North GReenland Icecore Project - Diary for week 26

Daily reports from the NGRIP-camp - week 26, 2004

Monday, June 21
Daily life
The NGRIP office in Kangerlussuaq has been open now for a week. The first preparations for the field season have been performed and today is the day where the first of the 11 participants arrive from Copenhagen and Albany (USA). Polar gear and equipment has been checked and part of the day has been used to celebrate the Greenlandic national day.
Science
During last week, logging of the GISP II and GRIP holes have been performed. Diameter, temperature and pressure have been measured , among other properties.
Logistics
In Kangerlussuaq, around 9 tons of expedition equipment and food have been received. Moreover, all the communication lines to the camp have been tested and are now ready to use (HF-radio, Std-C, Std-M and Iridium).

Tuesday, June 22
Daily life
The last participants arrived from Copenhagen together with a pretty famous couple (see the pictures section).... Later during the day, sightseeing near the ice cap's edge was organized with the participants.
Science
No scientific activities.
Logistics
The put-in is planned for Thursday June 24th.

Wednesday, June 23
Daily life
The day has been used as day off and the last preparations regarding the expedition's equipment have been made. A breefing regarding the put-in has been held.
Science
No scientific activities.
Logistics
Equipment and food have been packed and is now ready for the early departure Thursday.

Thursday, June 24
Daily life
Meeting time 7:00 at the 109th's Headquaters. After a proper breakfast, the participants are impatient to leave. Departure to NGRIP was planned for 8:15. Landing at NGRIP around 11:30. The temperature was -8 C and +10 C inside Main Dome. The generator and the vehicles were ready in no time, while difficult the conditions for the C-130 were difficult. During its attempt to take off the plane was making 1 meter deep tracks in the soft snow. The pilot decided to wait until 4:00 the following day before trying again. In the mainwhile, the skiway was groomed in order to make it harder and more even. This was a busy day for everybody, and the cook had to thaw more food for the extra guests.
Science
No scientific activities.
Logistics
The first people from Alfred Wegener Institute in Bremerhaven, Germany, arrived in Kangerlussuaq from Germany via Copenhagen . The AWI Dornier aircraft is scheduled to arrive Saturday.

Friday, June 25
Daily life
The day began early at 02:30 when the first weather forecasts was made for the crew of the stuck C-130. Everythings looked fine for the trip back to Kangerlussuaq. At 04:55, the Hercules C-130 succeedsed in take off in the first attempt with the help of the ATO rockets. The day was also used to put up tents and the entrances to the science and the drill trenches have been dug out. Water supply was established in time before the weekly bath on Saturday.
Science
The logger for the drilling hole is being prepared to be sent down to measure geometry, temperature, and pressure as far down into the 3085 meter long NorthGRIP hole as possible.
Logistics
Two weatherports (big 4 person-size tent) have been raised. The access ramp to the cook's freezer has been opened.

Saturday, June 26
Daily life
The successfull put-in was celebrated, after everybody in camp had the mandatory shower. The team enjoyed a nice 3 course menu.
Science
The team is still working on the last preparations of the logger.
Logistics
It was a busy day with lots of outdoor work. The power lines for the nearby tents and workplaces have been established. A parking place has been groomed for the AWI Dornier plane which is coming to NorthGRIP next week. The plane arrived in Kangerlussuaq today and skis are now being mounted. The fresh food has been unpacked in the "fridge tent" (which is actually a heated tent). The last cargo has been pulled into the camp and sorted after being combat offloaded on the apron by the C-130.

Sunday, June 27
Daily life
Things are now sorted out in camp, and everyday life issues begin to become important : more toilet paper is needed and some people now realize that they forgot their clothes in Kangerlussuaq. The FOMs in Kangerlusuaq are working on these issues and will get everything ready for the next plane to NorthGRIP. So it's BAU: business as usual.
Science
The NorthGRIP drilling hole has now been logged down to 2600 meters depth, where an ice bridge blocked the hole. The logging of the hole will continue after this bridge is removed using the Hans Tausen short drill (the HT drill), hoping that no other obstacle prevents the logging process.
Logistics
A new entrance to the drill trench has been made in such a way that the access to the trench can be made through the roof. The snow has been removed from the big cargo sledges. The different entrances and ramps in the camp have been cleared from the drifting snow.

Continue to Week 27