http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/ Catling Arctic Survey en-gb Copyright 2010 Catlin Arctic Survey http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/rss.xml Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:36:05 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/images/logo.png http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/ http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=175 Catlin Arctic Survey Tue, 18 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=175 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=174 Catlin Arctic Survey, Ocean Acidification Tue, 11 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=174 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=173 Charlie talks about the physiological effects of a long expedition on the Arctic Ocean Mon, 10 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=173 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=172 Catlin Arctic Survey, Ocean Acidification Fri, 07 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=172 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=171 Ocean Acidification, Catlin Arctic Survey Thu, 06 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=171 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=170 Catlin Arctic Survey, Ocean Acidification Wed, 05 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=170 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=168 Catlin Arctic Survey, Ocean Acidification Sun, 02 May 2010 10:40:17 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=168 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=169 Catlin Arctic Survey Sat, 01 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=169 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=166 Catlin Arctic Survey, Ocean Acidification Fri, 30 Apr 2010 08:46:19 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=166 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=165 Catlin Arctic Survey, Ocean Acidification Fri, 30 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=165 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=163 Catlin Arctic Survey, Ocean Acidification Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=163 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=164 Catlin Arctic Survey, Ocean Acidification Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=164 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=162 This is one of the strangest places I have ever been We are hundreds of miles north of the nearest village and just 700 miles from the North Pole There are just six other people here with me If we have a major emergency we could be in a very perilous position We have an igloo We have midnight sun So in some regards this is the most isolated, remote place that I have ever been Indeed, one of the things I was looking forward to about coming here was the sense of solitude And yet, despite my regular efforts, it is very rare that I feel isolated here Wed, 28 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=162 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=161 Just like on land, the ocean food web starts with plants The main difference between land and ocean plants is that ocean plants, called phytoplankton, are microscopic All plants, including phytoplankton, rely on the sun’s energy to photosynthesise During photosynthesis they take up CO2 and nutrients from the water to make organic matter and release oxygen Over the entire world’s oceans these tiny plants contribute half of the oxygen that goes into the atmosphere, which we need to breathe Because phytoplankton need sunlight, they are usually found in the surface waters of the oceans, from the surface down to about 50 meters Tue, 27 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=161 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=160 Charlie talks about his involuntary dip in the Arctic Ocean, when the sea ice he was travelling across gave way beneath him Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=160 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=157 Alastair Humphreys, Communications Manager at the Ice Base, ponders some of the things that he hasnt seen since being on the ice Sun, 25 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=157 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=156 We asked the Ice Base team what their best bit of kit was, what their luxury item was and what apart from friends and family they missed when out on the ice Sat, 24 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=156 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=159 The second and final resupply for the Explorer Team touched down in the early hours of Friday morning Ann talks about the effect resupply has on morale Sat, 24 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=159 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=155 Catlin Arctic Survey Fri, 23 Apr 2010 09:34:33 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=155 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=154 Catlin Arctic Survey, Big Brother Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=154 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=153 Catlin Arctic Survey, Ocean Acidification Thu, 22 Apr 2010 10:55:54 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=153 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=152 Catlin Arctic Survey, Ocean Acidification Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:26:39 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=152 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=151 Catlin Arctic Survey, Ocean Acidification Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=151 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=150 Catlin Arctic Survey, Ocean Acidification Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=150 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=148 Catlin Arctic Survey Mon, 19 Apr 2010 09:20:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=148 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=147 Catlin Arctic Survey Sun, 18 Apr 2010 10:43:32 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=147 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=146 Catlin Arctic Survey, Ocean Acidification Sat, 17 Apr 2010 09:17:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=146 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=144 Martin describes an epic day on the Arctic Ocean and one that makes all the tough parts of the expedition worthwhile Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=144 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=145 Last night, for the first time in my life, I slept in an igloo The product of the snow engineering skills of myself, Mr Ramsden and Russell Atagootak, the igloo is currently the pride and joy of the Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=145 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=143 Ann gives an update on the Explorer Teams designated science day Thu, 15 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=143 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=142 Today was our seventh main sample day of the trip That means we’re over half way through our