Building up the traverse train and solving last-minute issues.
As you go down along a check list, there is almost always an issue which pops up. Today, it was the 7 kW diesel generator that continued to switch off by itself after a few minutes. The generator has not been used since it came back from full service at the supplier. We have been in touch with the supplier, and we have some ideas on how to solve the issue. However, it has forced us to consider a plan B for power supply of the traverse train. We have a plan B; but let us see how it goes. A test run of the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) showed that indeed we could find the EGRIP hole and features of the trenches below. This raise hopes that this GPR will find the buried GRIP camp structures and the borehole casing once the traverse party reaches GRIP. On a really positive note, we have now agreed with GEUS (Greenlandic and Danish Geological Survey) that they will give us a ride on their Twin Otter from EGRIP to NGRIP to find the borehole casing there and to extend it. This saves the traverse people from driving 220 km on two snowmobiles to this site.
What we did today:
- Fine-tuning the shallow drill. Now ready for traverse.
- Traverse train now loaded up with materiel from EGRIP to be transported to GRIP.
- Radar deep sounder now ready for first run.
- Measured grid around the EGRIP deep drill site. Found the hole, former workshop, elevator and stairwell.
- Troubleshooting diesel generator for traverse.
- Fuel bladder now ready for testing.
Weather today: Sunny and clear. After 2100L overcast and snow. Temperatures −28°C to −18°C. Wind: 10 kt from WSW, in the evening weak. Visibility: Good.
FL, J.P. Steffensen
