Last 5 years, I had a great opportunity to examine and make many different shape of the custom bit and auger flute. The system itself is not simple because the materials vary from glacial boulder to just pure ice. We try to explain and some test before. You will find following sites:
Different systems:blog from February 2007
Percussion drill bits: Saito, T., and Kenji Yoshikawa , 2008,Portable Drilling for Frozen Coarse-Grained Material. Kane, D.L. & Hinkel, K.M. (eds). 2008. Ninth International Conference on Permafrost. Institute of Northern Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks (2 Vols.), 2140 pp. p1561-1566.
However, frozen silt, sand, and ice is relatively simple and easy to drill. Most of the place in Alaska is luckily these materials. I received many questions about drilling equipments. here is some hint for you.
Auger flute: you could find commercially available small diameter (2″) augers several different places.
a) little beaver (http://www.littlebeaver.com), Little Beaver is texas based company making nice auger system. They have variety of diameter (1.5″ to 16″). Their connection pin system is best for permafrost drilling, however, bits need modify and auger pitch is little too loose for deeper drilling (>5m).
b), Kovacs enterprise, Austin Kovacs makes beautiful stainless steal auger for sea ice research. this auger is very right weight and good pitch and great design of the bit. weakness is weaker joint (nice snap in system though). I am using modified his bit (attached carbide).
c), Jon’s mining auger, Fairbanks local shop owner Jon Holmgren makes nice heavy duty 2 1/2″ auger. This is great pitch and hex joint (but need pin like little beaver, if you connect more than 1 m). Also his pyramid bit is good for multi purpose.
Do not forget ice! Permafrost contain a lot of ice most of the time.
You will stack easy, if you are too aggrieve.
Always nice to clean flute.