This project is supported by a grant from NOAA, Office of Global Programs Charlie Porter, Patagonia Research Foundation and UMaine
Mike Ellis and Scott Mason, Stonehaven Productions, Canada
February 20, 2005 to March 22, 2005
Research conducted by Climate Change Institute members in Antarctica over the past few years has resulted in new theories concerning the role of the Southern Hemisphere in abrupt climate change. To test these new theories and to expand the network of climate information over the Southern Hemisphere we are searching for sites from which we can collect ice cores that capture detailed histories of past climate and environmental change. Our first reconnaissance season will be used to investigate potential ice core sites in the Cordillera Darwin and Southern Patagonian Ice Cap because of the proximity of these sites to our research sites in West Antarctica. For more details, see our project page.
February 20th to the 24th Travel
The team departs Bangor, Maine on Sunday, February 20th flying through Boston, New York, Miami to Santiago, Chili and continue on to Punta Arenas. In Punta Arenas, they catch a ferry to Puerto Williams, the southern most year round settlement in South America.
Journal entry and photos: February 22nd. February 24th
February 25th to 28th
At Puerto Williams, the team will meet up with Charlie Porter and his boat, the Ocean Tramp. They will load gear on the boat and purchase any last minute supplies.
On the 26th the film crew should meet up the rest of the team. They plan to spend a couple of days resting and finishing preparations for sailing.
)
March 1st: Set sail
The Ocean Tramp will sail from Puerto Williams for the fjord of Cordillera Darwin. Expected sailing time is about a day and a half.
click on the map at left to see larger
March 2nd to the 9th
Unload gear from the Ocean Tramp, haul it to work site. We hope to spend about 5 days on top of the glacier taking samples and packing them for shipment. Pack all the gear and samples and haul it back to the Ocean Tramp.
March 2, March 4, March 5, March 6, March 7, March 8, March 9,
March 12th to the 13th
Sail back to Puerto Williams. Unload gear and make arrangements for the return trip.
March 14th to the 21th
Return to Punta Arenas. Make travel arrangements for return. Spend a few days doing reconnaissance for future field work.
March 14, March 15, March 21, Student Questions and Answers