Terra Firma

We made it back to Kangerlussuaq, where the river waters had risen and the fjord was gorgeous. There was humidity in the air and the small town somehow seemed a bustling metropolis. Insects buzzed the shuttle bus, we were able to ride bikes and walk around town without worry of windchill or postholing through the top layer of ground.

Lance and I decided to hike over the ridge to reach the end of the season bbq. It was well worth it to stretch the legs and experience browns that somehow oozed vibrancy. The gathering occurred on Lake Ferguson, even though it is frozen most of the year that particular day it was warm and welcoming.










It was a nice end to a summer season in Greenland and a great place to transition before experiencing crowded airports and a climate that is amiable. I am back in the States and currently enjoying free lightning quick internet as I wait for my flight to depart home. The Air National Guard flight went smoothly yesterday and as we departed I certainly felt gratitude for my time in Greenland and the folks who made it possible.

The Final Countdown

Tomorrow could be my final full day at Summit, as far as I am concerned I have accomplished a lot. At the risk of tooting my own horn, I think back on the time here and I feel a sense of accomplishment. Most importantly, all the instruments are operational for ICECAPS, I learned how to skate ski - making it to the end of the skiway and back in under an hour, and have learned a lot about living on the ice with valuable field experience.

I'm headed back to Madison, my amazing wife, and family to be. I've had time to digest becoming a father and am excited to take the leap. Who knows what the future had in store, but I certainly know I'm ready for green trees, warm breezes and a vibrant fall. I will continue to use the data from the Microwave Radiometers for retrieving temperature profiles and cloud properties, building for my Masters thesis.


As the temps drop to well below ten or twenty below, the summer is certainly ending. It wasn't the warmest, nor the most exciting, but I've had time to reflect on the past, prepare for the future and learn from the present. I am fortunate to be return to people I love and a program I truly enjoy. The sun has set but I'll always remember my time on thick ice.

Friends

If the fog clears this morning, the turnover crew will arrive today marking the start of my last week at Summit. It will be a busy one of calibrations, installations and preparations for the winter. It's been an awesome experience this summer and the people that run the station are dedicated and extremely competent at their jobs. Most have experience in Antarctica and seem to enjoy the small numbers here in Greenland as many have reclusive tendencies.

It is a unique situation, in that you are in close quarters with fellow Summit Campers with no place to go. I arrived halfway through the summer season while most of the core group has been here since April and know each other very well. With any extended living situation this can become knowing each other too well. Yet disregarding the insignificant gripes and small things that can add up to hit a nerve, this group is a well oiled machine that does their job with a humble efficiency and laid back congeniality.

While everyone isn't BFFs there is a sense of respect and camaraderie that accompanies working in this Arctic environment. I'm lucky to have been paired with such quality folks this summer, making my job that much more straight forward. There is no need to worry about power, water, food, and repairs are abundant with the recent arrival of the carpenters.

Living in such tight quarters I cannot help but get to know those around me and I've been happy to make what I consider to be new friends that I wouldn't have meet otherwise. Cribbage has been the staple card game at Summit with some friendly poker sprinkled in. The latest game to hit the scene was horseshoes which turned out to be harder to play in the snow than in sand. Travis, who has to be the most entertaining personality here, and I paired up for a round of horseshoes in which he did get the game's lone ringer. It is usually all or nothing with that fella, as evidenced by my sweet haircut courtesy of Travis. I told him "a little off the ears" but was surprisingly happy with a new mullet.

Good Eatin'

The Big House is a versatile place. We have morning meetings there at 8am, there are movies to be watched, games to be played and most importantly food to be eaten. Q is a master chef, able to create any type of dish from Thai dishes to NY style pizza. It has been a pleasant surprise to be able to eat so well at Summit. Last night we enjoyed Duck with pineapple rice and s'mores cake for dessert. Every night it takes a lot of will power not to keep going back for some more.

We rotate "house mouse" duty, which entails a lot of dishes and generally keeping the Big House clean. The dish pit can be pretty daunting but it is certainly worth the work in order to enjoy the fruits of Q's cooking.

Dusk and/or Dawn

The sun has been up since I've been at Summit. We are situated above the Arctic Circle at a latitude of 72 degrees north. I prefer the current situation of sunlight 24 hours a day rather than darkness for 24 hours, even though there is no glowing moon and the stars are masked by the scattered blue light of the sky.

Although there are still some tasks to be done the sun is setting on my time here at camp. Last night the sun dipped to the horizon for the first time and even though it still won't get dark for a while it was a welcome gesture. All the instruments are currently collecting data at the MSF (knock on wood) and in a week and a half my replacement arrives for turnover. We have some changes to implement to prepare for the winter so the last week will be very busy but Brad has been here before so hopefully the transition will go smoothly. Right now as I wait for the turnover crew to arrive I definitely sense the twilight settling in.