Student blogs

Close to collapse… or not?
Wednesday 6. July 2011
Today was the day that almost everyone was close to collapsing. Not even completely recovered from the cruise, the IPY field school knows no mercy and hard deadlines were there to be kept in mind.
For the oceanography group this day was a real test, which was not made
easier by the oscillating moods of Big Mama Ditte. In general, all the groups had to face a motivation versus time curve which was strongly influenced by the will to create the perfect presentation, but even more by the need for a good sleep.

Time was running out and so work had to be continued back in the barracks. But some people felt the need to be productive in a different sense. So Ditte, Phil, Andy, Laura, Scott and Julian set off for a breathtaking hike to Huset to have a cold drink and forget about their sorrows. Sadly, Huset was already closed, but nevertheless our dear friend Macarena (the bodiless bird) accompanied us and provided a good photo.

Macarena (the bodiless bird) is highly appreciated. (Photo: Julian Kinzel).

Back in Nybyen we enjoyed ourselves until the early morning with 5-star white wine and had philosophical discussions about preferred private ‘activities’ and those interested in art had a lively discussion about paintings in bathrooms that was just perfect. Again time
passed by way too fast... In two days most of us will already be flying off home.

A group of five had managed to find some energy reserves and started a hike to Trollsteinen. Even though the view was non-existent due to the fog, it was a nice hike. In some way, which is still not clear, Ingrid managed to convince Torgeir to carry up her skis, boots, chocolate and make-up. We now understand why Ingrid is so desperately looking for someone to join her to New Zealand. Be careful!

When the top was reached, it became clear that it was not Ingrid’s make-up that made Torgeir’s backpack so heavy, but two cans of ‘Arctic beer’. Torgeir was so thoughtful to bring the beer because it was his birthday. It made up for the lack of a nice panoramic vista that is usually present at the top. Congratulations Torgeir! After that the two crazy Norwegians skied down while the rest of us (some with soaking boots) walked down. But at least we didn’t fall in a melt water channel!

By: Julian Kinzel (Germany) and Mathijs de Jong (Sweden)

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Project work and dinner at the hotel

Tuesday 5. July 2011

Today we seemed to have spent the whole day working on our projects. All the groups were busy processing the data that we collected in the field last weekend. The marine biology group was analyzing their samples of zooplankton. The oceanography group was measuring the salinities from the water samples using the portable salinometer aka “The Disco-machine”. This is because the flashing light and whirring pump makes it look like a mini discotheque. The botanists were looking at pretty flowers, the geologists- pretty rocks and the glaciologists were busy making maps of their glacier.

The portable salinometer, aka "The disco-machine". (Photo: Synnøve Kolstø).

Finally, with the project work far from finished, we made our way over to the Radisson hotel for the buffet dinner. It was a truly amazing spread of dishes including seal, whale, reindeer, ‘caviar’ and plenty of gravlaks. After dinner a few of us went to Svalbar for a couple of beers and a few rounds of pool.

Playing pool at Svalbar. (Photo: Synnøve Kolstø).

By: Synnøve Kolstø (Norway) and Karina Slatlem (Norway)

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The last week of the IPY field school 2011 has started …
Monday 4. July 2011
After an amazing and very exiting 3-day field cruise on the M/S Stålbas in Billefjorden, a fjord to the north-west of Longyearbyen, we are now back home in Nybyen.
Unfortunately, we have only one week left until the IPY field school of 2011 will be finished. Thus, we had to get started on our group work today by processing the collected data of the last three days in order to hold a final presentation and present a poster at the end of the week.

But we also had two lectures today. The second, in particular, was very helpful for us because it contained advice on “how to design a good poster“ to catch one´s eye. The lectures were given by Jenny Baeseman, who is the director of the APECS (“Association of Polar Early Career Scientists”). APECS is an international and interdisciplinary organisation, which aims to support and encourage people interested in Polar Sciences by creating networking possibilities as well as providing opportunities for career development. Thus, it is not surprising that APECS has been involved in the planning of the IPY summer school.

In the evening, we had a joint dinner with the ResClim summer school (also carried out at UNIS) in a tippi-tent a little outside of Longyearbyen. A few quizes with questions on Polar issues (such as f. ex. naming songs with polar lyrics) helped us break the ice and get to know each other.

Joint dinner with the ResClim summer school in a tippi-tent a little outside of Longyearbyen.

By: Valentina Cesari (Italy) & Anja Bock (Germany)

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Amazing field days in Billefjorden! Part 4....