science expedition Time seems to be flying by, especially now that we’ve settled into a routine which seems to involve a lot of eating So what is a daily routine for a scientist out on the frozen Arctic Ocean about 600 miles from the North Pole Well it always begins with a struggle to get out of our sleeping bags, made up for by a nice cup of tea and a good hearty breakfast of porridge and pancakes After breakfast the daily routine depends on if it’s a main sample day or whether it’s a “lab” day Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=142 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=141 Ann Daniels, describes the dramatic ice conditions the team have encountered over the past 3 days catlin arctic survey Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=141 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=139 Ann Daniels, the expedition leader, gives a detailed account of her day in the life on the Arctic Ocean Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=139 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=140 It has been a busy first week for me out here at the Ice Base As well as the variety of my usual jobs I somehow ended up volunteering to cook curry for everybody tonight Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=140 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=138 A news crew has been ‘embedded’ at the Ice Base over the past week Bits of equipment that work perfectly well in a normal environment have a habit of packing up in the extreme cold Here they list the best and worst bits of kit they used Sun, 11 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=138 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=136 Russell, our Inuit Guide, has built an inuksuk to look over us here at the Ice Base The word inuksuk literally translates as ‘to act in the capacity of a human’ and they are among the most important objects created by the Inuit, who were the first people to inhabit portions of Alaska, Arctic Canada and Greenland Sat, 10 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=136 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=137 Ann describes how the team came to be marooned on an island of ice, surrounded by ice too thin to swim across but too thick to swim through Sat, 10 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=137 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=135 Catlin Arctic Survey Fri, 09 Apr 2010 11:51:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=135 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=133 Catlin Arctic Survey Fri, 09 Apr 2010 11:19:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=133 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=132 Catlin Arctic Survey Thu, 08 Apr 2010 10:58:43 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=132 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=129 Catlin Arctic Survey Tue, 06 Apr 2010 12:33:50 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=129 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=128 Catlin Arctic Survey Tue, 06 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=128 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=126 Charlie talks about the unusual surface features the Explorer Team have encountered on the expedition so far Mon, 05 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=126 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=127 A rare Arctic wildlife sighting this morning the Easter Bunny paid a visit Our polar guide, John, wearing a pair of fetching pink rabbit ears on top of his wooly hat, hopped into the mess tent as we were eating breakfast Ceri, Helen and Laura were delighted with his offerings of Cadbury’s Crème Eggs Mon, 05 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=127 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=125 Catlin Arctic Survey Sun, 04 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=125 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=124 Catlin Arctic Survey Sat, 03 Apr 2010 15:18:19 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=124 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=122 Catlin Arctic Survey Sat, 03 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=122 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=120 Catlin Arctic Survey, Glenn Cooper Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:16:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=120 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=123 Catlin Arctic Survey Fri, 02 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=123 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=119 Martin talks about both the excitement a resupply brings but also the frustration of often having to play the waiting game Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=119 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=117 The storm at the Ice Base gives the Communications Manager the opportunity to carry out some interviews with both the Ice Base staff and the scientis Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=117 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=118 We’ve made good progress northwards over the past few days, so I’m happy to report that morale is excellent Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=118 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=115 Charlie talks through the daily routine for the Explorer Team on the Arctic Ocean Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=115 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=116 I’m normally in a clean and warm laboratory when running experiments to look at the effects of changes in environmental conditions on the physiology of marine invertebrates Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=116 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=114 There is a bustle about Resolute Bay today The new team is preparing to fly out to the Ice Base to replace the current logistics team Simon, the Ice Base manager, will be replaced by Paul Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=114 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=111 The Ice Base Chef, Fran, talks about the challenges of keeping staff and scientists fed and watered in an environment as remote and challenging as the Arctic Sun, 28 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=111 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=113 A couple of bitterly cold days out on the has prompted Ann to talk about the importance of food on the expedition Sun, 28 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=113 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=110 I find myself in the town of Resolute Bay, along with the other 2nd Phase Ice Base staff, waiting to relieve the hardy soles that have been out on the sea ice for the past 2 weeks Sat, 27 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=110 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=109 Catlin Arctic Survey, Ocean Acidification, Scientific Research Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:38:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=109 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=108 Catlin Arctic Survey Fri, 26 Mar 2010 09:58:40 