Checklists for your checklists…
Preparations are well underway for our upcoming deployment to Oliktok Point, Alaska. I have to say that this particular campaign has really taken things up a notch in terms of preparations. Not only are we bringing a larger airplane (which requires a larger crate, a larger truck, a larger cargo aircraft for shipping… the list goes on and on), but we are also taking a more complex set of instruments to fly on that plane. In order to ensure that we get good quality measurements, each of these instruments has its own entourage of materials — tools, calibration equipment, aerosol solutions, and more. We are also bringing the DataHawks back, which, fortunately fit inside their own relatively compact case (see photo). In total, we will be shipping 7 crates and boxes, the largest of which is over 8 feet long and weighs nearly 400 lbs., along with batteries, laptops and tools.
To make things even more challenging, this campaign will take place during a substantially colder time period than our last campaign in August. High temperatures this time around should be between 0–15 degrees Farenheit. While not terribly cold by Arctic standards, a little wind can still make that very uncomfortable. Therefore, we’ll be bringing a good amount of Arctic clothing with us, further increasing the amount of “stuff” we need to transport. This will result in some seriously stuffed checked luggage!
Fortunately, I have a great team of people helping with these preparations. The team has assembled a variety of equipment checklists, coordinated equipment transport and packaging, and worked to ensure that we are well prepared. Similarly, the US Department of Energy’s ARM program has provided assistance with setting up lodging and logistics at Oliktok Point. Soon, everything (including ourselves) will be on its way and the real measurement campaign can begin! I personally can’t wait to get the good stuff underway in a little over two weeks.