Saturday 2. July 2011

A day on a research vessel out in a fjord of Western Svalbard.
A highlight for probabaly every IPY particpiant was the 3-day cruise on the last weekend, where we had amongst others the opportunity to walk on a glacier, take water samples as well as got to know different rock formations.

In total, there were five excursions offered within the field of Marine Biology, Oceanography, Botany, Glaciology and Geology, where we collected data out in the field and thus got to know the required methods. Everybody had the chance to get an insight into the different research fields, but everybody also had to pick one group in order to hold a presentation and present a poster on a certain topic within this area at the end of the IPY summer course. Thus, the Saturday was reserved for every group (consists of 5 participants) to take samples, observe and deepen their knowledge in their field of research.

We - Julian, Ditte, Synnøve, Torgeir and Anja – decided to join the oceanography group, where we had the opportunity to spend the entire saturday with the Marine Biology group on the Viking Explorer, a small research vessel of UNIS.

The research vessel of UNIS (Viking Explorer) on its way to take water samples for Marine Biology and Oceanography. (Photo: Anja Bock).

Our topic was about the “Water mass transformation and ice production in Billefjorden, Svalbard”. Thus, we were interested in the constitution and depths of the different water masses throughout the Billefjorden -Fjord, which pr ovides us with information on the circulation patterns, sea-ice production and seasonal changes in the past.

Therefore, we took water samples from just above the seafloor and measured the conductivity (C), temperature (T) and depth (D) with a bottle shaped tool, called CTD (Fig. 2, 2), which took measurements throughout the entire water column. Thus, we can get a picture of differences between the water columns within the fjord.

The water sample bottle and the CTD connected to a cable before sampling (left) and afterwards (right). (Photos: Anja Bock).

The water sample was taken to get more accurate dataset on the salinity. But in order to do this, the water sample bottle had to stay open on its edges (Fig. 2, arrows) and be closed in the right moment or right water column. This was carried out by a weight (Fig. 2, 3), which was attached onto the wire and pushes a button (by speeding down on the wire) that releases the two lids to close the bottle and encapsulate the water sample. The CTD was on the one end tied to the water sample bottle, including weights and on the other side to a small crane/cable winch to release both into the water.

Due to the fact that the conductivity is influenced by the depth, temperature and salinity, we are later on able to calculate the salinity, which gives us an insigth on the sea ice production of the last winter (salt is released during ice formation).

The data were taken across and along the Billefjorden-fjord with a total of 12 different spots (No. 1-12).

By: Anja Bock (Germany)

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Amazing field days in Billefjorden! Part 3....

Saturday 2. July 2011

The glaciology group went to Svenbreen which is in the inner part of Petuniabukta in Billefjorden.
Not the largest glacier in the area, but a small one that some Polish researchers have been studying for a long time. The task was to locate the base of the glacier and make a map of the ice thickness.

Fully loaded backpacks. (Photo: Endre Nerhus Øen).

We achieved this using ground penetrating radar (GPR) and a differential global positioning system (dGPS). How the equipment works I will not describe here, but our backpacks were fully loaded and the equipment worked nearly perfectly (albeit with loads of gaffatape).

Some nice geology on the way to the glacier. Billefjordenfault between the red and the lighter rocks. (Photo: Endre Nerhus Øen).

By: Endre Nerhus Øen (Norway)

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Trine, Andy and the GPR equipment. (Photo: Endre Nerhus Øen).

Amazing field days in Billefjorden!
Part 2...

1. July - 3. July 2011

At 8.45 on 1. July we were picked up by a bus from our quarters at Nybyen.
We were then taken to the harbor where the ship Stålbas awaited us. Once onboard we were given a quick safety briefing and a tour around the ship.

We were scheduled to leave at some unknown time that no one seemed to remember, it mattered not as some fellow scientists from Poland had had trouble remembering to bring their luggage and the departure did not occur until 11.00-ish.

Some claim to have seen a whale on our journey to Billefjorden while others claim it was just a drifting log. At some point we had lunch.It was pretty good with lots sausages and stuff! When we reached Billefjorden we were divided into our pre-assigned groups, and sent off to do fieldwork, which took the rest of the day. We returned in the late afternoon/evening, and were served a traditional Norwegian meal called “lapskaus”.

Once dinner had finished, most remained on Stålbas while a few of us were transported, by the smaller UNIS vessel Viking Explorer, to the abandoned Russian mining settlement Pyramiden, where we lodged in modified containers. (it was actually rather comfortable, and for those not accustomed to life on the waves, it was nice to be on solid ground).

