Journal

Today we were back in Taylor Valley sampling one of the three sites for the Elevational Transect Experiment. This site is located on the south side of Lake Hoare. I described the experiment and the sampling procedure in my journal on 1-6-17 when we went to Miers Valley. We almost didn't make it out to the field today because of weather. We got in the helicopter at noon and had to turn back because of a storm system. When the helicopter turned around I could see the disappointment in everyone's faces. No one likes to miss a field day because of weather. Two hours later the storm had cleared enough that we were able to try again and we made it to Taylor Valley.

Josh Heward returns from sampling
Josh Heward returns to the helicopter landing site after sampling the elevational transect in Taylor Valley. The Canada Glacier and the frozen Lake Hoare are visible in the background.

Sign bent by strong winds
This metal sign marks one of our experimental plots on the south side of Lake Hoare. The sign has been severely bent by the wind and the surface has been scarred by blowing sand.

Byron Adams in Taylor Valley
Byron Adams calls for a helicopter to pick us up after sampling on the south side of Lake Hoare. The Asgard Mountains are visible in the background.

We have more sampling to do in Taylor Valley tomorrow, so we are spending the night tonight at Lake Hoare Camp. Taylor Valley is an amazing place to work. The views are amazing, I love to look at the Asgard Mountains and the glaciers in this valley. Lake Hoare Camp is located at the base of the Canada GlacierA mass of ice that persists for many years and notably deforms and flows under the influence of gravity. next to the frozen Lake Hoare. When we arrived Scott George and I walked along the base of the glacier and saw a mummified seal. It is so dry and cold that instead of decomposing the animal just dried out.

Scott George hikes along the Canada Glacier.
Scott George hikes along the Canada Glacier near Lake Hoare in Taylor Valley.

Mummified Seal
This seal ended up near the Canada Glacier in Taylor Valley a long way from the ocean. When it died it dried out and mummified rather than decomposing.

Details
Author
Joshua Heward
Date
Location
Lake Hoare Camp
Expedition
Tough Tardigrades
Weather Summary
Clear Skies
Temperature
-5 C / 23 F
Wind Speed
10 Knots
Wind Chill
-11 C / 12 F

View Comments

Comments

Thu, 01/12/2017 - 11:42

Lucy Coleman

Hi Josh-
Wonderful photos you are taking!! The Dry Valleys are so photogenic. You are lucky to see so many different parts of them with your team and experiment! I wonder how many nights you will spend out there, or are you mostly doing day trips?

Have a great time!
Lucy

Fri, 01/13/2017 - 21:09

Joshua Heward

On 1/13/17 9:42 AM, PolarTREC wrote:Hi Lucy,
Most of our trips are day trips, This may be my only overnight trip in
the valleys. Because of weather a one night trip is turning into at
least three nights which is great for me.

Thu, 01/26/2017 - 18:51

Brent

How many mummified animals have you found and how long would you estimate they have been there?

Sat, 01/28/2017 - 20:02

Joshua Heward

Hi Brent,I saw 5 or 6 seals. Some of these mummies are hundreds of years old. Very little decomposition happens because it is so cold and dry. There are typically signs of erosion on the bodies.