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=108 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=107 Catlin Arctic Survey Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:44:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=107 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=106 Catlin Arctic Survey Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:45:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=106 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=105 Catlin Arctic Survey Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:28:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=105 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=104 Catlin Arctic Survey Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:13:18 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=104 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=103 Catlin Arctic Survey Tue, 23 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=103 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=100 Catlin Arctic Survey Mon, 22 Mar 2010 16:26:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=100 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=101 Catlin Arctic Survey Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=101 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=99 Catlin Arctic Survey Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=99 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=102 Catlin Arctic Survey Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=102 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=112 A couple of bitterly cold days out on the has prompted Ann to talk about the importance of food on the expedition Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=112 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=97 Pen Hadow, Catlin Arctic Survey Director, describes how, once the comforting heat and noise from the explorers stove is switched off of an evening, the Arctic night, and cold, begins to close in Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:55:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=97 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=95 Catlin Arctic Survey Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:29:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=95 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=98 Catlin Arctic Survey, Ceri Lewis Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=98 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=92 Catlin ARctic Survey Today was not the best of starts for a cook in the high Arctic Having arrived at the mess tent I found Simon wrestling with our snow melter heater which turned out to have gained some overnight ice in the wrong spot Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=92 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=94 Catlin Arctic Survey Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=94 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=96 Catlin Arctic Survey, Pen Hadow, Polar Explorers, Arctic Ocean Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=96 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=91 Catlin Arctic Survey Today we headed out from the Ice Base to create the hole through the sea ice for our sampling site We set out on a beautiful sunny morning in a westerly direction and walked about two kilometres across the ice We then spent the next eight hours trying to dig a one metre square hole in the sea ice This was quite a feat as the ice was 15 metres thick This hole is vital for our research, and so we were all on a mission to get through to the sea beneath the ice Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=91 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=90 Catlin Arctic Survey Well, it’s 0638 local time and we’ve just spent our first night on the floating sea ice Although it’s been over 300 days since we were last on the Arctic Ocean, it somehow feels like we’ve never been away The drop off was completely smooth, with the Twin Otter landing on a refrozen lead of water We did have to deviate from our original proposed start point around 85ON as we spotted too many cracks and unfrozen leads as we flew over Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:53:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=90 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=87 Having worked in the comms business for longer than I care to remember, I thought I knew a thing or two about the art of conveying information But the soundbites, witticisms and lyrical waxings required in the dark world of advertising and promotion are next to useless when it comes to being Duty Comms Manager now that the Catlin Arctic Survey is underway The role of Duty Comms manager falls to one member of the wider comms team every week Along with the Duty Director and Duty Operations Manager, we are the first line of contact for both the Ice Base and Explorer Teams With the unpredictability of the Arctic environment, it means being on call 247, not only to undertake daily updates with the personnel on the ice, but also to be ready to react should anything untoward happen Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:21:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=87 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=93 Catlin Arctic Survey After a run of seemingly perpetual bad luck with weather delays and nonavailability of aircraft, Simon Garrod, Harald Kippenes and Ian Wesley flew to the proposed site of the Ice Base yesterday afternoon After a nearperfect landing on the frozen surface Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=93 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=89 Our first week in the Arctic has been a busy one Mostly we’ve been learning how to survive and work in the incredibly cold and challenging conditions of the High Arctic, under the supervision of our Norwegian polar guide Harald Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=89 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=88 This week I’ve not only been taking part in the training programme for the scientist, which consists of familiarising ourselves with equipment, the cold, living in tents and safety while we’re out Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=88 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=86 After a long first day in Resolute yesterday, Chip presented to both the scientists and Ice Base staff about the role of communications in the safety structure of the expedition Satellite phones, Sol Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=86 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=85 There wasn’t much time for our new team of scientists to bed in to life in Resolute Having arrived last night at around 1930 local time, they met the Ice Base and explorer teams and then settled into Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=85 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=83 With less than 100 hours before the Ice Base team deploys to the ice, the focus today has been very much on kit checking, from cutting foam tent floors for the sleeping tents to packing the medical equipment Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=83 