The next day we all ate breakfast on Stålbas, (the ones who slept in Pyramiden were back on board at this point, though somewhat late). Saturday was the most important day for fieldwork as each group was out collecting the data needed for their projects. Each of the following topics had been assigned to a certain group: botany, marine biology, glaciology, geology and oceanography. When we returned that evening we were served fish, it was delicious. Then we all went to Pyramiden, where we were shown around by the guide Dimitri, who was really awesome!

On Sunday we had breakfast on Stålbas again. We then we went to finish off the fieldwork. Some of us came back a little late after a long day in the field and it was a pleasant surprise to find the hot tub on deck filled with warm water. We were served meat cakes with brown sauce for dinner and started the journey back. We arrived in Longyearbyen at around 9 o’clock in the evening, and were transported back to Nybyen by UNIS minivans. I thought it was a really exciting and a very enjoyable cruise and I am sure we would all agree.

By: Truls H. Hansson (Norway)

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Amazing field days in Billefjorden! Part 1...
1. July - 3. July 2011
Early morning on 1. July we boarded the MS Viking Explorer & MS Stålbas and headed northwards to Billefjorden.
The geological formations we observed on our way to Billefjorden were just amazing! And so was the food served for lunch on board MS Stålbas! Most of the students slept on the ship during the cruise, however, due to lack of bunks seven brave adventurers decided to sleep in the container hotel in Pyramiden.

Getting on our small motorized nutshells! (Photo: Ekrem Canli).

Working on and around the fjord was an absolutely fantastic experience for us all.

We were switching ships via the gangplank, getting winched over the side into the sea on fast speedboats while wearing our bright orange survival suits and collecting loads of data for research using hi-tech equipment – and all that in the near vicinity of the stunning sea terminating tidewater glacier Nordenskjöldbreen!

In the evening of our second field day the group went to Pyramiden where the Russian guy Dimitri lead us through this very interesting and at the same time very spooky town.

Pyramiden was abandoned in 1998 just within a few days – the former inhabitants left everything behind they couldn’t take with them on the ship back to Russia.

It appeared like a scene in Alfred Hitchcock’s book ‘The Birds’ with all those birds circling above the remains of this former Russian settlement.

That would be the perfect location for producing a horror movie! Everything appeared very dull and depressive – it was really bizarre.

Excursion to the abandoned Russian mining town Pyramiden. (Photo: Ragnheid Skogseth).

We spent the whole of our last day out in the field and for all our efforts we were amply rewarded: on deck of MS Stålbas had been prepared an amazing Hot Tub for us! Immediately we jumped into the warm water, soaking away the tiredness of the past three days. Some of us stayed there for more than two hours while we sailed back to Longyearbyen! It was a very suitable ending to a well executed three day field cruise! I think everyone who participated in this field trip would agree: this was an amazing weekend!!!

By: Ekrem Canli (University of Vienna/Austria)

Reindeer in front of Nordenskjöldbreen glacier. (Photo: Ekrem Canli).

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Preparing for the expedition

Thursday 30. June 2011

After a morning of lectures on Paleoclimatology and Oceanography we had a long afternoon packing all the field work equipment for the cruise.
The joyful botany group "Flower Power" was done in five minutes after packing the homemade insect net and some really, really expensive and fragile equipment that we were not allowed to touch. "I'll be watching you with eagle eyes, and I'll probably do it for you" Lorna admitted. Whereas the oceanography group seemed to be taking meticulous care in arming what looked to be like a futuristic nuclear weapon. Two hours later we found out that in fact it was only a highly computerised current metre.

Everyone was very excited about dinner at Radisson Hotel. There had been an air of excitement brewing all day. Rumors of the famous "summer-buffèt" were spreading around UNIS. With mouths watering we quickly finished off the packing and headed over to the hotel. We were not to be disappointed! Now with chock-full stomachs everyone was running around wondering what to bring on the cruise. Torgeir finally, after hours of discussion, decided to go in sneakers and not his mountain boots. We now hope he manages to get to the ship without ending up in a ‘puddle’;-).

By: Elina K. Andrianopoulos (Norway)

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Is the sea temperature increasing? Let’s find out!
Wednesday 29. June 2011
Today was the big "glacier-day" and the two Thomas’s held introductory lectures on the glacial systems of Svalbard.

After lunch we had a very inspirational lecture by John Walsh about Arctic climate change in a global context. Poor John had heard rumors that the class was rough and asking hard questions and we didn't give him an easy time either.

