Today, work on the surface was focused on mainly two things: 1) getting sleds and equipment ready for the 2nd traverse, and 2) constructing our carpenter’s garage. Tomorrow, the 2nd traverse will depart for EGRIP site to pick up all our remaining cargo there. This traverse will consist of two Pistenbullys, some empty sleds and a sled with kitchen cabin, tools, food, generator and communication. Florian, Sepp and Sverrir will be the traverse team. On the way, they will visit our American colleagues at Summit Station where they will pick up fuel for the trip. This pick up of fuel has been prearranged with Summit Station. We hope, the traverse will complete a round trip GRIP – EGRIP – GRIP in a week or so. In the meantime, the remaining nine people at GRIP will continue to set up garages, outfit them and begin to fill them with materiel.

What we have done today:

1. Preparing sleds for 2nd traverse.
2. Service on main generator.
3. Laying frame for carpenter’s garage.
4. Assembling garage parts.

Weather today: Overcast all day. Temp. -13 to -9 C, 6-10 kt from SE and SW. Visibility good, poor contrast due to overcast.

FL GRIP, J.P. Steffensen