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=82 Today, the Explorer team has been concentrating on sorting through the mountain of gear prior to packing the three sleds One of the key areas is food Each daily ration contains upwards of 6000 calories per person That’s more than double the number of calories recommended by the UK’s National Health Service for an average man, and three times the recommended calories for a typical woman Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:14:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=82 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=81 The equipment that the two teams will be taking with them looks the same on paper, but in practice the type of kit and the quantity of it is very different Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=81 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=80 The first full day at South Camp Inn has been spent reclaiming part of the mountain of stores that has been accumulating at Resolute airport over the past couple of months Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:06:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=80 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=78 Excellent weather in the region enabled both teams to fly to Resolute today Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=78 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=79 Both teams have taken full advantage of the enforced delay at Iqaluit, using the time profitably to recover from jet lag, catch up on sleep, and do some last minute shopping Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=79 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=76 Catlin Arctic Survey Blog Post Unpredictability Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=76 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=74 Science protocols – check Kit and Clothing – check Freight packed and sent – check Website put live – check Physical, medical and science training – check Umpteen other things – check Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:27:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/blog.aspx?postId=74 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=133 The first phase of the Catlin Arctic Survey 2010 has now been completed. After 60 days on the ice conducting vial research into Ocean Acidification, the Ice Base scientists are now back at their labs undertaking further research into the seawater samples and microscopic marine life that they, and the Explorer Team, retrieved from the Arctic Ocean. For a summary of the story so far, watch the brief video below. Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=133 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=132 The Arctic plays a vital role in the planet’s health: not only do changes to its vulnerable environment act as an early-warning system for potential changes across the Earth, but its sea ice plays a vital role in keeping the polar regions cool and moderating our global climate. As such, the fate of the Arctic sea ice has been the subject of much research and debate in the last few years. Is the sea ice extent shrinking or expanding? Is it getting thinner or thicker? And how can we even get a clear picture of what’s happening at the farthest reaches of the world? Here we outline how sea ice data is gathered, and what the current consensus is amongst the scientific community. Mon, 17 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=132 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=131 The homecoming for our Explorer Team at Heathrow Airport began with an emotional reunion for family and friends. After so long away, Martin Hartley, Ann Daniels and Charlie Paton are resting and acquainting themselves with what’s happened in the world since they left Britain in February to begin the expedition. There's a lot for them to catch up on too.....and these are just a few highlights: Wed, 19 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=131 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=126 Described as three of 'the world's toughest' explorers, Ann Daniels, Charlie Paton and Martin Hartley reached the Geographic North Pole at on 12th May, ending a grueling 60-day trek across the floating sea ice of the Arctic Ocean. The Catlin Arctic Survey expedition's headquarters in London were contacted at 20:05 hours (BST) to confirm they had completed their final scientific data capture on very top of the world. Wed, 12 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=126 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=125 The explorers are now just under ten miles from the North Pole; fingers crossed they make it there during today’s travel, undertaking their final scientific research at the top of the world. But did you know that the Arctic is actually host to two North Poles? Here’s a few facts about the geographic North Pole to which they’re headed, and the magnetic North Pole, that lies around 600 miles south of the team’s current location. Wed, 12 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=125 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=124 Having spent 59 days on the Arctic Ocean the Explorer Team are putting everything into the last few days of the expedition. The team are exhausted but determined to continue covering as much ‘ground’ as possible. They have now conducted their penultimate day of scientific data-gathering and are hoping that their final sampling will take place at the North Geographic pole. Tue, 11 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=124 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=122 Each member of the Explorer Team is pushing their bodies to their physiological limits. A combination of the extreme temperatures, huge sledge weights and the smashed up and chaotic terrain of the Arctic Ocean mean that Martin, Ann and Charlie have been working on a calorific deficit of about 4000 calories per day for the last 58 days. They are consuming about 6000 calories per day but expending anywhere up to 12000 calories. Mon, 10 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=122 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=121 Pen Hadow describes Martin Hartley as ‘Absolutely bombproof in the polar environment’. It’s easy to see why when you consider that Martin’s ‘day job’ of documenting the expedition has to fit in with surviving the extreme temperatures of the Arctic Ocean, sledge-hauling across its surface and helping conduct the scientific research. You would have thought that all these factors would compromise the quality and quantity of the photographs that Martin takes – absolutely not. Sun, 09 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=121 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=120 Regular visitors to this website will know that the Comms Team are constantly posting blogs, new images, video and update stories to keep followers of the Catlin Arctic Survey up to date with the latest from the ice. But what you may not know is that the survey has captured the imagination of the global media, appearing online, in the press, in magazines and even on television! Sat, 08 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=120 