To verify John's claim that sea temperature is increasing (?), two eager students (Elina and Ingrid) jumped into the fjord and went for a swim without survival suits.

Oceanographers using low tech temperature sensors! (Photos: Kathrine Five).

The highly qualified life guard, Laura (who had saved a fat Egyptian and a small child in Spain), was unfortunately not there. So Elina and Ingrid got a lot of sediment (see Wikipedia, "sediments") in their mouths, but survived. Due to the lack of a reputable data set (a complete time series of ocean temperature for Adventfjorden) it was hard to verify whether the water temperature had increased or not.

After a solid beef dinner and dessert at Huset, a few people went hiking to Sukkertoppen and got lost in the mountains in search of Lindholmhøgda, an expedition led by the eminent "dry-track-finder" Ingrid. Luckily they returned safely later on in the evening before we sent out a search party.

By: Kathrine Five (Norway)

For those who like rocks...
Tuesday 28. June 2011
Hey guys! So, a little bit about Tuesday. The best lecture day ever, ever, ever! Seriously! Ok, it was the best day for geologists and those who like rocks!

So, what lectures did we have? And who was responsible for the day? So, our lecturer was Olafur Ingolfsson, who lectured us on the geology (The dynamical geological history of Svalbard). Really exciting!

After a couple of fantastic lectures we were given more information on the upcoming field cruise and of course the most important thing…. And what could it be? Dividing us into the project groups! So, if there are 25 students, and 5 project groups, then using a hard higher mathematical algorithm, we decided, that in each group we should have 5 people! Hardest part done.

Ingrid and Marcus hard at work - establishing 5 project groups. (Photo: Dace Kreišmane).

Then Marcus and Ingrid took the lead and decided – how are we going to do it!? So, they decided that we should write on small pieces of paper the 2 projects that we wanted to do the most! So, after Ingrid and Marcus completed the hard paperwork there was 5 groups and in each of them – 5 students. Everybody was happy with their group. Excellent! What kind of projects did we have? Oceanography, Marine biology, Glaciology, Botany, Geology! You will read about them in next days ;)

But that was not all for the day, because 7 of the 25 students didn’t have a bunk on the ship. Some of us had to sleep in a container in the abandoned Russian settlement of Pyramiden. The chosen ones or the lucky ones are – Eki, Madalina, Dace, Owen, Lewis, Scott and Truls. They were chosen by random after voluntary application. Sounds too difficult, doesn’t it?

After an exciting day in UNIS we had dinner in Huset café. And after that – a lazy evening in barrack #13! Okay, we studied really hard, maybe! And some of us did a small hike to explore Longyerbyen glacier after the fantastic geology/glaciology lectures!

Some did a small hike to explore the Longyerbyen glacier after the fantastic glaciology lectures! (Photo: Dace Kreišmane).

So, what is going to happen on the cruise? Will someone disappear? Will we meet a polar bear? Be patient! To be continued!

By: Dace Kreišmane (Latvia) & Trine Schmidt Jensen (Denmark)

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The day of oceanography
Monday 27. June 2011
Today was definitely the best morning of the course so far – we got to sleep in until midday! Ahhhh…….
Just as well as some of the more hardy (foolhardy?) of our group had been out for a night hike, although the day/night divide up here is a fairly arbitrary one.

At one o’clock we had a lecture from Knut Aagaard, a Norwegian based at Washington University, billed as the father of arctic oceanography. Knut assured us that despite the efforts of King Knut or the rest of humanity, ocean circulation would continue, and would continue to evolve.  A lecture by Frank Nilsen continued the Arctic oceanography theme, concentrating on fjordic circulation especially those with open water polynyas.

The day concluded with a safety briefing for the upcoming science cruise given by Monica, an experienced Arctic hand who looks like she could stare down a polar bear at 50 paces.
Talk of the upcoming cruise (upgraded to an expedition) dominated the now familiar trudge up to ‘Huset’ for dinner and beers.

By: Owen Kilbride (United Kingdom)

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To the top – to the top!
Sunday 26. June 2011
Sunday - our first and last day free of lectures!! Today we hooked up with students from the sedimentology course and the RESclim conference and went hiking to explore the beautiful island.
We have all quickly adapted to take advantage of the hiking opportunities when the Arctic summer gives us sun! :D

The midnight sun gives you 12 more hours of hiking opportunities. Some of us (like Elina) went hiking in the early morning hours even before going to bed. Others, such as Kathrine, Synnøve and myself, crawled out of bed around 10:15 in the morning just to realise that everyone else was soon ready to head off for the main hike of the day. In 15 minutes we managed to get dressed, have some breakfast, make lunch and pack our rucksack just in time for the hike.

