Snow researcher Johan Casselgren, Luleå University of Technology, blogs from Antarctica during the expedition DML 2021/22.

Day 31

We are preparing for a longer trip with the snowmobiles and the living modules (arcs) where we will mount an automatic weather station. Fortunately, we have the help of our logistics and technicians who help us get all the equipment and spare parts we need for sleds and snowmobiles. The picture shows Mikael Thörnäs, logistician.

Day 32

During the journey to the plateau Ritscherflya we passed the mountain peak Fossilryggen, where we stopped and looked at one of the Finns' sensors. Fossilryggen is a fascinating place with all its different rocks. After Fossilryggen we had about 45 km left to the place where we would assemble the automatic weather station. When we arrived, we set up the arcs and mounted the folding tent. Since the weather was so nice and it is bright around the clock, we also started to assemble the mast to the weather station.

Day 33

Annika and I continued with the assembly of the weather station while Ian and Andrew went away to perform PICO drilling. The assembly went well, but there were many sensors that had to be mounted, buried, and then connected to the lodges. The battery, the big black box, would also be buried. Everything had to be done in the right order because the mast would be raised as we went along.

Day 34

The assembly of the weather station was completed and the power supply worked immediately as intended. The logging program was uploaded and tested and most things worked as planned. After that we tore the base because bad weather with poor visibility was on its way in. Most of the way home it was beautiful weather and good visibility. As we approached Basen, the mountain where the Wasa research station is located, we could see an interesting weather phenomenon, an orographic cloud, that had formed over Basen. When we approached the base, there was a thick fog which meant that we had to drive much slower. But once we were back at the Wasa station we were over the clouds :)

Day 35

This day was a day of rest as visibility was very poor and we needed to take care of all the equipment we had with us on our field trip.

DML 2021/22