Unakleet.
The stuff will get there on Thursday, and if we hurry we can be there when it arrives.
To do this, we needed to lighten our load, because we were only able to find one sled that would work for us.
Unfortunately the other sleds in the village sold out just days ago.

Although everything was in a rush, we were able to pack and leave by 10:30.
Since we had been delayed, we were planning on making a quick stop at Kotlik and then arriving to Stebbins or St. Michels today.

(Special thanks to Jason who loaned us his sled and Will who helped us with everything)

The trail was nice and hard and well marked with a little bit of fresh blown snow.
There was enough tracks from Emmonak to Kotlik, and it only took about an hour and a half to get there.

As soon as we got the school, Kenji talked to the teacher and we started drilling the hole for the Permafrost station.
Although the wind was blowing a little bit, the drilling went successfully.

After fueling up, we headed to Stebbins.
despite the cold wind, the clear blue sky made for a good day to travel.
We even took a short break for lunch.

Along the coast it became harder to see where the land ended and the sea started, very flat and hard to tell directions and distances.

Three hours on the snow machine and we made it to Stebbins around 6 PM.
Thanks to Eric the school door was open for us.

We quickly drilled a hole for the Frost tube and called it good for the day.

A full morning in Emmonak

2008-03-17T14:41:00.003-08:00

It was a long night making final preparations for the trip.
We were able to stay at the school last night.
Waiting in the classroom as the students started coming into the building.

Kenji talked to the students in the gym,
and talked about the Permafrost station and the temperature of the ground around the school.

After the talk, we found out that the sleds will not arrive here today.
It was a completely disappointing news that could change the entire schedule.

Since we don't have the casing pipes either, we used plastic containers

Scrambling to look for the best solution, calling the freight company and VECO.
Hours went by...

Kenji went to the river to take some samples and measure the ice thickness.

While we are thinking about our next move, Ned was asked to give a talk to the students.

And new development with the sled.
We may borrow a sled from the locals...

for more information try
http://www.iarc.uaf.edu/expeditions/

Bethel to Emmonak

2008-03-16T23:59:00.009-08:00

In Bethel Kenji was joined by Ned and Tohru.

Since it has been snowing.
There were worries that the flight will be canceled to Emmonak.
Even with concerns, we had a great time thanks to Ron and Kathy's warm welcome.
(Kenji's old friends)

The flight out of Bethel was almost like being trapped inside a ping pong ball.
All white...
Just at the end of the flight, we were able to see the blue sky and the village of Emmonak.
And a lot of moose tracks around the airport.

As soon as we landed we were ready to pack our snow machines and start drilling.
Unfortunately we soon found out that some of our gear were missing, still in Anchorage.
THe Science teacher, Will came to meet us at the airport.
Will brought a truck and took us to the gas station to get gas for our snow machines before the store closed.

After some looking around, Kenji found a suitable spot for a Permafrost station and started drilling.
Despite the lack of some equipment, a 3.5 meter bore hole was drilled and the sensors placed in the casing.
A successful Frost tube monitoring station installation soon followed.

Thanks to the long daylight we were able to finish a lot of work before dark.

Ron showed us the trail that leads to Kotlik.
The trail that we will be heading out on tomorrow.

After having a burger at the restaurant, a rarity in the village, we unpacked and reorganized our gear, and also pre made some of the Frost tubes.

Shaguluk - Bethel

2008-03-15T23:42:00.005-08:00

When we wake up morning at Anvik, I saw blowing snow from school roof badly. Definitely weather is going to bad. We are worried about to stack here or at Shageluk! This makes big problem for rest of our snowmachine trip. Luckily airplane pick us up about 1 hour delay.

We decide not staying in Shageluk, but we do drop off frost tube and pick up datalogger. Shegaluk school principal brought datalogger to the runway, when we arrived Shageluk. After we staying 10 minute at Shageluk runway, we head down to the Bethel via Aniak.

Once we were at Bethel, Ron and Kathy Bowerman pick us up airport to their home. We feel very comfortable at thier house with nice dinner! We have to do one more task today at Bethel. Our retired professor "Tom" drilled permafrost temperature borehole in 1980s. We would like to find this hole and re-establish monitoring site. Kaji and Kenji are looking for this hole but we could not find today. But this is good first step for Bethel borehole project!

Anvik

2008-03-14T23:50:00.003-08:00

Kaji and Kenji arrived Anvik by Hageland Air 4:20pm today. We desided to install permafrost monitoring site in Anvik and frost tube site in Shageluk as well before starting snow machine trip. Kenji was too busy to prepair all of the trips last night before leaving Fairbanks. Finally, no time to sleep until catch up 8:15am flight this morning. Anyway, we made to success first step of this trip. We drill 5m borehole and to install frost tube. Science teacher Jolene is great teacher and she call all of the students to make special evening class for me. All students came to school 7:00pm with good manner. We hear many impressive sharp questions!
After lecture (after 8:30pm) we finalised monitoring site and preparation for tomorrow!

