Today, for the first time, we did ice observations on the ice itself! We were organized in teams of 4-5 people, and were transported from the ship to the ice with a crane, in a net (like sardines). It was an extremely funny and pleasant process, especially with the scientists in the net making different predictions about the resistance of the net to our weight, wind and other weather parameters. Once down on the ice, our instructor explained to us the process of drilling small holes through the ice, and then under her guidance each of us had the opportunity to dig a hole, take measurements, ask questions, and get samples of ice, which some of us even tasted. We had to watch for polar bears at all times and other people watched from the ship. Although we are always looking forward to seeing them, fortunately today we felt relieved at seeing none.
For me this was the first time to be on the ice in the Arctic Ocean, and it was one of the best experiences of the summer school, and maybe my life. I never imagined that the many years of learning about mathematical representations of the ocean and atmosphere, and of breaking my head over coding those things, would take me one day to study and step on this cold and unforgiving place! As a human being, with the sense of adventure and unbound curiosity that we have, when I stepped on the piece of ice on the Arctic Ocean, I felt lucky and privileged to be there. Meanwhile, as a climate scientist, I couldn’t help but to think about what I know and study – that the climate is changing, that this change forces a retreat of the summer ice pack, which puts in peril this amazing region’s climate and wildlife, and that this place that I see now might never be the same again.
I looked around me one last time and said good-bye to this vast immensity of ice before going back to the net that took us to the ship. As we were going up in the net, happy and packed together like sardines, I felt that the half hour we spent there made all of us realize how precarious the balance is between all the processes in this place. From now on, I’ll see my work being accompanied by a deep desire to understand and preserve this place as it is, so that others can see it and feel what we felt!
– Ioana Colfescu
Thank you Ioana for this article !
I’m very impressed.
Christine (Antoine’s mother)
Hi Christine, I shared your comment with Antoine and Ioana, and got smiles from both of them! Thanks for the comment!
Hi Lindsay,
I was wondering what procedures you go through before you travel through the arctic conditions?
Hi Marlene, the main things to do before you travel is to buy/gather up lots of warm clothes. You have to wear layers to be outside in the cold, and have good jackets, boots, gloves, and hat, and good fleeces and things to wear underneath. Another thing you need to do is bring whatever medication you might need, including stuff for headaches and stomach aches, because the nearest CVS is a LOOOOng way away.
How often do you all see the Polar bears, and do you compete for food?
Hi Chris, we have seen polar bears on maybe 4 or 5 days of the expedition. However, that does not mean that everyone has seen them on all those days. I have only seen them myself on one day. They are usually pretty far off, so we haven’t had close interaction. As much as want to see them up close, we don’t want to compete with them for anything!