Field Season Preview

I have not received any official updates on the status of the C-17 flight delay. I have heard a little more information regarding the plane and it appears that it is no guarantee that we will fly on Thursday. I was able to get out and do a hike this afternoon. I took a city bus to the Christchurch Gondola, which is the start of the "Bridle Path" hike that goes up and over a pass leading to the port city of Lyttelton. Once in Lyttelton I grabbed dinner and then took the city bus back to Christchurch.

The view looking into Lyttleton from the midway point on my Bridle Path hike this afternoon.

My trip to Antarctic for this field season is for the Antarctic Precipitation System (APS) project. The APS project is a National Science Foundation grant to develop methods to measure precipitation in Antarctica. The measurement of precipitation in Antarctic is extremely difficult due to the low quantity of precipitation and the frequent occurrence of high winds that makes it difficult to distinguish between blowing snow and falling snow (precipitation). The APS project is similar to most NSF funded projects in that it has a three year duration. The instrument systems were installed during the first field season, November 2017, they were serviced and maintained in the second field season, November 2018, and this year the instrument systems will be removed from the field. To no surprise, the removal of the instruments will be a discouraging experience. My plans are to submit a new proposal, in about three months, to renew the APS project for another three years. If the proposal is funded, and it takes about 6-12 months to receive an answer if it will be funded or not, the APS instruments would be deployed again in the future.

The webcam image from the Lorne APS site on October 5, 2019. This site, in addition to the three other APS sites, will be removed this month.

The actual work to be completed during this year's field season is quite simple. We will visit the four APS sites and remove all of the instruments, instrument towers, and power systems. Two of the four sites are accessible by truck and we'll start working on removing those systems about 3-4 days after arriving into McMurdo. One of the sites will be accessed by helicopter and the other by Twin Otter, a small, twin-engine, prop airplane. We have requested to fly to these two sites in the second week of the field season. Any delays, due to weather or flight availability, in getting to those two sites are the biggest uncertainties in this field season. After removing all of the equipment from the field, we will pack everything into crates to be shipped back to Colorado. The one piece that I have not covered is that this field season is going to include a lot of digging in the snow. There is about one to two feet of accumulation of snow every year, depending on the site. Additionally, we learned last year that the APS installations resulted in abnormal drifting around the equipment. In order to fully remove all of the equipment, we will need to dig down to the original installation height. I am already working on efforts to get people from McMurdo to help us with the digging to be done at the four sites.

The difference in height of the snow at the Willie Field APS instrument tower from November 2017 and November 2018.

Since this is the last year for the project, it is also my last known field season in Antarctica. This is my 8th trip to Antarctica and fifth year in a row with a field season. However, in theory, this could be my last trip to Antarctica. I do not have any current or future funded projects that involve Antarctic field work. Given the difficulties in getting funding for such projects, it would not be a surprise if it was my last trip. Then again, I have twice fully left Antarctic field work for 10 years, only to make it back. The likelihood is that I will never know when it will be my last trip to Antarctica. I have always tried to treat each trip as my "last trip" to maximize the experience and to not lose the appreciation of the unique and incredible opportunity I have to go to Antarctica. With trips each of the last five years, including three years in a row at the same time of year, it has made it more difficult to maintain that "last trip" mentality. One of my goals, and challenges, for this field season is to once again maximize the excitement and fun offered with such an opportunity as traveling to Antarctica.

One of the advantages of going to Antarctica for five years in a row is developing a strong connection to the community in McMurdo and the many friendships that have been formed over the years. Each season has its surprises with people and friends that have moved onto different careers. Yet there are also many bonds that are renewed with those that have returned for another year "on the ice". I know that I am looking forward to hanging out with several of these friends over the next month. It is also much easier to navigate the logistics of getting things done around McMurdo when you know who to contact and you are a known face. Spending a month with a community that has become very close is probably the biggest thing that I am looking forward to with this field season.

Getting ready to have Thanksgiving with a group of friends in McMurdo.

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Mega on the Ice - Antarctica 2019

Tuesday, November 5, 2019