Today, both our water systems were set to operate. We now have running hot and cold water in taps, a laundry machine active, a shower, a dishwasher, drinking water on tap, and our soda machine is running. How wonderful.

We are unloading all cargo from the traverse train, as some sleds will return empty to EGRIP site on the next traverse, which will leave in a few days.

Just after we arrived at GRIP our new Pistenbully (which has caused us much head ache and money) began acting up again. It could not pull anymore. Our mechanics, Florian and Sverrir, worked on the machine until late last night. They were quite sure, it was a fuel supply problem, but which pump, filter or fuel line was not performing? They changed filters, they even swapped fuel pump with Pistenbully no.1. It did not help. Finally, with some consulting from Europe the malfunction was found: A pressure valve in the fuel supply was too weak to create high enough fuel pressure. It was fixed by putting a washer underneath a spring in the fuel pressure valve. Then the Pistenbully worked for two hours, before they had to remove some obstacles from the fuel line. Now, it works. Swapping of pumps with PB no.1 generated air in the fuel system of no.1 so it took time to start this machine again. However, all three PBs are now running. We are so lucky, that this happened after we arrived at GRIP and not on the traverse.

What we have done today:

1. Making dome fully functional with water systems on.
2. Repairing Pistenbully no.3 and no.1
3. Unloading heavy sleds with garage parts.
4. Completed first stage of marking out camp.
5. Making berm for Mechanic’s garage.

Weather today: Overcast all day. Temp. -12 to -9 C, weak winds from N turning SSE. Visibility good, poor contrast due to overcast.

FL GRIP, J.P. Steffensen