"Final Thoughts" just doesn’t work as a title for some reflective writing about my time on the Kahiltna GlacierA mass of ice that persists for many years and notably deforms and flows under the influence of gravity., because my guess is that I will continue to debrief the PolarTREC experience in my own head for weeks, months and perhaps even years.

    The acclimatization climb on Kahiltna GlacierA mass of ice that persists for many years and notably deforms and flows under the influence of gravity. went beyond my wildest dreams. Since I was traveling to something that was totally beyond my scope of understanding and experience I really had no expectations, only intense anticipation. I really had no clue as to what I was up against. What is real, however, is that I know that my perspective and outlook on life have been permanently changed and the sheer magnitude of Denali continues to take my breath away.

    Change Happens
    It's my belief that you can't stand at a place like this and not be changed in some way.

    Many aspects of the trip are worth writing about, perhaps too many for a journal entry, but I must try. For some of the team logistics began years ago and culminated in the 2013 ice core group. Travel was arranged, gear was managed and moved multiple times, food was purchased, sorted, sorted again and then transported. People were moved and managed. I’ve mentioned it multiple times before, but logistical concerns were huge, and, as I write this, one completed core is still on Mount Hunter and the team is nearing completion on a second. The cores won’t get to Colorado for another few weeks, so there is still much to do.

    I have been home now for about two weeks and personal reflection has been deep and constant. I have shown pictures to many, told stories to even more and have been put on my local school board’s next agenda. The Nobleboro School Board was incredibly supportive and other than Nobleboro students, are getting the first formal iteration of a post trip presentation. Seth will no doubt come to a meeting in the fall, but he is still on Mount Hunter with the drill team. Much of the expedition seems surreal and I have found myself going back to my photos often and pondering everything about the trip.

    Seth peering at Mount Hunter from Windy Corner
    This photo was taken of Seth when he and I climbed from Windy Corner to the small 13,400 satellite peak and had some time to ourselves. Mount Hunter is in the distance. The drill site is on the other side of the summit, but this a significant shot in my mind as it's Seth looking toward the drill site that he was instrumental in locating.

    The field notebook I kept has been a powerful resource as I found a list of possible final journal topics that I began to compile on May 18th. Scribbled beside the list of topics was the note “possible final thoughts/topics?” I really don’t have any “final” thoughts as I write this, because my reflection is constantly evolving, but the list written on May 18th is a good starting point for sure.

    Preparation: this Reconstructing ClimateThe average weather over a particular region of the Earth. Climate originates in recurring weather phenomenon that result from specific types of atmospheric circulation./Ice CoreA cylindrical section of ice removed from a glacier or an ice sheet using a specialized type of hollow drill. Enter the definition here. expedition was all about preparation. Literally six tons of gear were moved to Base Camp and beyond in order to make this million dollar ice core a reality. The trip was 10 years in the making. Even my small role entailed incredible amounts of preparation. Seth made sure that I was properly prepared for an acclimatization climb, he knew my ability and had confidence that I would manage everything well. In fact, when we reached Camp 11,000 and he told me that I met his goal, and if the group didn’t go any higher, then we’re acclimatized properly, I breathed quite an emotional sigh of relief. LIttle did I know at the time that the climb beyond 11,000 feet to 13,400 feet would be the best part of the whole endeavor. I can’t thank Seth, and the rest of the team, enough for the hundreds and hundreds of hour of proper and professional preparation.

    Collaboration: this was truly present in the team and all aspects of the expedition. To each other they are friends, colleagues and compatriots and yet they welcomed two new members as a part of the ice core family. The fact that three Universities are formally tied into the project together speaks to how all of us should work. I know Tim and I were honored to be part of the group.

    Humor: this was a huge part of my three weeks with the team, but never at the expense of another person, never getting in the way of safety and never getting in the way of the goal....getting the ice core from the Mount Hunter Ice DivideAn ice divide is analogous to a watershed divide. An ice sheet divide separates opposing flow directions of ice on an ice sheet..

    Love of Nature: a love of nature, and a respect for the mountain was exhibited by all members of the team at all times. There was also a love of the extreme environment that we were in which has translated to a deep desire to build public knowledge and understanding about climate change and climate history.

    Flowing Clouds
    Seth, Mike and I were awestruck on our descent from 13,400 to camp 11,000 by the clouds FLOWING over the ridge in the background. It was jaw dropping amazing and Mike, who is well traveled in both the Arctic and Antarctic, had never seen anything like it.

    Dedication to Science: this means research science at levels beyond my understanding. Beyond the technical science, however, is the desire to push the content to any and all listeners in any and all walks of life. I was honored to be part of the team and as the cores are studied and conclusions made then I will do everything I can to move the work to as many people as possible in ways that are understandable.

    Dedication to Causes: there are members of the team active in, and dedicated to, environmental and climate change education and action.

    Perseverance: For 28 years working with middle schoolers, with the natural state of the population at times being worried only about what is happening next, it was an incredible experience to be associating with a group that was totally focused on the objective 100% of the time. This ice core has been a dream for nearly 10 years and the people hours devoted to the project number in the thousands, perhaps tens of thousands. The shear volume of work involved in getting a National Science Foundation Grant and then executing the demands of that grant are impressive indeed.

    Hard work: This group of scientists, grad students and others had a work ethic that I have not seen in quite some time. They were tireless. Tons (12,000 pounds) of gear was moved and moved again. There was always something to accomplish and everyone did their fair share with smiles and a 100% positive attitude...except maybe when doing the dishes at Base Camp. At times the work was tedious and that only meant that everyone pitched in until the job was finished.

    I must spend some time thanking people. It starts with Seth. Although I was his teacher over twenty years ago he has turned into that and more for me. He has mentored my own children, he has mentored me and challenged me both personally and professionally when we decided to team up for a PolarTREC proposal last summer. More remains with our work for PolarTREC as he is not even home yet from the drill site. I can’t thank ARCUS/PolarTREC enough for accepting our joint application and providing the funding to make me a part of the expedition. It was an intense experience and along with the Fairbanks orientation in March the best professional experience I have had....and I’m no rookie....

    The team was amazing and I want to thank each and every member. Please read about them in previous Journals and remember that three universities were directly involved and Brad attends University of Washington. Mike, the Driller, needs a special mention. His patient way and philosophical commentary at times were just what everyone needed.

    The Team Minus Ken
    This is the team at Camp 11,000 during the acclimatization climb. From left to right: Mike, Brad, Cam, Karl, Tim, Seth, Dave, & Dom. Thank you team! It was a trip of a lifetime!

    I can’t believe that I did what I did. It remains surreal in many ways. I can’t believe what it has provided me, and as I move forward I can’t wait to get into the post expedition outreach phase of my PolarTREC adventure.

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