Spring Campaign final preparation

2008-03-12T22:29:00.002-08:00

We have exciting news for the permafrost monitoring program. We will start drilling and lecturing along the Bering Sea coiastal region, from Emmonak to Kotzebue next Sunday, March 16th. You will be able to see “what is going on with us ?” everyday at our website www.uaf.edu/permafrost .
Our detailed schedule depends on weather, trail conditions, how the drill machine works, etc. It will be hard say when we are where?!
However, If you check our blog. You can find out where we are! And see a lot of pictures!
Any questions? You can reach us via E-mail (ffky@uaf.edu).

Anivik March 14
Shageruk March 15
Bethel March 16
Emmonak March 17
Kotlik March 17
St Micheal, March 18
Stebbins March 18
Unalakleet March 19
Shaktoolik March 20
Koyuk March 21
Elim March 21
Golovin March 24
White Mountain March 25
Nome March 25
Teller March 26
Brevig Mission March 26
Wales March 27
Shishmaref March 28
Deering March 30
Kotzebue April 1

News Letter

2008-03-07T19:22:00.001-09:00

"Tunnel Man" Episode 1 "Emerging from the ancient permafrost"going to edit!

2008-02-29T13:43:00.007-09:00

"Tunnel Man" Episode 1 almost finish taking picture and going to edit now. I can show you some of the video shots!

Anaktuvuk Pass

2008-02-26T18:44:00.003-09:00

Kaji and Kenji fly to Anaktuvuk Pass.
Anaktuvuk Pass is located beautiful valley at the middle of Brooks Range and we can see a lot of caribou around the village. Middle school students said "caribou will leave, when the snow disappear." We try to drill deeper as normal 5-6m. However, very frozen gravelly condition to allow us drilling as deep as 1.5m. We install one detalogger and to meet students before airplane pick us up!

"Tunnel Man" start filming!

2008-02-19T18:34:00.003-09:00

We are happy to announce exciting news today!
The series of educational action and adventure movie "Tunnel Man" start filming.
This series try to explain "science and Math" using typical Alaskan topics. But it not only educational movie but also including hard action and extreme adventure. So people call "Last secret of ALASKA!"
First film will finish in March!

Minto

2008-02-18T20:32:00.003-09:00

Kaji and Kenji drove to the Village "Minto". Minto is Athabaskan Indian village north of Fairbanks.
Science teacher "monica" organized to set up meeting with the middle school students.
Kenji had a lecture about permafrost and installation of the frost tube with them.
After the frost tube installation, we drill deeper borehole for permafrost temperature monitoring program.

McGrath

2008-02-15T06:43:00.003-09:00

After we move to McGrath school. We join Nicole's middle school science class and high school chemistry class. all students are well knowledge and great time. Once class room talk was done, we go out to drill frost tube and deeper temperature monitoring hole. frost tube site are developed out side of classroom and white spruce forest floor. deeper borehole was installed about 2km east of town, where presence of permafrost.

Takotna

2008-02-15T05:37:00.004-09:00

Kaji and Kenji visit Takotna and McGrath on Monday. Takotna is located about 20 miles west of McGrath. Principal (Bob) pick us up at runway by snowmachine (He has nice 4 stroke Arctic Cat!). After arriving school, we install frost tube. Bob help with us all the time during -14dF cold outside. Early afternoon, pilot (Mike) pick us up for fly back to McGrath.

Alaska Forum

2008-02-13T10:40:00.003-09:00

Our poster is presenting at Alaska Forum of the Environment, Anchorage. It is great exposure to show our activity to the state wide community. Kaji and Kenji stop by the Egan convention center on Sunday. If you need poster, let me know we may make copy for you.

Healy and Anderson

2008-02-06T08:28:00.000-09:00

We have new member to help our program. His name is "Kaji" who is UAF graduate student at department of Journalism.
So he is very good at recording our activity!
We (Kaji, Tohru and Kenji) visit Healy and Anderson schools to give a talk and check out frost tube.

Happy New Year !

2008-01-07T22:20:00.000-09:00

Most of the schools in Alaska start this week.
We are also try to work hard and to make exciting year for 2008.
Our tentative time schedule for this year is following:
January 1 - May 16: Visiting schools around Alaska and Yukon Canada
including snow machine trip along the coastal villages
May 16-May 30: Greenland
June: Tibet
July: Siberia
August: Mongolia
September- December: Back to Alaska
We are hoping more than 100 schools participants in this program at the end of year 2008!
Thank you for your support.
Any question, please send e-mail for us!
We wish you a great successful and exiting year for 2008.

