We just got word, that the Basler will head for GRIP tomorrow afternoon. If all goes well, we should be in Kangerlussuaq around supper time. All in camp, are busy with final packing. Work continues into the evening. Weather today has been the usual dreary overcast with very little surface contrast. We were a bit nervous about grooming the skiway, as it is necessary to see where you go, and in poor contrast you see nothing. Luckily, the weather cleared up in the evening. And right now (23:30L) there is a frenzy of activity outside. Last items are being stacked and packed on sleds and the sleds are pulled to winter storage on snow hills. As closing camp progresses, we are losing amenities. Tap water is off-line, as well as drinking water. The main generator will be shut down and parked on a snow hill. Until we are picked up, camp will be powered by our backup generator in the carpenter’s garage. The whole camp area that has looked like a junk-yard, is very quickly being cleared and begins to look nice and tidy. Let’s cross fingers for tomorrow.

What we have done today:

1. Finishing cargo line.
2. Parking heavy sleds on hills.
3. Groomed skiway and apron for Basler.
4. Closed cook’s snow melter.
5. Snow base of dome finished. We can now walk straight into the dome.
6. Reconstruction of mechanic’s and carpenter’s workshops complete.
7. Plastic sleds empty, cleaned and put into winter storage.

Weather: Mostly overcast, some snow and poor contrast. At 18L clearing up. Temp. -10 C to -5 C, winds 10-2 kt from NW-N-NE and E.

FL GRIP, J.P. Steffensen