It’s a universal truth in polar science. Since the FirnCover team has finished frantically preparing for the field, we’re at the mercy of the weather, the flight schedules, and the priority of other missions. All three have conspired this week and our team is instructed to “stand down” another day. It was originally due to weather, but the morning dawned clear and crisp last night, now it’s Air National Guard mission priorities, which we’ve just as much chance of controlling as the weather. Sigh. Our cargo is packed and palleted, so there’s little to do but drink a coffee, get a bite to eat and wait it out patiently.
But we have little room to complain, it could be worse. Colleagues and friends of ours are currently wrapping up a campaign in SE Greenland, studying the behavior of firn aquifers there. They have been hammered by snow and supply shortages, and have had to scrap many of their science goals.
So minus the wait, our campaign preparations have been a complete success so far. We’re ready to start working!!!
April 23rd, 2015 — NY Air National Guard C-130, Stratton AFB in Scotia, NY
ANG C-130 — En route to Greenland, everyone passes the time to make themselves comfortable.
A quick layover in Goose Bay, Newfoundland for refueling
Besides the webbing seats, some of the crew made themselves more comfortable during the flight.
View from the C-130, just north of the Sukkertoppen ice cap in Sondre Stromfjord, Greenland.
Nunataks over Sukkertoppen Ice Cap, SW Greenland
