One of the many things that I have learned in this field season is that field researchers live a different daily rhythm than the daily grind we experience. Field researchers are very organized, revisit plans daily but in the end are at the mercy of mother nature. There have been very few times when our team actually followed 'Plan A' ~ today, is no different. Many of us at KISS, are anxious to get home to loved ones. Some people have been here for 3 months; I cannot even imagine how they slept last night. However, our flight home is on the C-130 - the same plane that needs to first go to Summit and pick up researchers and gear. The C-130 was to transport the crew to KISS yesterday - however, fog controls the events of the day. Bottom line, the C-130 left this morning for Summit (2 hours later than initially expected). FOG! We now sit and wait, learning about research, families, hopes and dreams. Today, will be a day of hurry up and wait. Mother nature once again teaching us lessons: Live in the moment, be flexible and embrace patience.

    Date
    Weather Summary
    Foggy and cool

    Comments

    IMSAdrianaJ

    Hi Mrs. Ciarametaro. It looks like you've had a lot of fun on your trip! Looking back on your trip, what do you think your greatest accomplishment was? Also, I was wondering what your least favorite part of your trip was?

    Tina Ciarametaro

    One of the things that is most shocking is the constant sound of melting glaciers. One would expect that being in the remote areas of Greenland, you would experience silence. However, the glaciers are melting so rapidly that you hear rushing water 24 hours a day. There really were no big setbacks -- really smaller situations that caused us to problem solve. It actually was very rewarding to rely on our experiences and create a solution without running to a store.

    IMSHeatherN

    Assuming that the area you have been studying in is getting warmer, how do you believe the temperatures are affecting the organisms residing in the area?

    Tina Ciarametaro

    Amazing experiences occurred daily; however, on the first day when I flew over the Ilulissat Glacier I knew that I had finally reached my goal!

    Tina Ciarametaro

    My greatest accomplishment personally was to push myself beyond my comfort zone. Professionally, I don't think I have yet achieved all that I want to from this experience - I expect at least 2 very busy years ahead of me.

    Tina Ciarametaro

    Greenland! It has been almost one month since I left the field and I miss Greenland terribly. I miss the remoteness, the daily ritual of depending on nature and myself.

    Tina Ciarametaro

    My greatest accomplishment personally was to push myself beyond my comfort zone. Professionally, I don't think I have yet achieved all that I want to from this experience - I expect at least 2 very busy years ahead of me.

    Tina Ciarametaro

    One of my most favorite parts of the trip was living in the field, depending on myself to read nature. I also miss that aspect. I miss the remoteness of the field, the gruesome hikes that were so rewarding at the end and the best water I have ever tasted.

    IMSErikA

    Hi Mrs. Ciarametaro, why is Greenland called Greenland because it has a arctic climate?

    IMSErikA

    What was your favorite part of the trip

    IMSIzzyS

    What was the biggest setback you ran into during your trip?

    Tina Ciarametaro

    We had some technology instruments that measures water depth that would have given us more time to complete other tasks if it was functioning. However, the tool never worked and we relied on old fashion depth finding. It is really important in field research to be able to problem solve and move on so as to not waste valuable time. In the end, we became quite an efficient team.

    Tina Ciarametaro

    The temperature range was from 40-60 degrees and as far as what I ate, read the other blogs!

    Tina Ciarametaro

    The fog was very dense at times. When I was hiking down from the glacier, I could not see my team mate in front of me.

    IMSBenY

    Hi Mrs. Ciarametaro. Now that your amazing trip has come to an end, what was the one thing that was truly amazing? I am sure that is difficult to answer. My second question is what organisms did you see that were able to withstand the frigid temperature?

    IMSBenY

    Hi Mrs. Ciarametaro. Now that your amazing trip has come to an end, what was the one thing that was truly amazing? I am sure that is difficult to answer. My second question is what organisms did you see that were able to withstand the frigid temperature?

    IMSBenY

    I'm sorry that posted twice. I was not sure that it posted correctly.

    Ims Aaron E

    Hi Mrs. Ciaremetaro,Just adding on to Heather's question, if the organisms did die or if they were to grow in enormous numbers, how would it effect that area, or if so the world.

    Ims Aaron E

    Hi Mrs. Ciarametaro,Just adding on to Heather's question. If the organisms were to die, or repopulate in enormous numbers, how would it effect that area, or if so the world.

    Ims Aaron E

    I'm sorry, I didn't see the second page and posted twice because I didn't think that it went through, again, I'm sorry.

    IMSAshleyC

    Hi Mrs. Ciarametaro, How is your trip? What was one of the most interesting animals you have seen on your trip?

    IMSValeriaH

    What is the most exciting thing you did/saw on your trip?

    Imsdaniels

    Dear mrs. Ciarametaro, I was wondering how thick the fog was? And how many feet a head could you see almost clearly?

    Imsdaniels

    Dear mrs. Ciaranetaro, I noticed that your team had a plan A and I assume you had a plan B. I was wondering what the plans were?

    IMSBenB

    Hello Mrs. Ciarametaro,This looked liked a very fun trip and would be fun to join this trip with you. I was wondering how cold did it get when you where there and also what did you have to eat?

    IMSBenB

    Hello again Mrs Ciarametaro,I was also wondering if you had the chanced to go back to Greenland again, would you go?

    IMSTaliaK

    Hi Mrs. Ciarametaro! My first question is if there was ever a point on this trip where you felt you may not make it home? Or was the trip pretty safe and your team was well prepared? Also, I saw that some people had asked if you would want to travel this same trip again. Would you consider applying for another voyage but a different field of study? If so, which?

