The new crew is learning fast

The entire  NEEM camp in between snow showers.

Today was great learning day for the new staff, and they caught on well, too. Drilling anchor, Trevor, set up teams. Processing anchor, Bo, organized the science trench, CFA anchors, Simon and Daiana, organized the CFA lab while Christopher acted as an anchor in the CFA gas and isotope lab. Everything went smoothly forward, and now the new people just have to settle into the routine of every day camp life, such as: If you want to take a shower, remember to refill the snowmelter, etc.

What we have done today:
1. Drilling and logging.
2  Processed ice cores: 29 bags, from  3399 to 3427. New crew is learning fast.
3. Measuring CFA. The new crew is learning fast.
  Measured 9.9 m. CFA depth: 1531.75 m
4. Grooming skiway with tiller to remove tracks from yesterday.
5. Making snow cave for freezing samples for pollen.
6. Repair of French laser Picarro for water isotopes.

Ad.1: Drillers report:

Drilling has improved.  We continue with a low pitch of 1.6 mm and have managed a few full runs.  Others are limited to 1.7 – 2.5 meters with penetration problems and apparent clogging of the hallow shaft. The lower part of the pump had to be replaced Monday morning as a second slide screw came loose (the first came loose about 10 days ago). The new “old” pump works well.

Driller’s depth 1954.47 meters.  Logging depth: 1970.10 m

Weather: Overcast with many strong snow showers. Temp. - 7 °C to -3.8 °C, 10 knots from SW. Visibility: unrestricted to ½ mile during the many snow showers.  In June 2009, the maximum temperature was -7 °C, In the past few days this has been exceeded. However, in 2008 we had several periods of warm weather, beginning in the last week of May.

FL, J.P. Steffensen