Just arrived at Resolute Bay, Nunavut, yesterday. This is presently my first time on Cornwallis Island and also the most northern location I ever went.
Polar Continental Shelf Program Resolute facility is an invaluable resource for researchers working in the High Arctic (15 July 2016).
In fact this place is amazing, seriously, in regard with the logistics provided and their support for our research. Staff from PSCP (Salut Yvon!) were waiting for my arrival with a pick-up truck to help me with my with my gear. The airstrip is conveniently connecting to the Storage and very near the main building so the transition between 'being seated in the aircraft' to 'let's show you your room and the kitchen' was a 10 minutes thing.
Upon arrival I was the only one from my team, the rest of the Spacerocks et al. were still transiting to destination. No worry I was busy; since we will be on Devon Island for up to three weeks, with 10 to 13 persons at once, I had to start looking at the state of the field gear that was left in Gordon's shelf, in addition to what will be provided by PCSP for our stay. So, let's begin by the beginning:
- Tripod, for optical equipments? Check.
- ATV's x4, those Bayou 250? Check.
- The Honda power generator, one 1000W to carry around during the day? Check.
- Another power generator (2000W) for the base camp? Check.
- Tents (Eureka K-2 XT) x9? Check. (more were carried up by the team).
- This field portable toilet? Check.
- and so on...
But there is so much more small and not so small things to check and to prepare and, luckily, the rest of the team will be there very soon.