Operation Phoenix is a GO!

We have finally had some good luck today. We have a new plan to attain our primary science goals and with tremendous support from NSF and CPS, the plan was able to takeoff this morning despite ongoing problems. Yesterday was long and busy preparing.

Neither shipment of missing pieces for the drill made it to Kanger due to volcanic ash, but over the past two days Terry has worked hard to machine the pieces here in Kanger. We are extremely confident the machined pieces will work. Ash has been a serious problem and has delayed the Herc training missions, thus delaying the day that we can begin the traverse. This pushes us closer to typical melt onset dates (around May 4th) which, will render the radar useless. Timing is extremely tight for us to pull this off. Following meetings late last night we have re-tweaked Operation Pheonix. NSF has provided additional funding to twin otter flights to return Terry and Rick to the field this morning. And with luck our new plan could actually obtain a core below 2000 meters, which is the ultimate goal and was all but forgotten after our past misfortunes.

We are now shipping two snowmobiles via twin otter to ACT10-B. Rick and Terry will begin drilling ASAP hopefully finishing by the time we arrive on traverse. Then, with 5 snowmobiles we will have the capacity to pull the 1700 lbs drill along with all other gear to the lowest elevation site.

This plan is not is still subject to weather and ash. Rick and Terry will still have to face forecasted 40 kt winds this weekend. The Herc also must get to Greenland and the Raven skiway must get put in quickly for the traverse to get started soon enough to beat the melt. If we are late and melt begins, we will try to re-schedule our operations to work during the night and sleep during the day.

These weeks have been difficult but we are grateful of all of the support from NSF, CPS, Air Greenland and Ken Borek Air. All of our problems have been out of our control and we have been able to roll with the punches. Good luck to Rick and Terry!