Yesterday the first camp crew of 8 (Anders, Bo, Carlos, JP, Jonathan, Sepp, Sverrir and Thomas) were flown to Summit Camp by ski-equipped airplane (an LC-130 from NY ANG, callsign Skier 41), We landed at 12.12L, and with the kind help of the crew of Skier 41 we unloaded two snowmobiles, four Nansen sledges, our polar gear and essential cargo for camp. Summit Camp staff kindly provided us with both fuel and encouragement before we left for GRIP at 13.38L with the 2 snowmobiles pulling 2 sledges each. The almost 30km drive was quite bumpy due to sastrugi on the ice sheet, so we proceeded rather slowly and made a few stops on the way to secure equipment and stretch our legs a bit.
At 15.35L we all arrived at GRIP in good spirits, and found camp with a lot of snow drifts, but as always, the shape of the dome made for easy access. Upon arriving we also reported via satellite phone to Marie in Kangerlussuaq that we had made it all the way. This was of course not a surprise to Marie, who had been tracking us via one of our InReach devices all the way for safety purposes.
In short order the small camp generator was turned on (16.35L), and the first Pistenbully was out of its garage (18.30L) so the tomatoes (small red plexiglass shelters) could be pulled to camp. Camp network and internet was also available well before dinner time. Anders prepared a much welcome hot meal for all of us, and right after this we got our outhouse (i.e., a toilet tent) operational – just in time for the needy! Most people turned in after a long day around 22.00L, and with power and webasto heating established, all floors in our dome where above freezing – if just barely with some +3C downstairs.
After having slept as well/poorly as can be expected given yesterday’s jump from sea level to an elevation of 3240m, we have continued our work on opening camp today, going about it in a steady but measured pace, to make sure our bodies have time to acclimatize to the low pressure here. Nevertheless, we managed to get a lot done, Jonathan and Carlos excavating fuel tanks, the main generator and the 3rd Pistenbully, while JP cleared snow in front of the mechanics garage. Thomas and Sverrir were getting both the Caterpillar and 2nd and 3rd Pistenbully moving. In the afternoon JP started grooming the skiway and apron, while Sverrir, Thomas and Sepp pulled the main generator to the dome and got it connected after clearing some snow in the cable well. In the dome Bo got camp IT and communication systems operational, easing the information flow in and out of camp, while Anders inventoried the medical equipment in camp in between preparing nice warm meals for us all. Not bad for our first full day in camp!
What we did Thursday:
- Flew to Summit Camp and drove with snowmobiles and sledges to GRIP
- Opened main dome.
- Excavated entrance to Carpenters garage with snow blower.
- 35kW generator is now running and supplying camp.
- Made new outhouse.
- Pulled tomatoes to camp from cargo line.
- WIFI and internet operational in camp.
- Weather station and pressure standard operational.
What we did Friday:
- Cleaned drift snow off main generator cabin and fuel tanks.
- Excavated entrance to Mechanics garage.
- Started and moved Catarpillar out of garage.
- Started 2nd Pistenbully and started grooming skiway and appron.
- Excavated and started 3rd
- Pulled main generator to dome and switched to main generator power.
- Started up webcams and started sharing images and weather observations on the web.
- Reinstalled camp server.
- Inventoried camp medical equipment.
Weather today and yesterday: Temp. -21C to -17C Sunny with intermittent snow showers yesterday and cloudy in the morning today with more and more sunny spells during the day. Wind picking up from 10kts to 18kts generating drifting snow.
FL, Bo Vinther
