What it’s like to be in the Arctic – Lindsay in the Arctic

The checklist for this expedition is not your simple to-do list. All the cruise participants have received a booklet of everything we need to know, including a checklist of what to bring and prepare for. I know that many of the scientists who will be onboard have been on expeditions like this before, but I also know that many (including me) have not. It’s a big document, but here’s just a few of the many things I found interesting…

Clothes (outdoor) – parka, over a jacket, over a base layer, windproof snowpants , steel-toe non-skid winter boots (to work near heavy equipment and to be out on the ice)
Clothes (indoor) – wool socks, flip-flops for the shower, swimsuit for the sauna onboard (“an excellent means of recreation after staying a watch on the deck, or after working out at an ice-station”)
Medications – for headaches, colds, sinuses, sunburn, and of course for motion sickness (a little nervous that it’s labeled “very important”)
Language – laundry is available, “with instructions in English nearby” (remember this is a Russian vessel), an interpreter is onboard to help (but we should “learn a few Russian words” to speak to the crew)

Sunscreen, flip-flops, motion sickness, multi-lingual environment… and this is for the Arctic, not Miami!

Throughout our cruise, we will literally be traveling around the top of the Earth. Take a look at the map of our expedition – imagine you are looking down on a globe at the ocean just north of Europe and Asia.

What might that environment look, feel, smell, and sound like?
What are we trying to learn by being here, observing, making measurements, taking samples?
How does the Arctic affect global climate? How does the global climate affect the Arctic?
Who are the scientists that get to go on such an amazing adventure?

Come along with us on our Arctic adventure, as we try to learn more about this amazing environment – how we affect it, and how it affects us.

TRY THIS INTERACTIVE MAP!

For now, even though we’re not there yet, have a look at the map and photos below. Each photo’s caption gives its latitude and longitude. Find the corresponding locations on the map below, and click to see videos of what those places look and sound like. (I’ll tell you later about these places using all the senses – the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feel.)

Post your question or comment below, and I will reply!

map_observations_arctic

svalbard — At 80 degrees north latitude and 20 degrees east longitude is Svalbard, an archipelago 60% of which is covered with glaciers. It’s home to polar bears, reindeer, and lots of seabirds. Depending on our route we may not get close too this area, but maybe we will see some of these animals?

Bell Island2184_RJ — At roughly 82 degrees north latitude and 60 degrees east longitude, we will come near a group of islands that is only accessible over a few weeks in the summer by ship. If you want to visit the islands, you’ll need a special permit from Russia.

Laptev-Sea-located — At 82 degrees north latitude and 130 degrees east longitude, it will be wide open ocean. With normally below freezing temperatures, it is frozen over most of the year, and is partially clear in August and September. Sadly, there is less and less ice each year, so we definitely want to understand this place.

Siberia.A2001186.0045.1km — Check out this satellite image of 80 degrees north latitude and 160 degrees east longitude. Here we’ll almost be to the other side of Asia. The East Siberian Sea is home to severe climate conditions, low water salinity, massive ice fields throughout most of the year, and is one of the least researched areas of the Arctic Ocean. Good thing we’re going there.

Category: What it’s like to be in the Arctic

Checklist – Steel-Toe Boots and Flip-Flops

Try This Interactive Arctic Map!