Leaving in a whiteout

No, we are still here but Andrew and Lesya left this morning. They'll be on the 1930 train....if they make it into town. After three days and nights of a ground blizzard - i.e. severe blowing snow - the roads just keep getting worse and it was decided this morning to take them and Sharon and Patsy out this morning at 1000. They were preceded by Dave in the front loader who was running interference for the first 5 miles until they got to the paved road where the town should have it somewhat cleared...

We did just get word that they made it into town and that the group of 21 high school kids from Saskatchewan will be able to be bused out to join the 3 folks here for the North of 58 program. But the weather has been so bad that many of the planned activities are on hold. You must respect the weather and more up here... 

The kids got here and were quite happy with "real food" after surviving on microwaved train food for two days...."I ate a cheeseburger out of a plastic bag", I heard one say.

This video really doesn't due justice to the wind and blowing snow and the wind noise which has been unrelenting for the past 3 days....yet the high schoolers from Saskatchewan did go out in it for an hour or so, the bear helicopter is not flying, and the sun is shining through the clear skies overhead as best it can. Taking aurora pics has been difficult as though the skies are clear, they are veiled by the first few hundred of feet by the blowing snow (the Inuit must have a word for it).

The old dining room 2010

Yesterday we took a tour of the old building that we stayed in during our 2010 polar bear tour. We are so spoiled in the new building!!! And when you hear stories from the researchers who have been here over the years you really appreciate the new building at this time of year - stuffing pillows in vents to the frigid air and snow don't come in, bears in the kitchen and freezer. BTW, based on a limited data set, polar bears will not eat tofu according to one of the researchers - but they did consume just about everything else from the freezer leaving the block of tofu with a single bite taken out of it. This might somehow prove useful in deterring polar bears...let me know if you try it. The old building still has its uses although much has been stripped out. It still houses the water supply which has to be trucked in during the winter every few days as well as the fire suppression water supply. I don't even want to think about a fire drill here much less a real fire. And the old sign was still up and running...

In the Arctic Hallway of the old building - a skinned wolf carcass

I'll be trying to get some more posts out before we head out on March 21 but...

We've been having lights every night although last night's were somewhat clouded by all the ground fog, i.e. all the blowing snow. But overhead you can see no upper level clouds so will have to wait for this wind to subside before we can get any more good pics.

Leaving you today with this time interval video shot by Dave Marx an instructor from the photography class - it's only a few seconds long and consists of about 150 pics - and a pic by Jim Halfpenny. Dave and Jim and the class participants were very kind to share their pics (some awesome ones) and videos. I need to work on attributions when I update this post...

And this picture of the inukshuk at the Churchill town beach by Jim Halfpenny who has been teaching a photography course up here for over 20 years and also in the Yellowstone area and many other places - click the prior link to see his offerings and more..

At the Churchill town beach, March 2013 by Jim Halfpenny

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood

A fantastic day up here. Only -2F and barely a breeze so it feels like summer almost. Took a long walk and easily worked up a sweat so doffed the mittens and opened the jacket. Linda has today off and has gone off snowmobiling. We did to a quick run to the package store yesterday - another $120 down the hatch! Drinking problem? Nah. Some of it was for others. Some of it.

Last post talked about things to come and they are! We've had three consecutive nights of lights with each night better than the last. The second night there was a burst of moving lights above our heads which only lasted for about 45 seconds but was great for those of us outside to see it or up in the inside dome. Unfortunately, the camera was set on a 20 second exposure which was way too slow for what was happening and fumbling with gloved hands (it was darn cold outside) prevented me from getting any shots. But it is something to remember - and a reason for some of you to take the journey up north some day. Then, last night, I went out a few times, got some nice shots including some "curtains" but then went to bed about 1030 as I had morning KP. There was some commotion in the hall, however, shortly after that which usually means either a bear is in the building (LOL) or the lights are getting good again. So Linda went out with the camera but once again gloved hands fouled our shooting as she messed up the focus and didn't get what turned out to be very nice energetic lights - I saw some other folks' pictures.