Happy Holidays! -final news letter for 2007-

2007-12-19T20:51:00.001-09:00

There are now 40Permafrost Monitoring Stations successfully established in Alaska, Siberia, Canada, Mongolia and Greenland. We will continue to install more stations at schools in all of the Arctic Countries. Please check www.uaf.edu/permafrost for updates of our new members!
In the web page you will find our new “Frost Tube” program. This program is aimed to monitor changes in the active layer throughout the school year. NSF Globe program, ACM program and TSP programs are our collaborators for creating a strong monitoring network! We are extremely happy this year because several proposals were awarded towards this project from NSF IPY and NASA. This will be great step for us to be able to visit more schools and establish monitoring stations.

The International Polar Year is a large scientific program focused on the Arctic and the Antarctic from March 2007 to March 2009. IPY, organized through the International Council for Science (ICSU) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), is actually the fourth polar year, following those in 1882-3, 1932-3, and 1957-8. IPY will involve over 200 projects, with thousands of scientists from over 60 nations examining a wide range of physical, biological and social research topics. It is also an unprecedented opportunity to demonstrate, follow, and get involved with, cutting edge science in real-time. We are happy to be part of an IPY project!
Thank you for your support!
Happy Holydays!
Tohru Saito & Kenji yoshikawa

American Geophysical Union

2007-12-16T11:14:00.000-09:00

Tohru Saito and Kenji Yoshikawa participant American Geophysical Union (AGU) in San Francisco. AGU is one of the biggest earth science meeting in the world. more than 10,000 scientist came from all over the world. We present both poster and oral presentations for our permafrost outreach program. We are so grad to talk many people who interest our effort.

Temperature at Gulkana and talk

2007-12-05T08:36:00.000-09:00

Vladimir Romanovsky and Kenji Yoshikawa met near Gulkana airport for measuring permafrost temperature. Prof. Tom Osterkamp set up this site since mid 1980s. This is one of the most exciting monitoring sites for all science community. We had a little bit hard time to work by the cold morning. But we successfully measure nice temperature profile.

Kenji had a opportunity to talk for local community at night. Janelle and Dave (Wrangell Institute for Science and Environment (WISE)) organized and prepared fantastic place (National Park Service). There is great team work with Glenn Hart (Program Manager at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve). It was nice Friday evening with good audience and staff.

Delta Junction

2007-12-03T22:43:00.000-09:00

Kenji met students and teacher (Jason Garman) at Delta Junction High school on November 29 and again December 1st. Jason help Kenji to install frost tube next of nature trail.

Kenny Lake

2007-12-03T22:37:00.000-09:00

Kenji visit Kenny Lake on November 29th and 30th. After the classroom lecture, Kenii and Students download data from permafrost monitoring station. Kenji also install frost tube for monitoring active layer just next of the station.

Two full year data at Pearl Creek Elementary School!

2007-11-21T08:28:00.000-09:00

Pearl Creek Elementary School (Fairbanks) had the oldest permafrost station in our network.
We compare difference between 2006 and 2007 dataset at the multi-age classroom.

Pearl Creek School

2007-11-15T21:48:00.000-09:00

We re-visit Pearl Creek Elementary School today. This is third visiting for us and already full two year data collected from here. Students are well understand permafrost, especially multi-age class works great for teach each other.
After we read frost depth using frost tube, we cloth looked two years data and discuss difference between 2006 and 2007.

Frost tube works great!

2007-11-13T15:15:00.000-09:00

The students from Randy Smith Middle School visit their permafrost (frost tube) monitoring site to read the depth of the ground freezing!

Frost Tube at Randy Smith Middle School

2007-11-07T15:43:00.000-09:00

Frost tube is great way to monitoring seasonal frost layer. It is easy to make just corored water fill in the clear tube. Whatever the ice formed, ice does not include color. the bounday of color and clear is bounday of freezing front!

Big Triangle part 2 (Northway)

2007-10-25T15:27:00.000-08:00

Next morning (Oct.23, 2007) after we download data from Kenny Lake, We start drive for Northway another 180 miles. The way go up to Northway, we stop by Gakona, Chistochina, Slana, Mentasta Lake schools for future borehole establishment!
Northway is the almost boder village to Canada. That why some of the students have relatives in Beaver Creek (Canada). We arrive village after 6:00 pm and start drilling.
Drill is quite easy in the frozen sand all the way to 6m. We finish all of the installation around 8pm.

On Wednesday morning, Kenji met science teacher (Jennifer) and students. We have a chance to talk two classroom until noon. Then after checking temperature, we head back to Fairbanks.

