Kaktovik

It was busy day! Vladimir and I plan to go to kaktovik for the day trip. but Era Aviation did cancel this flight this morning without reason, even weather was perfect in this morning. Once we try to re-schedule, we figure out we have no day both free same time before snow starting. There is only chance to get there using charter flight today. We negotiate agent, and air company. My favorite pilot Dave help us after his work done in the noon, but he have a something at 7pm. So, we only have option that is  6+ hours mission. We will have 2 hours to work and 2hours one way and return flight time. Vlad and me brought bikes for time saving at kaktovik gravel road.

Weather is perfect! We are so grad we pick today!

Submerged polygons, acting differently fresh water vs. saltwater?!  Nice view around kaktovik

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Beaded channel

Hulahula River

Submerged polygons

Borehole site, getting little windy…

 

longest (deepest) frost tube

Beautiful fall days!! One of my “to drill” lists carried on. It’s Fairbanks Joy school. 2nd grade teacher Melanie asked me to drill deeper for their frost tube. We had a 2m frost tube next of Creamer’s field for Joy school site. However, usually it completely froze to the bottom in  January to February. I know we should make deeper but It was very difficult here on pebble layer there then after several trial, staying around this depth last several years.

At the Creamer’s  field, geese are very active for preparing to south!

I did use diamond bit to drill through gravel layers. I could drill deeper but the borehole wall always collapse and staying around 2m depth. It looks some  groundwater seepage around 2m below ground surface. I used clay to develop stable wall in the borehole around 2m depth, but it not works at this time 🙁

Also almost every time quartz pebble stack in the core barrel (picture above).

I changed method. It’s powerful method!! I use metal pipe for pounding in using 30lb weight. Less than an 1 hour, I made it!

I did success finally as deep as almost 20′  (5.45m). This is deepest frost tube I ever made. frost tube itself get very very long!!

This is dumpster at Joy school. I’ve never seen such colorful one, especially matching great with blue sky. Taking two days to finish at this time, weather helps alot! That was main factor of success!

 

Driving back to Fairbanks

Driving up to Fairbanks most of the time nice weather. here is Denali at Willow.

Fall color at Cantwell, permafrost is only presence at spruce trees colony.

This is church at Nenana I saw newspaper that colorful history:

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church a reminder of Nenana’s early history

Read more: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner – St Mark’s Episcopal Church a reminder of Nenana’s early history

Ferry to Whittier, then Seward, Kenai

I woke up and first things going to Valdez high school to download logger. Then run to ferry terminal at 7am.

On the ferry, Colombia ice field retreating a lots!!!

Sea lions on the egg rocks.

Whittier was former military base during WWII. There are still old buildings.

Secret tunnel entrance!

Looks just house

 

Seward school is elite frost tube schools!! I did check to make sure everything good shape for winter!

Stop by moose pass school

And Cooper Landing school, then download Kenai middle before bed…

 

Fort Greely

It was crazy day! I left Fairbanks little past 7 am. Talking new 3rd graders at Delta Junction.

Then going to Ft. Greely school. This is new school and first time school is in the base!

Very good students!! Impressed! However, soil was I expected… gracier till and outwash… one of the most difficult to drill. finally I finish after 1pm!? Since morning I really keep working!! Before headding to Valdez, I drove back to Delta for eating new place!

It was wonderful! Russian dishes and desert (Pierogi: above).

It was smooth drive and shrubs start turning fall color.
I stop by Copper Center, Kenny Lake then down to Valdez. Once finish frost tube at Valdez, already mid night!

Caribou Poker Creeks Research Watershed (CPCRW)

I was at CPCRW today with Dr. Harada. It was unusual(!?) beautiful day. Mushrooms were growing heavily (because of so main rain this summer?).

We walk to pingo site to download temperature data. You will see pingo (small ice cored mound) at the center of the following picture.

If you want to know more about pingo, Watch Tunnelman episode 4. This is the same pingo that using as open system in the movie.

CPCRW is a lot of research history since 1969. these boreholes were installed in 1985.

Silver (salmon) is back!

Silver Salmon is back to Prince William Sound! They are still out side of Valdez Narrow but thick and aggressive! Women’s fish derby was carried on Saturday, so many women on the boats.

 

Of course fresh ikra (salmon eggs) with the rice. Can you tell difference(?) the ikra between pink salmon(closer right) and silver salmon(farther left). Pink is bigger and mature, because silver was still far (several weeks) from spawning points.