    IMSJacksonF

    Hi Mrs Ciarametaro! This looks like an amazing trip and a great learning opportunity. During your experiences in Greenland what was the thing that you found most shocking? Also what was your biggest setback on your trip?

    IMSConnorM

    Hi Mrs Ciarametaro. I was wondering what was one of the mosst amazing thing you saw on the trip?

    IMSSamuelP

    Now that you are approaching the end of your trip, what was your favorite or most interesting part of your experience?

    IMSAndrianaS

    What was the most craziest thing you have encountered or seen during your trip?

    IMSAlexR

    hi Now that your trip has come to an end what was your favorite part of the trip? Also what is one thing you miss the most when you were on the trip? see you in septemeber!

    IMSAlexR

    hi Now that your trip has come to an end what was your favorite part of the trip? Also what is one thing you miss the most when you were on the trip? see you in septemeber!

    Tina Ciarametaro

    The vastness of Greenland is overwhelming! So beautiful. We were fortunate that we did not really have setbacks that we could not adjust to; field scientists plan for setbacks all the time. Getting home last night was going to be a HUGE setback, but in the last hour everything fell into place!

    Tina Ciarametaro

    That is such a difficult question! I remember the first time I walked on the glacier it blew my mind away. Seeing the calving edge of the fastest retreating glacier in the world was daunting (it was featured in the movie, Chasing Ice.)
    Each day presented new experiences that were equally impressive and memorable.

    Tina Ciarametaro

    IMSSamuelP,Each day presented new experiences that were equally impressive and memorable. Some experiences were grandiose (riding in the helicopter) and others were more subtle ( the quietness of nature).

    Tina Ciarametaro

    Dear IMSAndrianaS,that is too difficult to answer. The entire experience has been out of the this world, almost like I was in a Twilight Zone.

    Tina Ciarametaro

    Dear IMSAlexR,That is such a difficult question to answer, however, I can tell you what I miss most; the wilderness and the quietness to explore my thoughts.. I am still adjusting to being with people in general, not walking 10 miles a day, having a bathroom/ shower available every day.

    IMSEmilyP

    Hi Mrs. CAfter reading through your Journal entries it looks like the trip was really amazing! What was it like to ride in a helicopter? Had you ever ridden in one prior to this trip?
    Also, if you had the opportunity to do this same trip again next year, would you? Is there anything you would change about the way the trip went?

    IMSHannahH

    Dear Mrs. Ciarametaro,It seems like this trip was an amazing experience for you! Is there anything in particular that surprised you about Greenland... from its culture to its landscape and climate? Do you ever consider doing it again if you have the chance? Along with that what do you think will be the toughest thing to transition back to in Ipswich, and what will be the first things that you will do? I cant wait to hear all about it?

    Tina Ciarametaro

    What I meant to say was "NOT getting home last night was going to be a HUGE setback!"

    IMSAlinaK

    Hi Mrs Ciarametaro.I loved reading about your trip to Greenland. It sounds amazing there!!
    What part of your journey did you find most interesting?

    Tina Ciarametaro

    Dear IMSEmilyP,I had a ball riding in the helicopter - I heard one today going over Ipswich and wished it had landed in my yard. I would definitely do the trip again - I would spend more time getting my legs stronger for the tricky hikes up the cliffs.

    Tina Ciarametaro

    Dear IMSHannahH,I could write a book to the questions you just asked! The vastness of Greenland is very difficult to capture in pictures or in words. Truly a remarkable place. It is very much an island in transition in regards to old/new ways. I will speak more about that in school. I would love to go back - I fell in love with a community called Maniitsoq - I will share pictures in school with you. I really want to have the chance to spend more time with the people - such a fascinating group. I am currently reading , "This Cold Heaven" - it is about a woman who spent a significant amount of time traveling through Greenland. I wish I could do the same. So far, I have had to adjust to darkness and the chaos of a modern town. It has been a bit overwhelming. Each day, seems a bit easier; however, I have dreamed of Greenland each night. A truly profound experience.

    Tina Ciarametaro

    Dear IMSAlinaK,too difficult a question to answer. There were so many facets to my trip; the science, the camping experience, the culture, the landscape, the people, my personal growth, etc. I find that I miss most the solitude to spend time on my thoughts.

    IMSHeather N.

    My computer did not register the above name correctly. This is the correct name for the above comment. Sorry, old computer.

    Tina Ciarametaro

    Dear Heather,I am so glad you brought this up. Keep in mind, that when reports talk about coldest years - it is a regional term. It was a cold spring/summer for Ipswich; however, GLOBALLY the Earth's average temperature was the warmest it has been. The term 'climate change' can signify a regional area - in fact, one projection suggests that if the Earth's overall temperature continues to raise, that the Northeast US and Europe will experience cooler than average temperatures. Other regions will experience more rainfall, etc. I am so impressed that you supported your claim with websites however, I would ask that you research where is the website's evidence for their claims? I quickly noticed on the climate cooling website that they sited regional areas (China dealing with ice) - that is climate change which is a result of GLOBAL warming. Keep hunting for information!!!

    IMSTovahL

    Hello Mrs. Ciarametaro! I'm sorry I have posted before now. I have haven't had access to a computer for a good portion of the summer. Before going into this what were your expectations for this trip in terms of research and how were they different from the real thing? Were there any very problematic moments or days? Last of all are you glad that you took this opportunity and experienced all that you did? I look forward to your reply.