Big Triangle part 1 (Glennallen, Kenny Lake)

2007-10-25T00:14:00.000-08:00

We (Tohru and Kenji) have a plan to visit schools in the Copper River watershed area this week.
Big triangle means the road system making triangle shape between Delta Junction, Glennallen, and Tok in Alaska. At first we stop by Gakona study site, then download Glennallen high school.

After the download, we move to Kenny Lake. At the Kenny Lake school, we install datalogger and sensors.

Cantwell, Denali Science Center, Healy, and Anderson

2007-10-18T20:32:00.001-08:00

We had busy schedule for visiting four schools today!
At first, we drove straight to the Cantwell from Fairbanks (150 miles) in snowy condition.
Once we arrived Cantwell, we discussed with pricipal (Pete) about frost tube and heaving monitoring issue.

After the installation for the frost tube, we went to Denali Center (but not install in this time). Then we went to Healy to install frost tube.

After Healy, we went to Anderson. School was already ended and no students around. but Tricia (science teacher) and principal Dr. Geoffrey Buerger was waiting us to schdule drilling.

There was little bit difficult drilling in Anderson. Because of glacial sediments were mainly gravel and boulder! We did use classic percussion method to install PVC pipes.

Fairbanks (Randy Smith Middle School)

2007-10-13T22:43:00.000-08:00

We are back in Fairbanks this week. It is nice to be back in our hometown.

We drilled again on Thursday and established a permafrost monitoring station and a frost tube monitoringt site at Randy Smith Middle School.

I spent all day giving permafrost presentations to a total of six classes. However, I feel great and not tired because students were so good and patient.

After the presentations, Mike and Kenji installed the datalogger and frost tube in the monitoring station in the school yard.

Science teacher Mr. Mike Geil is a really nice teacher and also all of the students are really good and know a lot about permafrost!

Whitehorse, Beaver Creek

2007-10-11T08:08:00.000-08:00

By the time we were back to Whitehorse, Panya already download the data from the Whitehorse permafrost station.
Data shows very warm permafrost! (you can download from our web site.!

Takhini Hot Springs is a nice hot spring close to Whitehorse, about 20 min away. Tohru and Kenji soaked in the outside pool and celebrated the succsseful Canada field trip.

However, on the way back to Alaska, Winter finally caught up with us! driving in the slippery snow was difficult and slow.

The Beaver Creek permafrost station was also already covered by snow.
We just download the data and changed batteries, and then crossed the border to the US.

Faro, Ross River

2007-10-08T23:34:00.000-08:00

We flew from Old Crow to Inuvik, and then back to Dawson with Air North, which is the only way out of Old Crow.

From Dawson, Tohru and Kenji got back on the truck and headed to Faro (another 500km drive!).
Kenji collected water samples at major river crossings along the way.
The road condition was not great because of snow and the wet dirt-road. We made it to the B&B past 10pm.

Next Morning, we drove another 60km to Ross River.

Most of the students remembered Kenji.
Kneji demonstrated how the thermisters worked and showed the students what a spectrometer does.

After the talk in class, we downloaded the data and changed the datalogger batteries.

After visiting the Ross River school, we rushed back to Faro.
Then talked to two classes at Faro in the afternoon. Again, Faro students remembered Kenji and was able to further disscuss about permafrost, and learned about their monitoring station.

Old Crow

2007-10-08T08:04:00.000-08:00

We met students in the morning at the Robert Service School, Dawson. We all went out of the classroom and installed temperature sensors in the borehole.

After the measurement of the temperature, Panya, Tohru, and Kenji catch up to the airplane for Old Crow.
Old Crow is the only remote village in Yukon Territory, Canada. Other rests of villages are connected with road system.
We arrived in Old Crow around 12:00 noon and met principal Vaino Latvala and science teacher Manuela Zeitlhofer. We had snowstorms during our visit. However, we success to install a datalogger and sensors in the borehole.

Dawson

2007-10-01T22:59:00.002-08:00

After buying supplies we left Whitehorse and headed for Dawson.

We had lunch at Five Finger Rapids Lookout.

We arrived in Dawson around 2:30 and met principal Philip Cull and science teacher Liz Wood.

At the site, Panya first dug out the dirt layer, and then the gravel layer with a shovel.
After the hole was about 50cm deep, Kenji strated drilling the borehole.

At about 3.70cm deep we hit another gravel layer and stopped drilling.

And a successful permafrost monitoring station was installed.

Since we could not go as deep as we wanted, we tried drilling in another location.
The drilling went on well into the evening, but we stopped after hitting a couple of gravel layers.

