Planning is Underway

So Much Preparation
With only just over six weeks left before departing for Utqiaġvik, Alaska the to-do list is growing. As you know I am not only an assistant scientist with the IABP team, I am also the public relations officer for this IABP AK Spring 22 Deployment mission. So here are a few things I have been working on and still have to do.
Public Relations Officer Duties

• Schedule Real-Time Science: Arctic Ocean Expedition community library programs in May to share out upon my return
• Draft official press release and send to numerous media outlets
• Draft outreach toolkit to send to the numerous professional networks I am part of to encourage them to follow along with this expedition
• Complete all the required PolarTREC programmatic learning documents
• Set up a NASA GLOBE Observer team/community to curate Land Observer observations from the Utqiaġvik area; and you will be invited to contribute observations from wherever you are as well
• Working with my science team to set up a live stream PolarConnect event from Utqiaġvik for all of you; save the date for, either April 5 or 6 at 9:00 am (mountain time); will confirm soon.

Learn How to Use Equipment

• Become very proficient in the craft of writing these journal posts
• Create a system for naming and cataloging photos and videos I take while in the Arctic
• Practice using my GoPro camera and devise a system for lowering it down the holes we auger in the ice to get footage from under the sea ice (varying depths)
• Practice using my iPhone to make short iMovies and use my new external microphone (watch for some videos to be posted soon)
• Practice manipulating .kml files in Google Earth along with other buoy data to understand the movement of the Arctic buoys so I can explain to all of you how the data is useful
• Practice using a Kestrel Weather Meter and how to log the data with this advanced 5500 model
• Devising systems to keep the batteries warm for all the electronics I'll be using (cameras, iPhone, etc.)

Safety Training and Gear
This week we also had our risk assessment / planning call with the National Science Foundation (NSF) risk management team as our expedition is funded by NSF. After realizing a bit more about just how remote we will be when flying the local SAR (search and rescue) helicopter out on the drift ice, approximately 50 miles from land to deploy environmental sensor buoys, I have opted in for the additional training they offered. Specifically I need to learn more about the following:

• Sea Ice Hazards
• Hazardous Wildlife Awareness at Arctic Ocean
• Working Around Helicopters and any necessary personal safety equipment
• Personal/self rescue on the sea ice and what emergency equipment should be in my backpack on the sea ice

These are wilderness and expedition topics I do not have any practice or experience in; so I will be adding to my toolbox of skills which is pretty neat. So much to learn.

Packing Considerations
I have also been considering all the items I will need to bring. Thank goodness there is a budget for extra luggage. Here are a few things I'm considering (along with many others not listed here) as I'm guessing you're curious:

• no cotton clothing
• warm down booties (slippers)
• hot drink and soup thermos for lunches on the sea ice
• sit pad or crazy creek camp chair to sit on while on the sea ice if I want to sit down and keep my bum warm
• lots of high energy snacks that won't freeze (e.g. nuts, chocolate)
• ice skates - leaving them at home as I haven't yet heard about a Zamboni on the sea ice
• cross country skis - perhaps I'll find a way to bring them... the landscape is flat and snowy, when else does one get to ski on and near the Arctic Ocean?
• ukulele - may bring (it may be easier to bring than the cello) to share some smiles and joy while waiting out stormy days (when not working on journal posts) at the Ukpik Nest 2 pics from NSF, and pics from inside dorm facility
• watercolor painting kit - curious if I'll have the opportunity for a warmish day to be outside and capture the moment with the brush; or if subzero temperatures make plein air painting challenging

My sister was teasing me and asking if I was packing for a climate change impacted Arctic or the old Arctic. She wondered if I was packing a swimsuit and t-shirts or lots of puffy layers and insulated clothes. Her comment made me laugh a bit; yet it is not really a laughing matter as the climate change impacts are at emergency levels for both the landscape and the local people who live and subsist in direct relationship with the land and sea.

Signing Off
Until next time, take good care, post a comment below (question, suggestion, etc.) .

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