Tour of Camp

    I have mentioned in previous journals that I am living in a tent in the Arctic TundraA treeless area between the icecap and the tree line of arctic regions, having a permanently frozen subsoil and supporting low-growing vegetation such as lichens, mosses, and stunted shrubs.. Probably not many people have had this experience so I want to share it with you. It is pretty similar to camping normally. Instead of full outback style camping we are doing more car camping style.

    So as you enter in camp you are greeted by the camp's name which is the name of the Dartmouth group. Also, there is an antler we found and decided to add.

    Camp sign
    This is the camp sign. IGERT is the name of Dartmouth's research group

    The camp is basically divided into three areas: kitchen area, sleeping area, and bathroom area. The first thing you will see when entering camp is the kitchen. It is in an Arctic Oven tent which is basically a really big and really warm tent you can cook in because it has vents.

    The kitchen
    This is the kitchen. The tent is an Arctic Over which basically means it is a big and warm tent that you can cook in

    Inside the kitchen
    Inside the kitchen. Just enough room for four people

    Food preparation area
    This is the food preparation area. Notice all of the spices! Hot sauce is a camper's best friend

    Pots and Pans
    Pots and Pans

    On the outside of the Arctic Over we keep the food and water. There is a lot of food because the group shipped everything they would need (breakfast, lunch and dinner) for three months.

    Water area
    The water area has one container of boiled water and one with plain water

    Want some ice in that water?
    This is how we make water cold. We can just go down to the river a grad a piece of ice.

    Lunch box
    All of the food is divided into meals and rations. This is the first ration of lunch food

    Snack and dessert box
    This box is full of goodies if we need something extra

    The next section we will travel to is the sleeping area.

    The sleeping area
    The sleeping area

    I am living in an orange and gray Mountain Hard Wear tent and it is actually very warm. Most nights I wake up hot.

    In front of my home
    In front of my home

    Next we will head to the bathroom area which is all the way over there...

    On the way to the bathroom
    On the way to the bathroom

    We are getting closer, it is the tall sand dune...

    About half way to the bathroom
    I am about half way to the bathroom. The bathroom is behind the tall dune

    We have a system to tell in someone is behind the sand dune in the bathroom already. If the shovel is up it means that no one is there. When the shovel is down it means do not disturb.

    Shovel marking if anyone is in the bathroom of not
    Shovel marking if anyone is in the bathroom of not. If the shovel is up it means that no one is in the bathroom

    For the bathroom we dig holes in the ground. We also want to be clean so we have hand sanitizer afterwards. What the bathroom lacks in luxury it makes up in views.

    The bathroom
    This is the bathroom. You just dig a hole and do your buisness and then cover it up.

    We wash out hands after the bathroom!
    We wash out hands after the bathroom!

    The view from the bathroom
    The view from the bathroom. It may not be a luxurious bathroom, but it does have a view

    Next, we are going to head back to camp to take a look at my tent.

    Heading back to camp from the bathroom
    Heading back to camp from the batroom

    There are four of us living in this camp right now but soon there will be more.

    The four campers
    The four campers

    Lets take a look at château Dodson

    Outside of the Moutain Hard Wear tent
    Outside of the Mountain Hard Wear tent. This tent is very warm and I usually get hot at night.

    On the outside we have my porch where I store all of my gear.

    The porch of my tent
    The porch of my tent. This is where I store all of my gear

    On the inside the tent has three main areas: sleeping, reading, and dressing.

    Inside of my tent
    This is the inside of my tent. It is divided into three sections: sleeping, reading, and closet

    My sleeping area is composed of a -20 degree sleeping bag and sleeping pads. The sleeping bag is very fluffy and cozy.

    Sleeping area
    This is where I sleep. This sleeping bag is a -20 grade and very warm and cozy.

    My reading area has a chair and some slippers. I also do a lot of my journaling here so I can be away from the mosquitos.

    Reading area
    This is where I read and do some of my journaling

    My pockets in my tent also have a purpose. I have a vanity area where I can use disposable washcloths and brush my teeth.

    Vanity area
    This is the vanity area where I can wash my face and brush my teeth

    I also have a stash of gummy bears by Haribo (my favorite candy) and books (very important!).

    Candy and book stash
    This is my favorite pocket in my tent. This is where I store my books and my favorite Haribo gummy bears

    The next sections is my closet. This area is basically just a pile of clothes. I grab some clothes out of the pile every morning and make sure I grab at least three additional layers I can add through the day. Above the closet is my laundry. My clothes just get stored here until I can get to KISS to wash them.

    Closet
    This is my closet. It is basically just a pile of clothes I grad out of in the morning. I always make sure I grade three extra layers and a pair of gloves, sunglasses, and hat

    It may not always be the most comfortable or warm home, but when I look outside every morning I am always amazed by what I see. It is definitely worth everything.

    View looking outside of my tent
    This is what I get to look at every morning when I wake up and every night when I go to bed

    Strange Fact of the Day:
    So this is not really strange, but I saw a Musk Ox! Hopefully one of many. Sadly, I did not get a good picture, but I proof.

    Back of a Musk Ox
    Not the best picture, but at least I have a shot of a Musk Ox. It is still shedding from winter.

    Author
    Date
    Location
    Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
    Weather Summary
    Rainy and cloudy
    Temperature
    55

    Comments

    Larkin Dodson

    So impressive! So proud of you! P.S. you're crazy:)

    Susan Steiner

    Well, I know you are not, but there sure is a lot of sand! If you think of it, I'd love a tiny baggie of it for my students to look at in the microscope. Your chateau looks cozy, and you are right, the view is tremendous! So, you don't have to worry about any bears coming after your gummi bears?
    nice musk ox; I hope you get to see more!

    Jillian

    Hi Emily,
    Loving the journals, and wonderful insight into camp life. Quick question, are there any bears in your area?

    thanks, Jillian

    Emily Dodson

    No usually….but recently there was an rumor of a polar bear being seen. They show up every couple of years and they are usually in bad shape. They are shot on the spot. On

    Emily Dodson

    I will try to remember the sand. The sand here is beautiful and has so many colors. I don't have to worry about bears eating my gummies, but my camp mates on the other hand...