May 27: Traverse train has departed. Team is now split in two.

So, today just past Noon, the science traverse departed SSW and disappeared in the horizon. The team has now split.

At EGRIP, we are now: Josephine, Louise, Frederik, Paul (109th), Thomas, Mario, Michael, Sepp, Sverrir and J.P.

On traverse: Helle, Susanne, Samira, Christoph, Steff, Kevin, Niels and Anders.

At EGRIP: As soon as the traverse left, we continued the excavation of the base of the dome. The snow is hard, and we have to cut snow away using chain saws. During the day, we made progress.

On traverse: We had good communication with the traverse via several devices. Helle, from the traverse reported that they made 50 km, while running radar and taking samples on the way. An attempt to drill at AWI-B17 in the evening failed, as the generator failed to start. This was fixed in the evening, and they will try to drill again tomorrow.

What EGRIP did today:

  1. Excavating main dome.
  2. Small repairs to equipment.
  3. Sent science traverse train on its way.

Weather today: Sunny and clear. Temp. −25°C to −17°C.  Wind: 7 − 12 kt from WSW. Visibility: Good.

What traverse did today:

  1. Left EGRIP at 13:15 local.
  2. Arrived at WP 030 (75.2540N; 36.8629W) for overnight stay.
  3. En-route: Took 6 snow samples and one liner snow profile. Radars working.
  4. Contact with EGRIP 21.45 local. In-Reach reporting working all day.
  5. Shallow drilling at B17 attempted; but generator failed to start. Will try again tomorrow.

FL, J.P. Steffensen and TL, Helle Kjær

Traverse train ready to depart.
A meta group picture of traverse crew. Left to right: Niels, Helle, Susanne, Steff, Samira, Anders, Christoph and Kevin.
At EGRIP, only the tracks are left.
Traverse kitchen door as fast-food restaurant. Helle is customer.
A lonely outhouse.
Fueling Pistenbully from bladder.