Catlin Arctic Survey back home
Published on 02.05.2011 - General Info
The team took time out from packing up to hold an Arctic royal wedding ‘street party’ and toast
© Catlin's website
On 30 April, the personnel of the Catlin Arctic Survey Ice Base and their kit and equipment have been flown off the Arctic Ocean and returned to the expedition’s starting point in Resolute, Canada.
After two months of field research spent on the ice off the western coast of Ellef Ringnes Island, the staff and scientists of the 3rd Catlin Arctic Survey have left the ice camp they've called home for the past eight weeks.
Here are some excerpts of the press communiqué : "...Their daily routine of maintaining ice sampling holes, taking ice cores, winching samples from the sea, incubating marine life and monitoring experiments is being wound up, and the team are preparing to get field samples safely back to Resolute Bay, Canada.
"Operations staff are also packing up the mess tent that’s fuelled this research expedition, the communications tent which has provided a connection to civilization and are taking down the sleeping tents and bathroom facilities.
Once off the ice, the scientists will return to their respective academic institutions to continue processing and analysing samples, and to publishing their research findings in academic journals..."
The Catlin Arctic Survey n° 3 - 2011
© CAS' website
For the first results and pre analysis of the project, please see the science manager and glaciologist Dr Tim Cullingford statement here. (The main focus of this session of the Catlin Arctic Survey was the analysis of the water flowing beneath the Arctic ice cap).
The explorers (Ann Daniels, Tyler Fish, Phil Coates, and Adrian McCallum) dropped in the vincinity of the North Pole during the week end of the 2 April are still struggling against the ice pack. But they have gone far enough south to be within their target zone for a flight off the ice. We'll keep you informed when they return.
See also an important page of this survey in which team explains why this project is taking place (published on 8 April). Plus the story of the most northerly two-way TV interview broadcast (by CNN) from anywhere close the North Pole.
