Big changes today
The Twin Otter with the PARCA crew waves goodbye to NEEM by
Weather changed today. While the day began almost as usual, the weather
changed rapidly in the afternoon. Temperatures increased and clouds with
snow moved in obscuring the Sun and removing all contrast. So far the wind
has not picked up; but we expect it will. By midnight visibility was
reduced to 500 m due to snow.
Because we have very reliable weather forecasts, we knew this weather was coming, and both aeroplanes managed to escape the weather. The Twin Otter left at 13.00 and by 17.00 NEEM was closed for traffic. A close escape! We cannot believe our luck.
During their time at NEEM, both planes and crews completed their tasks without
delay. With the planes and crews away, the number of people at NEEM is
reduced from 27 to 16, so all of a sudden it was much less crowded at the
dinner tables. We wish all the departed people “Bon Voyage”.
What we have done today:
1. Sending off two aeroplanes.
2. Moving frozen food from ramp to science trench.
3. Packing Danish intermediate drill down for shipment out. All traces of
drilling activities in the carpenter garage have been removed.
4. U.S. sonic logging of deep borehole in progress.
5. Setting up German drill system. Final adjustments. Drilling should begin
tomorrow.
6. Cleaning up in the cargo line. Collecting cargo for shipment out.
Weather: Few clouds in the morning, after 17.00 overcast. Temp. - 7°C to - 21°C, 5-12 knots from SSE to SW. Visibility: Morning, to horizon and evening 500 m, snow.
Trevor, Carsten and Simon presenting two drill brothers: Little brother to the left is for dry holes to 120 m, and middle brother to the right for wet and dry holes to 1 km depth (Big brother is in the underground drill trench).
FL, J.P. Steffensen