2007-10-01T22:59:00.001-08:00

Globe workshop

2007-10-01T22:57:00.000-08:00

Cantwell

2007-09-27T09:05:00.000-08:00

This is exciting news! Cantawell school can join us to establish permafrost station.Cantwell School Principal and Science Teacher (Peter Hauschka) support our program. Tohru and Kenji leave 5:30am at Fairbanks for catching 9am science class at Cantwell. Cantawell is about160 mile south of Fairbanks (It takes about 3 hour drive). We made on time and great time with students. after the lecture, we had a big challenge to find permafrost. This area is sporadic permafrost region and thick glacial till and outwash (gravel and boulder!). It is not favable to drill and to look for permafrost. Finally, we success to find permafrost by opinion from local residence.

Manley Hot Spring

2007-09-27T09:01:00.000-08:00

Tohru and Kenji visit Manley Hot Spring on 21st of September.
Basically, we were trying to drill a deeper hole next to the existing
hole at this time. When we drilled the first hole in the Spring of 2007, we could only go 3.5m deep.
We thought it was because the permafrost (and the air temperature
that day) was very low and ice was re-forming on the bit.
So, we wanted to give it another try to get down to 6m.
That is the standard depth for the outreach program.
Anyway, the drilling did not go well.
The reason why we couldn't go deeper was because there was a layer of
gravel.
With the equipment we had it was a bit too much to tackle at the time.
So there's no change in the system or the monitoring station.

Healy

2007-09-27T08:57:00.000-08:00

Tohru and Kenji visit Healy on Sep. 20. When we look at temperature data, we do not see permafrost indication at schoolyard site. There was permafrost in 70s-80s. this site is degradating permafrost last 20 years!

Wainwright

2007-09-26T22:40:00.000-08:00

We are visting Wainwright. Wainwright is quiet beautiful beach side village little south west (70mile) from Barrow. Art Clark (USGS)and his team drilled here in June and to spike through the permafrost (330m). He donate this hole to local school education. This is one of the greatest hole and also extreamly deepest(380m).
Vlad and Kenji had good time with high school students and new teacher (Emily) in the morning. then Vlad start measurements to the borehole. Al (principal) cordinate to meet student with Kenji. About 160 students are here in this town.

Barrow

2007-09-26T22:28:00.000-08:00

Vlad (Romanovsky) and Kenji (Yoshikawa) came back to Barrow on Sep.17.
Kenji had chance to talk new teacher (Emily) and students. After classroom, Kenji replace datalogger.

Back to Alaska! and Start fall semester

2007-09-18T23:12:00.000-08:00

We are finnaly back to Alaska!
School was already start almost one month ago! We are going to catch up 2007 fall semester outreach program.
At first, Vladimir Romanovsky and Kenji Yoshikawa went up to North Slope villages (Barrow and Wainwright). I will wright travel report next a few days!

Nuuk

2007-09-16T07:26:00.000-08:00

Nuuk is our last vititing for our Greenland trip. Nuuk is the capital of the Greenland (Karallit Nuunat) as well as biggest city.
We look for permafrost here. Most of the land in Nuuk is absence of permafrost.
Permafrost is only presence at the base of north facing slope but also thicker peat area.
We would like say that this is southern boundary of the permafrost distribution in Greenland!

After the drilling, we packed up and back to Fairbanks.

Sisimut

2007-09-13T11:56:00.000-08:00

After two boreholes established in Ilulisat. we are moving to Sisimut. Sisimut is second largest town in Greenland and has technical collage. We stay in collage cabin and fix most of the augers at thier wearhouse.

Ilulissat

2007-09-03T13:41:00.000-08:00

After look around boreholes in Kagerlussuaq, we are move to Ilulissat.
Ilulisat is beautiful town (population 4000). The name "ilulissat" came from
"ice berg" in Greenlandic. Many icebergs were alway surround town.
We drill three boreholes to install data loggers.

Kangerlussuaq

2007-08-31T08:40:00.000-08:00

We ariived Kangerlussuaq (Sondrestrom Fjord).

for Greenland

2007-08-31T01:43:00.000-08:00

Kenji was drill camp right bank of Lena River, when Vlad and Misha drilling at Lensk.
We are separating and each operation going quite well. After a week later, we all back to Yakutsk. Permafrost Institute set beach party for us!
We were back to Fairbanks on August 21st safely.
Then Vlad and Kenji again leave Fairbanks for Greenland on August 29.

Lensk

2007-08-28T01:13:00.000-08:00

Vladimir and Mikhail go to Lensk for drilling school program. School is still summer holydays however, three students have interesting in this program. They are very well understanding computer software and quickly to operate dataloggers and reading temperature.
After organising temperature cables, we install sensors to borehole.

to Yakutsk

2007-08-23T21:26:00.000-08:00

We picked up Kenji's luggage at airport. Then we catch another airplane from another airport for Yakutsk.
Yakutsk is located along the Lena River 6 hour plane ride from Moscow. There are many interesting culture by the native Yakutian, especially, horse meat stew was excellent! Also world famouse Yakutsk Permafrost Institute is located this town.
Our host and lead Scientist Prof. Mikhail Zheleznyak pick us up at airport.

