Two types cellar exist in Savoonga. One is “indoor” like cellar located in the shelter, another one is “outdoor” that is just led on the cellar. these are common structure in Sigluaq communities. And usually it not different in side design of the cellars.

“indoor” type cellar (abandon) made also storage hunger on top.

“outdoor” type cellar, usually making higher surface than surround that protect seeping water in the cellar.

Inside cellar is not like North Slope communities. It’s shallow and small. This is for fermented purpose  of walrus. They hunt walrus in may and storage and fermentation progress until November  with sea ice.

St Lawrence Island is located between Russia and US. But it likely close to Russia because we can see mainland Russia! The Island have two native communities Savoonga and Gambell. It is bad weather today especially Gambell. We could not fly in. So we are visiting another one Savoonga. People is nice, beautiful landscape but extremely windy day!

Big new school is already 1 year old.

Sigluaqs in Savoonga

Video documentary project, Kaji is back now! We are going to St. Lawrence Island today to see ice cellar in Gambell and Savoonga.

Stay tune more info!

I was at Kenai dip netting! yesterday. beautiful weather down there.

Then drive back to Fairbanks mid night then leaving again this morning. Denali is above cloud.

We found ground is still frozen between 50-60cm below surface! Mean ground surface temperature was not too high (+2.2 degree C, +1.5 at cave). So far we could not find permafrost. but if thicker peat layer or highly convective cave could have permafrost!

Cave entrance was covered snow from mid Feb. to mid June! During this period cold air could not enter the cave and maintained above 0 degree C!

Debbie and us are hike to Bogoslav Cave today. She put data logger in the cave last year and trying to download data!

One of my favorite place in AK! people is nice, feel so remote! but food is excellent!

Russian Orthodox Church is typical landmark around southern Alaska, especially Pribilof Islands!

We cannot go to the beach! because Northern fur seal taking spot!

Bird paradise as well!

Of cause, here is the center of the “deadly catch” check point!

I was Valdez until this afternoon. It’s rain, very wet, a lot of rain here! Debbie (St. Paul Island native organization) plan to have summer camp the day after tomorrow! So we drive to Anchorage for flying the Island! Stay tune for the report.

We have a rain and hail in Fairbanks, but it seems good weather at North Slope. Ricky took beautiful pingo pictures near Nuiqsut!

Ricky took beautiful Kaktovik picture. snow is remaining only at snow fence area on the ground.

I have a secret ongoing project. It called human-power high altitude drilling machine! Major parts are two components. One is human body development program and another is hand drill system. This is based from shaft drive bicycle unit!  I could not fined such bike in town, then we order this and taking a part.

Then we attached drill system.

It drill. But…It will brake connection part in the mountain. We still need work to improve this system!

Proto type was failed but this is good start. New things are always need time and energy to develop! Stay tune I will report “proto type II”.