A Polar Passage

Welcome!

A Polar Passage is my effort at chronicling four months spent as Assistant GAW Lab Operator in Alert, Nunavut. With a view to providing a window into day to day life on station and in the lab, I will be posting updates on a weekly basis. These should include pictures that will hopefully capture something of the surrounding beauty in ways which my writing cannot. There is so much to describe. While the light still lingers my focus will be on the outdoors though it will certainly change with the onset of darkness.

For those of you here to see photos, I have included a number within a dedicated folder entitled as would be expected, ‘Photos’. Enjoy!

To those of you here to read, I will do my best to keep each post engaging.

Should you have any questions, I am happy to answer them. Presumably I know you and we have a way to communicate. If not, leave a comment and I will get back to you.

Thanks for reading,

Isaac

Sunrise, Sunset

November 24, 2016December 16, 2016 by polarpress

In the background of the photos included in this post, chunks of sea ice are distinguishable. These are a fair distance away and rise probably 20 feet into the air. I have heard stories about times when the wind blows strongly against the shore piling ice high, covering the area where I am seen standing. … Continue reading Sunrise, Sunset

Flight

November 3, 2016November 11, 2016 by polarpress

As previously mentioned, I flew to Alert on a C-130 Hercules plane – a wonderful experience. Recently though that trip was outdone. We were offered a day trip and flight to Greenland. Our ride was a C-17 Globemaster, the largest plane used by the Royal Canadian Air Force. The time in Thule … Continue reading Flight

Snow

October 21, 2016October 21, 2016 by polarpress

When I first arrived most of the ground was covered by snow. In a couple of weeks it was mostly gone, barren tundra stretching all about. A couple of weeks ago, we had three straight days of snow. It was the best kind, with large fluffy flakes that fell thickly and softly. I felt as … Continue reading Snow

The Lab. Part I

October 8, 2016November 11, 2016 by polarpress

The World Meteorological Organization runs a number of programs including the Global Atmosphere Watch. GAW is a global network of partners collecting data to be used in the study of the atmosphere. As a contributor, Canada runs monitoring programs across the country; the northernmost lab is here in Alert. Officially titled the “Dr. Neil Trivett … Continue reading The Lab. Part I

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Sunrise, Sunset

Flight

Snow

The Lab. Part I