Journal

Our two base camps could be considered polar opposites. Camp 1 sat upon a moraine that was part of a long moraine valley. The camp sat along the high bank of a glacial lake. You could see glaciers miles away. The weather for 90% of the time was fabulous. We were able to make a daily objective of what our goal would be for the day and get it accomplished. Base Camp 2 (Lil' Nug for Avy) is in a deep valley between several tall bedrock features.

IMG_1477.jpg Looking out at Base Camp 1

The weather at Base Camp 2 has made it very difficult to accomplish field research. We landed late on August 11th with an amazing moon rising as we were setting up camp. Hopes were high with the thought of the endless possibilities that this location has to offer.

Moonlight over glacial lake
Moonlight over glacial lake

The next morning treated us to the most spectacular scenery. High cliffs, deep valleys and a stunning blue glacial lake.

First glimpse of Lil' Nug camp 2
First glimpse of Lil' Nug camp 2

Lil' Nug glacier is on the left hand side of the picture
Lil' Nug glacier is on the left hand side of the picture

By midday on August 12th, Tuesday, a weather system blew in that reminded us that we are at the mercy of nature's forces. By dinner, we had gale force winds and rain that lasted at least 10 hours. (Polar Storm Avy)

Wednesday, treated us to a dreary and cool day. The weather forecast called for a chance of rain in the evening, so we decided not to venture too far from camp (we learned our lesson from Tuesday - make sure to read August 12th blog). Fortunately, two of us were able to core the two lakes that sat near camp while a team of two explored erratics nearby. We had been given a weather forecast that Thursday should be rain-free, so we planned on a full day hike to a nearby glacier. By dinner, the drizzle began and it rained continually all through the night.

Looking over at Lil' Nug
Looking over at Lil' Nug

Leading edge of the front
Leading edge of the front

Even in poor weather Lake Qaqatsiaq is spectacular
Even in poor weather Lake Qaqatsiaq is spectacular

Presently, we all sit in Patience Tent (the kitchen tent) waiting for the rain to let up. The wind is building and the rain continues to fall; Polar Storm Christina. Some of us work on Google Earth images, pining over the areas we would love to gain access to, others work on a talk for an upcoming lecture, some do homework and I blog to you.

Jason and Alia waiting out the storm
Jason and Alia waiting out the storm

Nat working on his research
Nat working on his research

The temperature has not gone above 45 degrees F since Tuesday afternoon. For the last two nights, I have worn three top and three bottom layers, 2 pairs of socks, wool mittens and a winter hat to bed all surrounded by a down sleeping bag zipped up mummy style. There are no camp fires to warm chilled hands. If clothes are wet, you wear them to bed so that your body heat will help evaporate the water. Tricks of the trade.

Field research has many lessons to offer... lessons on science content, lessons on scientific methods and techniques, lessons on flexibility, lessons on patience, lessons on limits, and lessons about oneself.

Details
Author
Tina Ciarametaro
Date
Location
Base Camp 2 - Lil' Nug
Expedition
Shrinking Arctic Icecaps
Weather Summary
Cold, rainy, and windy - Polar Storm Christina
Temperature
40 degrees F

View Comments

Comments

Sun, 09/21/2014 - 05:22

Tina Ciarametaro

Dear IMSKayci,we would have a call-in each morning with our field coordinator. It is critical to any research team to have a field coordinator to touch base with each day. She would give us daily weather reports so that we could plan our day (whether it be to hike, or when weather was iffy, we would stay at camp and do core work).

Sun, 09/21/2014 - 05:22

Tina Ciarametaro

IMSKayci,I would go back in a heartbeat (however, I think my family might have a say in that decision.) I found a great little community to retire to - the world is an amazing place!

Sun, 09/21/2014 - 05:22

Tina Ciarametaro

Dear IMSJillian,being able to read your body is really important out in the field. Staying hydrated was crucial and stopping to tend a small blister makes the world of difference. It is better to tend to a small situation that to tough it out. Medical emergencies are very scary in the remote field work that I was part of; you cannot drive to the nearest community and in some cases, the helicopter could not have reached us for days due to weather conditions.

Sun, 09/21/2014 - 05:22

Tina Ciarametaro

AWESOME QUESTIONS!!Despite the weather, we were able to get our samples. Dr. Briner plans for bad weather days each year that he designs his field research. There seems to be a mini climate system over the Greenland Ice Sheet. The polar storms that we were referencing in the blog was simply a weather system that had moved into the area. We named them after members of the team to have fun. Lil' Nug is dear to my heart. I have been home a month now and I want more information regarding that glacier. You are correct, there is a lot of rock near Lil' Nug. The Lil' Nug glacier is basically the 'toe' of a glacier that is dying and has no ability to regrow. I wonder how long it will last. We have some aerial shots of the glacier from the 1950's and 2012. There has been considerable change. The lake that is in front of Lil' Nug is the melt water from that glacier.
A glacier is moving ice that has been formed from accumulations of snow over many, many years.

Sun, 09/21/2014 - 05:22

Tina Ciarametaro

Dear IMSValeria,each camp had such different qualities that I am so glad that I experienced both. The first camp was in the midst of a huge moraine system and our views were amazing. Our second camp was nestle more in a valley and had lakes surrounding us that we explored while we were there.

Thu, 08/28/2014 - 08:37

IMSJillianH

I didn't know that your body heat evaporates wet cloths! What other survival skills came in handy.

Thu, 08/28/2014 - 18:58

IMS

Dear Mrs. Ciarametaro ,The weather up there doesn't sound that great. Despite that have you still been able to accomplish your main goals? Does a polar storm refer to just a storm in that are in that area (or inside the arctic circle) or does that refer to a specific type of storm like a hurricane? The glacier in that picture looked mostly like rock. I was under the impression that a glacier was supposed to be more icy. What exactly defines a glacier and are all glaciers like Lil' Nug?