Pressure ridge and faint blue line above it showing a lead of open water which can generate fog

Oh, well. There is always tonight and so far the sky is looking good. Although I have morning KP again tomorrow, I'm going to try to get in a nap and set up an intravenous line for coffee in the morning.

not a great pic but shows a little curtain dropping down

 Tomorrow, Monday, the Tundra School high school students are going to shoot off their model rockets which is appropriate as this is an old missile range where they did, among other things, aurora research. More on that tomorrow with all the pics I took today of the old range buildings as I walked out to replace a geocache I had borrowed (was waiting for a nice day to replace it).

Hope to have better pics for tomorrow - you really need to experience it for yourself! And hope to have some missile shots, too.

WOW - preview of things to come?

Yesterday another group arrived hoping, of course, to see the lights. As self-styled experts we gave them all kinds of solicited and unsolicited advise emphasizing that you can't trust the weather (cloud) forecast and that things can happen - fast - at any time. Sure enough! Sometime after 8 a moderate display began which on your first night is always amazing. THEN, Bang! For about 30 or 45 seconds a patch of lights above us went bonkers! Moving fast, every which way, reds and greens and in the confusion and awe you could imagine other colors. But our camera was on a 20 second exposure and by the time I could reset it things had gone back to normal. Drat and other expletives. But just seeing it was fantastic and what with the coronal hole on the sun their is a chance we will be experiencing the same and better Saturday night. There were a few clouds around last night so some of the pics I got (haven't downloaded them from the camera but will soon and will update this post or put them in the next) showed the lights with "texture". So, in anticipation, I leave you with our ever vigilant vagabond volunteers viewing the vistas for vivacious vacillations...

Andrew and Lesya on their snowpile viewing station

Off season excitement, zombies, and lunacy

Just a short post of a couple of Youtube videos that took place at the old building up here. This time of year it is unlikely that a polar bear will happen by - although our two researchers Pete and Steve who snowmobiled south about 150 km did come across two the other day - but, hey, you never know. But the staff does let us roam by ourselves and even at night without protection. But it is spooky. Especially when I was out one night taking pictures and Lesya, another volunteer, said, "Hey, there's something moving out there." Turned out to be Andrew our other volunteer.

Lesya and Andrew

Anyways, these videos took place at the entrance to the old facility...

Stan's video 1

Stan's video 2

And, in what should have been a MST3K movie for sure, check out "Ice Man" if you can find it. It's a 1984 film about the discovery of a frozen Neanderthal that comes back to life and is filmed mostly at the CNSC using the rocket range buildings. I do have a copy of it I'll be bringing back but you probably have better things to do - although you MST3Kers would love it.

Tonight we will be invaded with 40 cub scouts for the night!

Also should mention that we went to the Polar Cinema in town last Saturday to see "Warm Bodies", a zombie love story that was pretty hilarious. Recommended.

Hoping for lights tonight as it has been a bit cloudy last couple of nights. Although we had an excellent orange (some say red) near-full moon rise last night... I think Linda has a better pic which I'll substitute below some time. Most of the sunrises and sunsets are spectacular, too.

Moonrise and reflection off frozen pond

Moon a little higher and frozen reflection

Churchill Hilton.....NOT!

Somehow I have to play catchup with all that is going on. So, in no particular order, I will start to do that. I should mention, however, that Linda is doing a very nice job on her blog keeping it up to date and with much more pertinent information than in mine so check her's out at auroraoverchurchill.tumblr.com (We aren't quite sure how to subscribe to hers, though. It might be through the RSS link on the menu. Let us know if you are successful and how you did it! Thanks).

So, we spent the night at the Churchill Hilton Quinzhee. This brand new facility had it's grand opening just last week. I can honestly say I have never stayed in any place quite like it.

Note the warm glow of the fireplace emanating from the front door.

There is ample security from intruders once the doors are in place for the night but we were advised that in case we needed to vacate quickly a barred door would be open all night. Living space was quite ample as long as you didn't need to stand up or stretch too much. And the indoor toilet is a feature found in only the most posh Churchill establishments.

Bellhop service was available to bring your gear into the hotel.

Unfortunately, internet and TV service had not been implemented although the air-conditioning appeared to be working quite well.








All in all, the Hotel Quinzhee was an unforgettable stay. Oh, and here is a picture of the ultimate in bathroom amenities when the option is to put on boots, snowpants, jackets, and mittens...

