(Mark Paricio is a PolarTREC Teacher accompanying the Polaris Project this summer. To read all of Mark’s journals, go to: http://www.polartrec.com/expeditions/siberian-arctic-systems-study )
Parting Shots – A Cold, Windy, Snowy Day, July 23rd, 2012
UPDATE: As it turned out, we did not get to leave until the afternoon of the 25th due to snow and cold. I write this update from the airport hotel in Yakutsk. We did not have reliable internet at the Northeast Science Station from the afternoon of the 23rd until our departure.
July 23rd
On our last full day (so the schedule would have us believe) at the Northeast Science Station, I am reminded of our first full day here. It’s the weather. It snowed on us then and it snowed on us again today. Actually, yesterday reminded me again of Colorado, a beautiful summer morning followed by thunder, wind, and snow in the evening as a front blew in. Today, we can no longer see the mountain tops just a few miles away.
Since our travel is weather dependent to some degree, we will see how this pans out by tomorrow afternoon.
The Storm Blows In
During the last student presentations yesterday evening, the wind began to howl as the weather changed. By the time last night’s celebration ended early this morning, it was snowing hard outside and the clouds were thick enough to almost let us believe it was dark at 1:30 a.m. Everyone went outside to check it out!
Scott Zolkos and snowflakes are illuminated by my camera’s flash at 1:30 a.m. this morning.
It is about noon right now as I write and the clouds have lifted just enough to let us see the top of Rodinka Mountain. It is never far from winter here but it is always beautiful.
A final view of Rodinka Mountain dusted in July 23rd snow.
It is never far from winter here, but it is always beautiful. Although everyone is working hard to cleanup in preparation of tomorrow’s departure, it is with mixed emotions that we will leave.
Stay curious my friends! – Mark Paricio
