Today’s snowmobile traverse to DYE 2 was rather uneventful at the start, but about 35 km/22 mi in, the team was faced with strong head winds and blowing snow which produced full on whiteout conditions with temperatures hovering around -30˚F. With no visibility of the horizon line for the remaining 60 km/37 mi, they exclusively depended on their GPS… Read More
The ACT-15 science team is packing up camp and traversing to DYE 2 today. Although there is still blowing wind and snow, overall the weather has much improved since yesterday’s whiteout storm. Click on the image below to track the team’s position in real time! … Read More
Communications from Mike this morning initially indicated that winds in the area were moderate and that a traverse to DYE 2 was yet undecided. Four hours later, I learned that weather had worsened significantly and that most of Greenland was shut down to all flights. Winds had picked up speed with near zero visibility. Dangerous… Read More
Another storm with wind speeds at 30 knots is keeping the ACT-15 team held back at Saddle Camp for today and possibly tomorrow as well. Snow drifts keep the team busy shoveling snow off of the tents and entrances. Thankfully they brought more than enough food, so they’re eating quite well. This morning they had a… Read More
Despite a slew of technical difficulties, the science team completed all tasks in one day at Saddle Camp and if weather cooperates, they will traverse back to DYE2 tomorrow! However, Mike said, another round of harsh weather is expected to move in to the area. The good news is, the team is still ahead of schedule.… Read More
News from the Greenland Ice Sheet reveals that the storm has cleared overnight and after about 12″ of fresh snow, the camp is buried in 3′-4′ snow drifts. Once they dig themselves out, the ACT-15 team is traversing to Saddle Camp today after having to wait out the storm for the past two days at… Read More
A text message from Mike this morning informed me that the team is held back yet another day as weather has deteriorated into whiteout conditions. However, winds are expected to calm down later in the day. If weather improves as projected, the team will begin traversing to Saddle Camp tomorrow. Considering that the team has been… Read More
Although weather was windy and a ‘bit’ chilly, about -15˚C (5˚F), it didn’t keep the scientists from completing another successful work day at the NASA-SE site yesterday. Today’s goal is to drill holes in the ice for the installation of compaction instruments, weather permitting. If all goes according to plan, the team will pack up… Read More
A phone call this afternoon from Mike on the ice sheet revealed that the team has completed work at the EKT station; instruments are successfully transmitting data, and they are well ahead of schedule to boot! If the favorable weather trend continues, the team will start their next journey tomorrow towards the NASA-SE site, located at about 100… Read More
Text received from Mike’s sat phone yesterday @ 8:15AM MDT: “Katabatic winds kicked up last night. Stranded at Dye2 til weather clears. Hunkered down, team doing well.” Don’t forget to track the ACT-15 team on the Ice Sheet! To display the trackers (BC19 and BC35) go to: http://datatransport.org/trackers/group/ACT-15 … Read More