A day at the beach, night in an igloo

I will finish this later as the lights are coming out - you probably won't get a second notice so you'll just have to check back in a day or so. - Brian

Seems like there is just no time to write - between washing dishes, gettng in and out of cold weather clothes, loosing sleep to the Northern Lights, napping, sleeping, and all those little things that are time sinks...so, sorry if I haven't been posting too much. This will try to be a catch up post although I'll probably forget a lot that maybe I'll post later.

Northern lights - yup, they've been out almost every night although we have had a few cloudy (ah, sweet sleep) nights. But enough nights that the groups coming up are happy with what they've seen. The last group, in fact, was basically camera-less (you can't count iPhones - they just won't do it). The lights are very ephemeral and often by the time I've got my cold weather gear on or at least most of it (hard to run a camera with mittens so I usually just have my glove liners on and pay the price) they have changed shape, intensity, subtle color, and motion. But then if you wait a bit, they're ready for an encore. If you haven't frozen by then.

Last night was basically windless although the slightest breeze is definitely felt. The Road Scholars stood in wonder just gazing while I snapped off about 65 fair pics. With the 6 to 8 second exposure I am using it is possible to get pics with identifiable people posing in front of the lights - if the hold still and are willing to put their backs to the lights: I'm still perfecting this technique.

Road Scholars watching

Stars are in focus so blurriness in NL due to its movement

That's me with the devil eyes

Next subject is EarthWatch. This particular group, with members (ranging in age from 21 to 65) from New Orleans, Holland, India, Belgium, Japan, Turkey, Russia, Canada, USA(two from New Orleans), Scotland, United Kingdom, and Germany, is investigating climate change effects on snow packs and tree recruitment. Much of this research has been going on, at established stations, for over 12 years by new EarthWatch teams each year under the guidance of Peter, Steve, and Luanne. The tree recruitment is especially interesting as Churchill is just above the tree line so changes can be documented. The snowpack data gathering can be quite labor intensive especially when the pits or cores get to be 1 meter or more - and then there is all the determination of layers, temperatures, water content, etc. Washing dishes in a warm building seems like a preferred alternative. They go out usually twice a day being hauled in komatiks (see pic below) by snowmobile. If the windchill isn't high enough, being pulled in a snowmobile makes up for it! I am hoping to survive my upcoming ride in one.

Komatik sleds used to transport gear and people, These are used

 by EarthWatch

EarthWatch getting ready to head out - twice a day in any weather which means darn cold

One of the old rocket launchers. CNSC wants this one preserved and I agree.

RustyBear geocache easily found attached to back of sign.

Entrance to quinzhee with snow block door

Paul cutting blocks of snow

Trimming the blocks to size with machete

Igloo bricklayers

Tim exiting quinzhee

The quinzhee stove was red hot

 

Irene showing off her bangcicles

Brian auditioning for Laugh In

Considering how much we have spent at the liquor store, I should be the poster child for Operation Red Nose - the program to not drive home drunk.

Green Valentine Day

Well, red is still the color of Valentine's day, of course, but it is the green (and hopefully reds) that are consuming us. It's about 9 PM, temp is -13 with windchill -33 with clear skies so we are hoping for a show although the space weather - yes, we follow it at SpaceWeather - doesn't show a big show so far but it does change quickly (check the top graph and what we are hoping for is a large separation between the red and white lines to put it simply). We were told tonight that what we saw last night was about a 5 out of 10 so I guess we have a few more weeks to see some really spectacular sights.

Guess what they have in the grocery store in Churchill and what Linda got me for VD day?

I don't know whether to eat them here or try to smuggle them through US Customs.

Linda is off to see if there are any lights although Starman can be depended to sound the alarm. She's also checking the lounge to see if the TV is free for us to watch Love Actually.

Tomorrow we work our shift together and it doesn't start until 1:30 - we can sleep in!

And I need to check with Tall Dave to make sure I am included on any trips to town or to at least get in my order for the package store or whatever quaint term they have for it here.

Here's a little known factoid: Churchill Northern Studies Centre is rated as one of the top places to fend off a zombie invasion. Mull that one over. Maybe it's because polar bears like zombie meat? Who knows?

Hoping for the lights but wouldn't mind a good night's sleep...