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 11:11

Ims kaycib

Dear Ms. Ciarametaro how did you get the weather up there, did you go on line or find it your self? Would you go back? Did you have fun? The pictures are great I would love to see more

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 11:11

Ims kaycib

Dear Ms. Ciarametaro how did you get the weather up there, did you go on line or find it your self? Would you go back? Did you have fun? The pictures are great I would love to see more

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 11:11

Ims kaycib

Dear Ms. Ciarametaro how did you get the weather up there, did you go on line or find it your self? Would you go back? Did you have fun? The pictures are great I would love to see more

Fri, 08/29/2014 - 11:13

Ims kaycib

Dear Ms. Ciarametaro how did you get the weather up there, did you go on line or find it your self? Would you go back? Did you have fun? The pictures are great I would love to see more

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 05:48

IMSValeriaH

Which camp did you prefer, and why?

Tue, 08/19/2014 - 12:52

IMSNadjaUL

Hi Mrs. Ciarmentaro! What camp site did you like better based on the surroundings and the weather??

Tue, 08/19/2014 - 16:09

Tina Ciarametaro

Dear IMSNadjaUL,ohhh, that is such a tough question. Whew - they were completely different in physical surroundings and yet we did similar activities in each. The ground was more comfortable at Base Camp 2 but the weather was better at camp 1 and I definitely saw more wildlife at Base Camp 2. I would say that I would go back to either of them. I am actually out of camp now; we are at a science center in Kangerlussauq waiting for our flight home on Friday. I am missing the tundra and I am finding the business of people going about their business rather chaotic.

Wed, 08/20/2014 - 10:17

IMSCameronM

Hi Mrs Ciaramentaro the question I have a question asking what the pattern of weather of the weather was acting like for example (rain,cool,dry)

Wed, 08/20/2014 - 14:13

Tina Ciarametaro

Dear IMSCameronM,The weather has been a bit unsettled. Sun and rain can be experienced in the same day. Average temp range has been 40-65 degrees F. Actually, I have loved the weather because it has not been too hot to hike long distances and I packed clothing gear to keep me warm.

Fri, 08/15/2014 - 05:54

IMSMarthaR

Dear Mrs.C,
I'm sorry that you've run into some tough weather, it must be frustrating not being able to work and research as you would of hoped to. One question I do have is why is your second camp called Lil' Nug? What types of data are you collecting, and are the results surprising to you?

Fri, 08/15/2014 - 11:05

Tina Ciarametaro

Dear IMSMarthaR,Lil' Nug is named after a tiny remnant of a glacier that sits on a mountain edge facing the camp. We had surveyed the area using a map and noted how much smaller Lil' Nug is now compared to a map projection of that glacier that was created in the 1950's.

Fri, 08/15/2014 - 11:05

Tina Ciarametaro

Dear IMSMarthaR,Lil' Nug is named after a tiny remnant of a glacier that sits on a mountain edge facing the camp. We had surveyed the area using a map and noted how much smaller Lil' Nug is now compared to a map projection of that glacier that was created in the 1950's.

Fri, 08/15/2014 - 11:25

IMSSydneyD

Hi Mrs.C, Sorry that you have encountered bad weather. Did you expect this weather prior to your trip, or is this unusual weather for this time of the year? How are you getting your forecasts? I noticed in the pictures, that you have laptops. Are you using the laptops to go to a weather website or do you have special instruments to collect weather data?

Fri, 08/15/2014 - 11:57

IMSColeS

Dear Mrs. C,I have two questions for you. I was wondering how many hours of daylight there are in Greenland? Are they the same as here in Massachusetts? Also, what is a polar storm like? What type of weather is qualified as a polar storm and how intense can they become? Thank you.

Fri, 08/15/2014 - 12:00

IMSTrevorD

If you are using the the internet to post journal entries, how do you recharge the batteries on your devices ? Did you bring a generator because you are in tents and there are no power outlets for you to recharge laptops or phones?

Fri, 08/15/2014 - 16:05

Tina Ciarametaro

Dear IMSTrevorD,we do have a small generator that we bring with us. It is used to charge the laptop, GPS units, camera batteries and saw batteries.

Fri, 08/15/2014 - 16:05

Tina Ciarametaro

Dear IMSColeS,I cannot tell you when the sun rises because typically I am asleep. However, if I remember correctly, I think it is around 2 or 3 in the morning. The sun is currently setting around 9:45pm but it never gets truly dark. We set up base camp 2 between 10-11pm at night and could see everything. When I go to sleep, I zip my sleeping bag up like a mummy so that the light is blocked out (and the heat stays in!)

A polar storm is nothing more than a typical storm - we just named them after the team members in the group. Each time we have a storm, our field research is limited and the researchers have a very small window of time to collect their data; so we need to find a way to add humor to a frustrating situation. To date, my storm as been the worst. Yikes!

Fri, 08/15/2014 - 16:05

Tina Ciarametaro

Dear IMSSyndeyD,We have a daily call-in to our coordinator back in Kanger. It is a check in call to report how we are doing and she gives us the weather update. We call using a satellite phone - the sat phone acts like a modem so that I may communicate to you while in the field. However, it does not allow me to surf the web or access any other internet site other than my email to PolarTREC. The two gentlemen on laptops are the researchers. Nat is working on a talk that he will be giving on August 19th and Jason (lead PI) usually uses his laptop to look at maps of the area.
Thanks for following,
Mrs. C