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=118 Imagine being chilled to the very bone; where every step brings pain and discomfort; where there is no way of getting respite from a permanently aching back; where hauling a sledge twice your body weight is like dragging a car with the handbrake on; and where, despite trekking for over eight hours in the type of biting winds that feel like being relentlessly pecked at by invisible crows, you are getting nowhere. Literally nowhere. Fri, 07 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=118 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=115 Since explorer Ann Daniels is closer to the Pole than the Polls today, she is casting her vote in the British Election by proxy from the Arctic Ocean, which allows a trusted individual to vote on her behalf. As the picture shows, enterprising support staff rallied to take her forms to complete when they organised the expedition's re-supply flight. With a makeshift 'Ballot Box' hastily put together, they were able to offer Ann the privilege of voting in what must be 'the northernmost polling booth in the world'. Thu, 06 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=115 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=114 At this stage of an expedition, with 24 hour daylight having permanently set in, life for the explorers can often be like “living in a milk bottle”. For photographer Martin Hartley, the incessant whites and lack of the rich blue and peach-orange skies from the rising or setting sun, can spell professional ennui. It was with some surprise, therefore, that Martin was offered the perfect photo-opportunity yesterday, as the iridescent turquoise of the Arctic Ocean began to seep up through the ice, literally at his feet! Wed, 05 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=114 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=113 Moisture-management, durability and wind-resistance are the key factors when choosing the correct clothing system for a lengthy expedition on the Arctic Ocean. Tue, 04 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=113 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=112 The explorers have recently faced some of the most difficult ice conditions of the expedition so far. As Ann explains, “We’d had a very tough day. There was very poor visibility, the terrain was mashed and broken with high piles of rubble and lots of interlocking open leads. And then, at the end of day we entered a place that looked like Armageddon – just ice smashed to pieces everywhere, and then finally a huge lead that, even at its narrowest, was 65 metres wide.” Mon, 03 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=112 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=111 One of the key pieces of scientific data the explorers are collecting out on the ice is the ‘conductivity, temperature and depth’ at different points of the Arctic Ocean. The measurements are taken with a CTD probe, which is used by oceanographers to determine the physical parameters of the seawater. Sun, 02 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=111 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=110 There are many places you might choose to wake up on your birthday, but freezing your proverbials off in a tent in minus 20 degrees wouldn’t necessarily rank highly for the sane amongst us. But that’s how Charlie Paton, one of our three explorers, started his 40th year on Earth, right at the top of it on a piece of floating sea ice. Fri, 30 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=110 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=106 The Ice Base is now no more after 40 days on the floating sea ice. Rather than try and describe what life has been life for the team out there, we thought we'd leave it up to Al Humphreys, the Communications Manager in the second phase of the expedition, in this, his final blog..... Sat, 01 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=106 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=105 Yesterday saw the last day of science taking place at the Ice Base, as the team prepare to pack up ready to be airlifted off the ice tomorrow, weather permitting! At the time of writing, the science tent had been taken down (watch the video below) and preparations were underway to pack up camp today. The Ice Base has been in situ for just 40 days, and in that time has played host to six scientists, five journalists, three polar guides, two chefs, two ice base managers, two communication managers, one Inuit guide, one passing Japanese skier and an extremely lovable polar bear guard dog. Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=105 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=104 The Ice Base reported an abnormal occurrence at the weekend: it rained. Wed, 28 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=104 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=103 Those following the Catlin Arctic Survey closely will know that one of the key areas of research being undertaken is the potential impact of ocean acidification on copepods – a species of tiny crustacean that is vital to the marine food chain. Tue, 27 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=103 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=102 All of our field team members (Explorers and Ice Base) have, so far, avoided the effects of frostbite. As the expedition moves into its latter stages and the temperatures rise, the risks from frostbite diminish but by no means disappear. Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=102 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=101 Rod Macrae, The Head of Communications for the Catlin Arctic Survey has just returned from a stint at the Ice Base. Rod has no ‘Polar’ experience and would be the first to admit that he was slightly apprehensive about spending time on the Arctic Ocean. From the comfort of a hotel room in Ottawa he’s had a chance to reflect on his time at the Ice Base. Sun, 25 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=101 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=100 Even the uninitiated will know that sea ice plays the single most important role in proceedings on an Arctic expedition, offering, as it does, the surface on which our explorers travel, and camp and providing the virtually salt-free meltwater with which they make drinks and their rehydrated meals. So how exactly does this polar ice ‘cap’ form, and what of the different features the explorers have to overcome on a daily basis? Sat, 24 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=100 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=96 Following the final Ice Base resupply, the new scientists who arrived have had a while to settle in and have started the research that will prove so important to understanding how greenhouse gases may be affecting our oceans. Steeve Comeau, a French scientist in his final year of his PhD at the Pierre and Marie Curie Institute in Paris, is studying the impact of ocean acidification on pteropods. These are lentil-sized snails that form a vital link in the marine food chain, whose shells are expected to be highly sensitive to changes in the ocean’s chemistry. This could have potential impacts on the larger animals that rely on them for food. Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=96 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=95 Our Ice Base scientists are currently working on a series of experiments to determine how microscopic crustaceans, vital to the marine food chain, may respond to increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide absorption by our oceans. Scientist Dr Ceri Lewis, explains: “Within only a few decades, an increase in ocean acidity may cause seawater to become corrosive to the carbonate shells of the smaller marine creatures that are so abundant in our marine ecosystems, with potentially serious consequences for both them and the larger marine fish and mammals that rely on them for food.” Thu, 22 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=95 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=91 The team at the Ice Base witnessed their very first 24 hours of daylight yesterday, a phenomenon that only occurs in the Polar regions. The midnight sun occurs as a result of the plane of the Earth's equator being tilted 23 degrees and 27 minutes to the plane of the ‘eliptic’ - the apparent path of the sun through the sky. Anyone living along the Arctic Circle will only experience 24 hour daylight for a single day, on the Summer solstice (around 21st June). Anyone stood at the North Pole could experience six months of unbroken daylight, from 21st March, if they were prepared to stay around long enough! Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=91 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=86 The last few days has seen the Ice Base crew build an igloo at camp, creating an extension to living quarters capable of comfortably sheltering up to three people! The word ‘igloo’ comes from the Inuit ‘iglu’, which traditionally means any type of shelter, not just those made out of snow. But for the inhabitants of Earth’s coldest regions, where other building materials were hard to come, the construction of this quick and cost-free snow option flourished. Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=86 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=85 Whilst waiting for the resupply plane that was due to bring two new scientists to camp, the team at the Ice Base were very surprised to see yet another unfamiliar face yesterday – that of Japanese skier Yasunaga Ogita, who arrived on foot! Ogita, 32, has walked solo and unsupported from Resolute Bay to the Ice Base. It has taken 37 days to haul his 115kg sledge the 575km distance between the two points, and after such an arduous journey, he was more than happy take full advantage of the food on offer care of chef Malin. Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=85 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=73 Both our ice teams have enjoyed relatively temperate conditions out on the ice these last couple of days, with the Ice Base at -18 degrees Celsius yesterday, whilst the explorers were basking in an almost tropical (for them) -10 degrees Celsius. However, conditions can change pretty dramatically out on the Arctic Ocean, and as news reached us that one explorer has had to end his solo expedition due to hypothermia, we were reminded of the difficulties of keeping warm in the Arctic. Sun, 18 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=73 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=72 Change is afoot once again at the Ice Base as the final set of scientists (Steeve Comeau and Oliver Wurl) are waiting in the wings at Resolute Bay ready to be flown onto the Arctic Ocean in the coming hours. Steeve and Oliver will be replacing Ceri and Laura, who have both been there from the start. Sat, 17 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=72 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=65 Today Ann had her first un-scheduled dip in the Arctic Ocean. With the amount of thin ice that the Explorer Team have been crossing over the past few days it was inevitable that one of them was going to get wet sooner or later. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=65 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=64 The Explorer Team battled 40 knot winds today that made their designated day of science more challenging than it is normally. Thu, 15 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=64 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=62 Getting people to an area as remote as the Arctic Ocean is difficult enough. Setting up a fully operational scientific base is a huge logistical challenge. Everything from the specially made insulated tents, to the toilet rolls, to the food, to the science and communications equipment have to be sourced, tested, freighted and then assembled at the far end. Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=62 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=61 The enforced rest day that the Explorers had a few days ago seems to have re-invigorated them. Yesterday they managed a full days trekking as well as a full compliment of science. Today they travelled their furthest distance to date, over 13 KM, despite encountering more chaotic ice conditions. Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=61 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=58 Cooking in the Arctic is certainly a challenge. The preparation begins months in advance. The Ice Base chef has to work closely with the Operations Team to plan exactly what kind of food to order and in what quantities. All the food for the Ice Base I bought thousands of miles away in Ottawa. It’s then flown on three separate flights, for a total of ten hours, to get to the base. Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=58 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=57 It’s been an eventful few days for the Explorer Team, courtesy of some extremely dynamic ice. Following their narrow escape from the crack in the sea ice that threatened to swallow up them and the tent, they now find themselves effectively marooned on an island of ice, unable to travel in any direction due to surrounding ice that’s too thin to walk across but too thick to swim through. Sun, 11 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=57 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=54 Our Explorer Team had a rude awakening on Thursday morning when the ice pan on which they were camped started to break up. Sat, 10 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=54 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=53 Having spent over half their allotted time at the Ice Base, our scientists are well on the way to gathering the data they need to determine the likely effects of increasing levels of atmospheric CO2 on the Arctic Ocean. Laura Edwards, of Bangor University, who has been there since the start of the Survey, offers us a brief summary of what’s been happening. Fri, 09 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=53 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=52 With the new Ice Base team having been in residence for almost a week, they decided it might be time to set about some camp improvements this week. Their priority? The polar