Siberia Trip!

2007-08-23T04:02:00.000-08:00

Vladimir Romanivsky and Kenji Yoshikawa were just back from Siberia trip this morning.
More than 24 hours airplane trip was not fun. But we had great time over there! We will show you this week in this web!

At first, we arrived at Moscow. Kenji's luggage was missing but we enjoy capital city.
Moscow have many beautiful churches and parks in the middle of downtown and very convenient subway transportation!

Drilling at Kenny Lake

2007-07-19T21:12:00.000-08:00

We did drill Kenny Lake School finally! Kenny Lake is most southern part of the permafrost boundary in Alaska. We try to drill several spot around the school since last year. However, we never found permafrost. Also the area has lake sediments with glacier till which extremely difficult to drill for us. The site, we drill in this time, is still school property and relatively tall spruce forest. We start drill mid night around 2am until morning. Permafrost seems warmer condition but including beautiful 30cm of ice layer depth at 1m below ground surface.

Drilling plan for this summer

2007-07-11T23:19:00.000-08:00

Kenji is back from Asian trip and Tohru success and back 2007 Denali expedition.
The school start a little more than a month, we start think about autumn village trips.
We will plan to visit Ft. Yukon, Northway, Circle, Dawson City, Kotzbue, Selawik…
So before we are getting busy, we look for good spot for drilling at Kenny Lake School. Kenny Lake is very tricky place to find permafrost. We expect this is one of the most southern boundaries of permafrost region in Alaska. The way go down to Kenny Lake, we saw lynx. Also we check borehole at Glennallen high school.

Tokyo

2007-06-20T07:02:00.000-08:00

Kenji and his family visit Tokyo in June. We have a chance to talk 6 grader students in Tokyo. They are very well behave and well understanding science. The principal (Nishidome-Sensei) organized great introduction. We agree to cooperate for future student science projects!

Terelj

2007-06-04T20:32:00.000-08:00

Terelj is about 2000 people live beautiful southernern boundary of Siberian boreal forest. When I saw north facing slopes, it feel being Siberia. Once I looked at south facing slopes, it typical mongolian grass land, where is absent of permafrost.
All of the students in Terelj is K1-7. No high school is in here. So, we decide to talk with younger students!

13th century park

2007-05-29T13:56:00.000-08:00

After presentation at the school, we visit 13th century park. This park contain 5 different categories of ger and disply remaked 800 years ago! as well as food.

Mongolian High School

2007-05-28T13:29:00.000-08:00

We have a chance to talk Mongolian high school today. all of the students are well respect and understanding in English. I heard recent young generation have been studied more in English than the Russian as second language. They have a very interesting in permafrost and Mongolian environmental science. I cannot forget thier beautiful and sharp eyes.

Nalayh

2007-05-27T14:11:00.000-08:00

Ulaanbaatar had permafrost 50 years ago by the city construction reports. however, we cannot find evidence today.
We select "Nalayh" city for this project. Nalayh is about 35km east of Ulaanbartar and originally coal mining town. Coal mining was closed late 80s but well known geological condition. Permafrost is present north facing slope and valley bottom. Active layer thickness is 3.5 to 5m deep. It is unuseal for Alaska but common in here!
We vsit high school for setting up presentation schedule and visiting several Sharkhuu's borehole sites. School is located middle of the town and no play ground. We cannot find any monitoring site in school yard. We decide to use one of the excisting boreholes.

Ulaanbaatar

2007-05-26T20:17:00.000-08:00

After 5 hours flight from Tokyo, Mongolian Airline (MIAT) jet arrived Ulaanbaatar.
Ulaanbaatar is capital of Mongolia and over 40% of Mongolian live in this city. City just reached 1 million people and this baby recieved appartment from city as award.
Sharkhuu (Mongolian Academy of Science) was waiting our landing at airport. He has been involved with the borehole network in Mongolia. He will lead in the field campaign and efforts to interact with the Mongolian communities. He is our host at Mongolia and let us to stay his appartmernt.

The trip for Mongolia

2007-05-16T21:24:00.000-08:00

Kenji Yoshikawa will leave for Mongolia tomorrow. At first, Air plane go to Seattle, and Tokyo. When overnight stay in Tokyo Narita airport, I will fly for Ulaanbator on Saturday. Sharkhuu is the main organizer of this trip. Kenji and Sharkhuu plan to install and visit 3 schools near Ulaanbator. Sharkhuu Natsagdorj, Mongolian Academy of Science; he has been involved with the borehole network in Mongol. He will lead in the field campaign and efforts to interact with the Mongolian communities. Stay tune! I will report Mongolian school and students.

