I just received a 97 page manual for my trip to the NEEM field camp in Greenland. This document begins with the history of the camp and the ongoing research. It explains that NEEM means** **North Greenland Eemian Ice drilling. I can’t wait to see the drilling! The manual also includes the 100 team member roster, the schedule for the 2009 field season and a picture of the camp. 
I must admit after reading many pages, the information that caught my eye was about food, water and shelter. I know we sleep in large red tents. The manual says, "Beds will be either bunk beds with foam mattresses or foldable beds.” What? Did it say beds?!!! I was so excited to read about sleeping in a bed. Then I read, "In May and early June temperatures in the quarters will be below freezing.” The red tents aren’t warm after all, but it is good news about not sleeping directly on ice.
I have learned from scientists who have been in the field in Greenland that it is very dry and drinking a lot of water is important. So where do we get all that water? On page 40 it says, "Drinking water originates from a marked area. So never drive or walk through this area or contaminate it with any body fluid.” (Good idea!) "Drinking water will be produced in the cook’s snow melter. Refill it with snow from the marked area when there is room in the pot to keep a steady water supply in the camp.” So no worries about water! I think our drinking water made from snow will be clean and plentiful. 
The more I read, the more I wanted to talk with someone that had been to the NEEM field camp before. One of the students at CReSIS, Thomas Overly, had actually help set up the camp and build the permanent tents. He was a wealth of information! He had suggestions on clothing and gear to bring with me that I hadn’t thought of. One of his suggestions is to bring 2 Nalgene water bottles, one to drink out of and one for a hot water bottle for your feet in your sleeping bag . The hot water is available in the weather port where the cook prepares the meals. He said it is actually warm in there and you can take your coat off! Yes! 
The NEEM team has a cook which makes most of the meals so now food isn't a worry either.
There are many medical tests to take before they will allow you to go to the field camp. Tomorrow is my last test. When I am not at work, I have been buying warm clothes and reading as much as I can about Greenland. There can be some really bad storms so I have to be ready. Only a few more weeks until I am there in my long underwear, something my students giggle about… 
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