privy! Comms Manager, Al Humphreys explains. “After more than twenty days of service, our portable eco-loo had started shivering with every use. As do we! We thought it was time to move on to the ‘mark II model (wo)men’s room’ – fashioned out of a barrel, some plywood, and the old toilet seat!” Thu, 08 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=52 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=51 When you’re operating at temperatures that could freeze the proverbials off a brass monkey, you’ve got to expect a few things to go wrong. But when you’re at least 500km from the nearest store, playing Mr Fix It means displaying forward-thinking skills that would put a clairvoyant to shame. Wed, 07 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=51 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=47 The science team at the Ice Base were even busier than usual yesterday, for it was the first time they put Eddie to work. “Eddie” is a very sensitive machine used to measure CO2 levels. Mon, 05 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=47 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=46 She’s the half-Husky, half-German Shepherd who’s at the top of the world…well, the furthest North at any rate! And since she’s been winning over our Catlin Arctic Survey team, we thought we’d take the Easter holidays as an excuse to bring you a feature on Brownie, the lookout guard dog who’s been lending a paw over at the Ice Base. Mon, 05 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=46 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=45 Our new Ice Base team are continuing to settle in to their temporary new home, and were looking forward to their most unusual Easter ever. Incoming Communications Manager Al Humphries said "I'm sure most people don't enjoy working through the bank holiday weekend, but I can honestly say I'm loving every minute. I truly have the coolest (and coldest) office on Earth! Sun, 04 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=45 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=40 It’s no picnic surviving on an Arctic expedition in the depths of winter and early spring. If you are doing a scientific survey, it is a lot more challenging. Sat, 03 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=40 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=39 A clear weather window at Resolute Bay, the Ice Base and the Explorer Team locations meant that both the Twin Otter (bound for the Explorer Team) and the DC-3 Basler (bound for the Ice Base) were able to head out to re-supply each of the Catlin Arctic Survey field teams. Fri, 02 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=39 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=34 The frozen sea ice of the Arctic Ocean is a dynamic and constantly changing landscape. Travelling across its surface on foot is difficult enough, trying to land an aircraft on it is challenging and requires bags of skill and experience. The air support operation needed to service both the Ice Base and Explorer Teams is extensive and complex. Information that can help inform any operational decisions and reduce the element of risk is extremely valuable. Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=34 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=31 You might not expect the commute time to be an issue for scientists working out on the floating sea ice. But the position of the Ice Base camp home is proving to be a direct benefit to the science programme. Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=31 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=30 Air support provides the only lifeline to the outside world for the Ice Base and Explorer Teams. The DC-3 Basler, with its larger payload (4900lb/2222kg), services the Ice Base whilst the smaller Twin Otter (2400lb/1088kg) is used for the Explorer Team. Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=30 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=29 Bitterly cold temperatures and strong winds continued today. Yet it didn’t prevent the Explorer Team sticking doggedly to their scientific routine and they spent the day carrying out extensive data gathering. Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=29 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=28 Ann described the day’s travel as ‘horrendous’. An ambient temperature of -30° C, a strong Northerly wind of around 30 knots (35mph) and extensive ice rubble fields meant that this was the toughest day yet for the Explorer Team. Sun, 28 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=28 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=27 The Explorer Team experienced a frisson of fear when they came across polar bear tracks for the first time in their trek. “They were fairly fresh,” said Ann “and the pattern indicated that the bear had broken out into a gallop at some point. We obviously have to be on our guard because polar bears can smell a seal under ice several miles away, so they’d definitely be able to catch a whiff of three explorers who haven’t washed for weeks!” Sat, 27 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=27 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=25 A ‘giant circulation of sea ice’ is responsible for the swirling drift pattern our Explorer Team have been experiencing over the last week. The team describe the conditions out on the sea ice as unlike anything they’ve witnessed in years of polar travel. “They’re seeing a highly unusual combination of fast moving ice, large amounts of open water and a continual splitting and rucking of ice floes,” said Survey Director Pen Hadow. “It’s remarkable. And once they stop to do their survey work or pitch tent for the night they are effectively drifting backwards again.” Fri, 26 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=25 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=24 Our Explorer Team have reported another day of walking on ‘flippy floppy ice’, the likes of which none of them have experienced, despite clocking up years of Polar Travel between them. This ultra-thin, bendy ice is created when great expanses of open water refreeze, and that which our team is gingerly making their way across is often no more than a few days old. Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=24 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=20 Eight-hours graft is challenging, but when it’s extreme science on a patch of sea ice out on the Arctic Ocean, it’s seriously tough. Our intrepid Ice Base scientists have had a little while to get to grips with Arctic life, so we asked Laura Edwards to give us a description of a typical day of research out at the satellite science station. Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=20 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=19 Imagine gingerly lowering yourself from the edge of a crack in the Arctic sea ice into seawater that’s just above -1.8°C (the point at which it freezes) whilst a 120kg sledge hovers precariously close by, ready to slip off the ice shelf on which it’s nestling and come crashing into the water with you? Well, that’s precisely what our explorers have had to contend with as they faced their first swim of the expedition. Tue, 23 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=19 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=16 A massive weather event forced the Ice Base to go into lockdown mode for two days this weekend. Starting on Friday evening, the team experienced gusting winds of up to 60mph and temperatures of -45oC, giving an effective ‘feels like’ temperature of -75oC. It was all Ice Base Manager Simon Garrod could do to keep the camp in one piece. He explained: “Having enjoyed near-perfect conditions for almost a week, it was probably inevitable that the Arctic weather would turn on us in this way. In the event of severe weather, you just have to secure camp as best you can, turn off the generators and hunker down for the duration.” Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=16 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=15 It’s our window on the underwater world; a carefully prepared hole in the Arctic sea ice through which the science team have successfully retrieved their first seawater samples. Two kilometres west of the Ice Base, a couple of sampling holes have been created. To the untrained eye, they’re not much to shout about, but after more than eight hours digging and drilling through the 1.5m thick sea ice, battling a continually refreezing surface in -35oC air temperatures, they are everyone’s pride and joy and key to the Survey. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=15 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=10 Having dropped the Explorer Team out on the Arctic sea ice late on Sunday, our team of four scientists have now been safely dropped off at the Ice Base. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=10 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=9 Following more than a few delays due to missing kit, poor weather and grounded planes, the 2010 Catlin Arctic Survey is now officially underway. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=9 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=8 It’s been a tough week for our teams in Resolute this week. Having worked like huskies to get everything ready for a planned midweek drop off onto the sea ice, the elements have intervened and kept them land-bound and cooped-up in Resolute Bay. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=8 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=7 Both elements of the Catlin Arctic Survey remain in Resolute, awaiting deployment to their respective starting points. Ice Base Manager SimonGarrod remains in an upbeat mood, despite the enforced stay. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=7 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=6 Scientists and Explorer Team in Resolute? Check. Kit inventory all arrived and accounted for? Check. Tent set-up tested? Check. Polar bear lessons given? Check. Last minute panic about socks and underwear? Check! Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=6 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=5 The Catlin Arctic Survey today announced it has teamed up with leading research scientists to investigate the effects of carbon dioxide on the Arctic Ocean. Polar explorer Pen Hadow, who is Director of the mission, said it will begin in early March and take scientists to an Ice Base only 750 miles from the North Geographic Pole to study the potential impact of rising levels of acidity in some of the coldest water on the planet. Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/news.aspx?newsid=5 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/MediaGallery.aspx?galleryID=94 From sledge hauling and battling flyaway tents to the scientific sampling and drilling, it's all in a day's work for our explorers. All images © Martin Hartley. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:48:59 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/MediaGallery.aspx?galleryID=94 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/MediaGallery.aspx?galleryID=100 Martin's stunning images of the different seascapes the Explorer Team are witnessing on their travels across the floating sea ice. All images © Martin Hartley. Fri, 02 Apr 2010 12:48:27 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/MediaGallery.aspx?galleryID=100 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/MediaGallery.aspx?galleryID=99 Images of the awe-inspiring Arctic weather, skies and ice-, sea- and landscape. Wed, 31 Mar 2010 16:56:11 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/MediaGallery.aspx?galleryID=99 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/MediaGallery.aspx?galleryID=97 Our window on the underwater world - an ice hole situated 2km from camp, where the scientists trawl the depths for seawater samples and tiny marine critters. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 14:24:01 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/MediaGallery.aspx?galleryID=97 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/MediaGallery.aspx?galleryID=95 Mugshots and snapshots of our Ice Base scientists and support staff at work and play... Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:57:22 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/MediaGallery.aspx?galleryID=95 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/MediaGallery.aspx?galleryID=98 An insight into the scientific measurements, observations and analysis taking place in and around the lab tent at the Ice Base. Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:05:30 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/MediaGallery.aspx?galleryID=98 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/MediaGallery.aspx?galleryID=96 From landing on an unprepared ice runways, resupplies, setting up camp and the changing of the guard. All the comings and goings of our Ice Base teams and explorers. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:11:26 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/MediaGallery.aspx?galleryID=96 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/MediaGallery.aspx?galleryID=90 Our Explorer Team undertake some final preparations at Resolute Bay Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:12:33 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/MediaGallery.aspx?galleryID=90 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/MediaGallery.aspx?galleryID=89 The team undertake a dry run for set up of the Ice Base Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:10:19 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/MediaGallery.aspx?galleryID=89 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/MediaGallery.aspx?galleryID=86 What lies in store....some images from last year's Survey Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:33:17 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/MediaGallery.aspx?galleryID=86 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/VideoGallery.aspx?videoId=282 Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:24:51 GMT http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/VideoGallery.aspx?videoId=282 http://catlinarcticsurvey.com/VideoGallery.aspx?videoId=284 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:33:25 GMT 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