Ross River/ Faro (May 9, 2007)

2007-05-13T22:07:00.002-08:00

It was last working day in Canada today. We had to drive a little bit more...
At first, we drove about 60km to Ross River in the morning. Ross River is native community almost head water for Yukon River watershed. Village is located on the permafrost but about 6m of thawed gravel layer making us to confused the presence of permafrost. We saw big & tall white spruce with dry forest floor sounding the village. This is typical sign of the absent of the permafrost. However, school had been serious permafrost degradation problems. This beautiful Ross River School builds 5 years ago, but already many cracks in the building and still moving!
Brian (Science teacher) shows us quick tour in the building and we had a great time with local students. EBA have a plan to drill at the school next month. They agree to use this drill hole for our outreach program! So we do not plan to drill here in Ross River today.

After the Ross River School GPR demonstration, we drove back to Faro. Many stormy clouds developed around road. We were little worry about field demonstration in Faro this afternoon. In the sky, also we saw abnormal number of crane flying! What a interesting place here!
We made it just 30 minute before presentation for Faro school. This school had also been permafrost problems. We had a fun time with extraordinary students. They were so good manner and knowledge about permafrost! After the talking, we all went out to the drill site. We demonstrated GPR and drilling. Many students were first time to touch permafrost. We believe they enjoy it. At the end of field demonstration, we set datalogger and back to school. Then we drove back to Whitehorse this evening with excellent feeling because of meeting with outstanding Faro’s students and great success of this program.

Faro (May 8, 2007)

2007-05-11T22:56:00.000-08:00

We drive another 500-600 km to go Faro today. Faro is originally mining town and house and road is beautifully constructed. We talk to Garry (principal) and Bruce (science teacher) about class schedule and drill site. School building and play ground had quite bit permafrost problems. One of the baseball field need fill in gravel every year that why grass could not growing. When we arrived Faro, it was rain. But it looks getting better. We decide to drill upper part of small valley next of the school. We are successfully installed Faro permafrost monitoring site around 7pm. We back to B&B to make temperature sensors and start datalogger. After the dinner, sensors are in the hole and start recording. The sky is just getting orange and beautiful sunset with some remaining cloud.

Drilling at Dawson (Sometimes we loose, but this is real life and real excitement!)

2007-05-11T17:37:00.000-08:00

We start drill in front of school using minuteman drill system. The reason of using this system is gravel layer. Mike told us detail school property ground conditions since 1920s and Panya’s reports, we knew the drill site had 30-100cm of gravel layer, up to 3.5m of frozen silt and gravel deeper than 3.5m. The hand operated drill system cannot go through upper gravel layer. Once we start Minuteman, we can break through frozen gravel layer and up to 2.5m works great! Then we got problem about water system. The way of break frozen gravel layer need air compressor or pressured water to blow out cutting chips. We use water system for this and drill bit filled dart at the water discharge holes at 2.5m. We just keep drill at 3m deep and to install casing. Upper gravel collapse in the hole and never let PVC pipe go through even half inch PVC! We try auger or core barrel to cleaning gravel layer but all failed!
We will back here again with another (hydrolic) drill system!

Dawson City (May 6, 2007)

2007-05-09T22:12:00.000-08:00

We drove to Dawson about 6 hours drive from Whitehorse. Dawson had gold rush in 1898 since then the school was located same position, but the building was rebuild several times. Current school building was build early 1980s. This is one of the most beautiful building we saw. Panya brought many past reports for Dawson city. We check existence of the several boreholes in the reports. These are great materials for school students checking permafrost temperature decadal changing. Most of the borehole/thermistors are disconnected by the remodeling/ redesign. Very few boreholes are seems survive since 1970s. We also plan to establish permafrost observation site in front of school.
We had presentation next day. After presentation, Panya demonstrate stereo pair air photograph and datalogger. Then all students went out baseball field to test ground peneteratating radar.

We found permafrost! (May 5, 2007)

2007-05-09T22:07:00.000-08:00

In the very discontinuous permafrost zone near Whitehorse, we finally found permafrost near Golden Horn school! Karen McKenna (a local Whitehorse permafrost/vegetation specialist) helped us greatly in finding a small patch of permafrost near Cowley Creek! We drilled a 5 m borehole, and found a nice 30 cm thick massive ice layer at about 3 m depth. Thank you Karen!!
We do not know the complete thermal state of this permafrost site yet, but the permafrost is estimated to be about 10 m thick.

