Daily reports from the NorthGRIP-camp - week 27, 2004
Monday, June 28
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| Daily life |
Due to heavy winds and blowing snow today, surface work
again focused on keeping entrances free.
|
| Science |
The HT drill was used with a reamer to drill through the
ice brigde, but because of a failure in the anti torque section, the drill
had to be brought to the surface. At surface it was discovered that the chip
chamber was full of brownish particle slush.
|
| Logistics |
Skiway and taxiways have been maintained by grooming and
half of the fuel storage has been lifted to the surface.
|
Tuesday, June 29
|
| Daily life |
The weather has improved today, making any work at the
surface pleasant.
|
| Science |
The reaming of the hole has proceeded with an additional
two runs, still bringing back a chamber full of gray slush. A logging of the
hole has been performed but unfortunately, the process was interrupted
again by another ice bridge. It has been decided to ream the full depth of
the hole before further logging is attempted.
|
| Logistics |
A new roof on the ramp to the drilling trench has been
constructed, and the flags on the skiway has been checked and repaired. All
store fuel has been brought to surface.
|
Wednesday, June 30
|
| Daily life |
The weather remained good today, making the day enjoyable.
|
| Science |
8 runs have been performed today, the four first with the
reaming head and the others with the standard HT configuration. A lot of slush
has been brought back to the surface in each run. The drill is now able to
penetrate to 2800 meters, passing the two ice bridges and a slush cake.
Gas is released from the slush when it is brought to surface. A measurement
of the amount of gas released is being conducted, by letting some of the collected
slush melt inside a weather balloon.
|
| Logistics |
The snow has been removed from the Red Dome, the Lucht
Kastel and from the front of the main Dome.
|
Thursday, July 1
|
| Daily life |
A blockage in the main drain pipe caused water on
the floor of the toilet and kitchen. It was fixed by cutting the drain pipe
and making a new sewer.
Good weather conditions in NorthGRIP.
|
| Science |
Due to the repeated occurence of ice bridges, the reaming
of the hole using the HT drill has been resumed. The current reaming depth
is 2930 meters.
|
| Logistics |
All skiway flags on skiway are now revised including lead-ins
(to make them visible on radar). The take-off skiway is groomed in a narrow
track for the German Dornier airplane. The Science trench is now ready to
receive cores.
|
Friday, July 2
|
| Daily life |
People can now walk straight in and out of the main dome
after at the snow has been removed from the front door. Still nice weather
in NorthGRIP : blue skies, but low temperatures (-15 C).
|
| Science |
Five reaming runs have been performed today. There is still
ice bridges in the hole. Between 10 to 30 % of the chamber is full of slush
of varying type. All equipment is working fine. Current reaming depth : 3015
m.
The AWI team made a test flight today from Kangerlussuaq and is scheduled
to go to NorthGRIP next week.
|
| Logistics |
The skiways have been groomed.
|
Saturday, July 3
|
| Daily life |
Nice weather at NorthGRIP.
|
| Science |
It has been a dramatic day today : the drill got stuck
during the second reaming run. After trying to pull the drill loose twice,
the drill was left with a cable tension of 1250 kg and frozen glycol pellets
were dropped into the hole. Almost 3 hours later, short before 4 p.m., the
drill came free and was pulled to the surface. This was just in time for
saving the evening's party.
A GPS station was installed west of the main Dome.
|
| Logistics |
Taxiways, apron and Dornier parking area were groomed.
A list of items wanted for next mission period was made and sent to the
FOMs in Kangerlussuaq.
|
Sunday, July 4
|
| Daily life |
The weather is changing with broken ceiling and temperatures
around -10 C.
|
| Science |
4 runs were made today, and no problems were encountered
when pulling the drill up. A lot of hard glycol slush was collected in the
chip chamber. The current depth is now 3021 m. The liquid level was brought
back to 90 m below surface.
The GPS at the NorthGRIP reference point is running and downloading data.
|
| Logistics |
The area around red Dome is now completely cleared from
drifting snow.
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Continue to Week 28
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