Whitehorse (May 4, 2007)

2007-05-05T21:55:00.000-08:00

We are now in Whitehorse and have drilled several sites at Golden Horn school. Unfortunately, we had no luck finding permafrost there. Whitehorse is located near the southern boundary of permafrost, so it is difficult to find permanently frozen ground here. Seasonally frozen ground in the upper 70 cm of the ground is common, but so far we have had no luck finding permanently frozen ground below the seasonal frost layer.
The school students visited the drill site to see the equipment we use for drilling and geophysical investigations (GPR: Ground Penetrating Radar). After the field demonstration, we went back to classroom to show a permafrost slide show. The students were great and were very interested, and we had a great time with the Golden Horn students and teachers. Unfortunately, we still haven't found permafrost for them to monitor, but we are not giving up yet...!

Destruction Bay (May 3, 2007)

2007-05-03T22:03:00.000-08:00

Panya (Yukon Geological Survey) and Kenji gave presentation first thing in the morning at Beaver Creek School. Then we intall temperature sensors at borehole site.
After the installtion, we move to Destruction Bay. Destruction Bay School is very small and four students are studying there. We gave presentation and demonstrate GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar).

Beaver Creek (May 2, 2007)

2007-05-03T21:39:00.000-08:00

Kenji arrived at Beaver Creek in afternoon. This area is really interesting about climatic conditions. One of the coldest spot of the North America is just 20 mile from here. Permafrost is feeling much colder than Fairbanks even lower latitude. At first, I meet Panya (Geological Survey of Yukon), we discuss about drill site. Erin (principal) is very helpful for getting permission. Kazu (White River First Nations) also many support for this program to success. At the end up our discussion for drill site, Connie (White River First Nations) helps for searching good spot for our drill site. At the middle of excursion Kazu join to us to looking for the site. I deeply appreciate so many people kind us and help us a lot!
At the end of discussion, we drill 8km a way from town. This is a little bit far from town but scientifically very ideal site to monitor permafrost. We hit big massive ice layer between 3.5-4.2m. It must be buried ice wedges.

Upper Yukon River (Canada) trip this week!

2007-04-30T13:46:00.000-08:00

We are going to Yukon Territory, Canada this week for establishment permafrost monitoring sites. Tentatively, we install 6 schools and schedule is following:
May 2 (Wednesday): drill Beaver Creek
May 3 (Thursday): talk Beaver Creek drive to Destruction Bay
May 4 (Friday): Destruction Bay; drive to Whitehorse
May 5 (Saturday): drill in Whitehorse
May 6 (Sunday): Drive to Ross River
May 7 (Monday): Drill Ross River
May 8 (Tuesday): Drill Faro, drive to Carmacks
May 9 (Wednesday): drill Dawson
May 10 (Thursday): Drive back to UAF/Whitehorse from Dawson

Kenny Lake

2007-04-23T09:37:00.000-08:00

I think not many people know "Kenny Lake" even Alaskan resident.
Kenny Lake School is located in the southern part of the Copper River Basin near Chitna.
This is really interesting place for permafrost study.
Last 20 years, permafrost degradations dramatically and vegetation seems changing too.
We would like to establish our program at Kenny Lake School. We try to drill last fall but failed! There is glacial deposit (boulder and clay!) in this area and one of the most difficult drill conditions. The principal (Mr. Carlson), science teacher (Mr. Proch), retired science teacher (Mr. Dave Wellman), and USDA biologist (Doug Vollman) help us a lot to establish site. But we still not success yet. I was there last week to look at potential drill site. But many snow remain and hard to see ground condition yet. Even we do not have snow in Fairbanks!
We will try anyway, once snow gone!

We drill Kotzebue (April 14)

2007-04-17T07:02:00.000-08:00

We met Mr. Ernie Norton (KIC land manager) for Looking for drill site. He suggest area of ice-wedge polygons. Once we got permission, we start drill Saturday morning.

The site has frozen peat, ice and silt, relativity easy drilling and success to install sensors and deta loggers.

Selawik (April 13, 2007)

2007-04-15T16:02:00.000-08:00

We had great time in Selawik. At first, Clyde, US Fish and Wildlife Service, pick us up at airport. He is ideal person for us to meet in village first time. He lived Selawik all his life. He was mayor before and currently he is Trival Concil President. Clyde took us to drive snow machine to the Davis-Ramoth School.
Once we got school principal Pat Parente show school and discuss potential drill sites. Once we eat late breakfast and waiting science teacher finish class, we prepare drilling.

Science teacher, Greg, live here more than 28 years and retired several years ago. However, he is temporary back to school fill in science class today. He is not young however, he has full of energy and passion for science education. We really like to work with person like him.

We had two lectures around noon. Then all of the students went out for drilling. It was cold windy day. But students were fine and helping us very well. Clyde brought EMT tube for casing.

Once we did all, the time was almost up. Clyde picked us up for airport but before then he helped me to drill Selawik River for water sampling.

It was great trip today.