Fools top - Nordenskioldtoppen is actualy in the background.... (Photo: Helga B. Kristiansen).

Nordenskiöldtoppen (1050m above sea level) was the perfect destination for the day. Hiking in “long johns” in the Arctic – who would have figured?? After 3 hours of uphill, a lot of “fooling tops” and narrow paths (hoping Graham, the Englishman, didn’t fall down the hillside) we got to the top. Reward: The view!

Isfjorden at one side and the mountains of “inland” Svalbard at the other side. The beautiful view was a perfect backdrop for our lunch of hastily prepared sandwiches. We were lucky enough to be able to enjoy the view for at least a couple of hours before the low cloud started to close in, forcing us to head back down.

Lunch on Nordenskioldtoppen - 1050 meters above sea level. (Photo: Helga B. Kristiansen).

In fact we were just in time for dinner at Huset where everyone had exciting stories to share. All had an amazing day! While some chose the soothing comfort of a cold beer others went for the last hike of the day – Blomsterdalhøgda!

By: Helga B. Kristiansen (Norway)

A lack of gravity up here! (Photo: Helga B. Kristiansen).

An Arctic summer! (Photo: Helga B. Kristiansen).

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Another exciting day with biology!
Saturday 25. June 2011
We were given a very interesting introduction into some fascinating facts about the botany in extreme environments just as Svalbard and their capability to cope with such a cold climate.

Although plant growth is limited to several factors (the short growing season, the polar night, low temperatures and low precipitation), there are still quite many different plants on Svalbard. Some species have very specific adaptations and strategies for their successful growth!

In Endalen (from left): Torgeir, Ingrid, Ditte and botanist Lorna Little. (Photo: Helga B. Kristiansen).

In the afternoon we’ve been on a short excursion to Endalen and Adventdalen valley for observing birds with our binoculars and to identify some arctic plants. Actually it was pretty funny doing some scientific research like sitting beside a plant and watching it being pollinated by flies! We were really amazed by the large diversity of plants out there – and the surrounding of the Endalen valley was absolutely stunning!

The bonfire and midusmmer night party in in the Longyearbyen harbor area. (Photo: Marcus Zanacchi).

In the evening after another exciting day in Svalbard we enjoyed the amazing bonfire at the sailing club in Longyearbyen celebrating the Scandinavian tradition of midsummer night – the longest day of the year! (Which actually doesn’t make any difference in Svalbard as it is anyway light all day long at that time of year ;-) ). With beautiful and sunny weather and a delicious barbeque we had a great time together at the beach!

By: Ekrem Canli (Austria)

Synnøve, Kathrine and Helga enjoying the midsummer night party. (Photo: Helga B. Kristiansen).

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Arctic predators and a cookout in Nybyen

Friday 24. June 2011

Friday was surely an interesting day for all of us, especially for the biology students in our group: Nicolas Lecomte introduced us to the IPY Project “Arctic Predators” and to the arctic terrestrial food webs. It is curious to see how complex food webs can get and how vulnerable they can be to changes in the ecosystem. As an example, we went through some typical tundra food webs. Another interesting point was to discuss about the red fox and how it has spread into the Arctic, meaning a threat for the Arctic fox.

The Arctic fox is threatened elsewhere in the Arctic, but thrives in Svalbard. (Illustration photo: Eva Therese Jenssen).

Eike Stübner had two presentations on marine biology, which will be definitely essential in our marine biology field work. I found myself fascinated by the tiny but significant world, often unnoticed by our eyes, found in the water. Despite their size, plankton and the algae found in the sea ice play a vital role in the food web. Recent changes in oceanic temperatures are seen to have negative consequences for established ecosystems due to the introduction of invasive species.

Friday was a special day, since we had dinner at Nybyen, cooked by ourselves (food poisoning has not yet been reported). I do not know how it will work with the field work groups, but I can tell that we had a great team spirit when cooking! While Lewis was taking care of the meat, Endre was peeling potatoes; Owen was trying to rescue a rotten onion from the trash and so on. Everyone collaborated with something and this was wonderful!

Nybyen - where the IPY students live. The Longyear valley and the Longyear glacier in the background. (Photo: Eva Therese Jenssen/UNIS).

As a main dish we had a very typical Norwegian dish, specialty from Tønsberg: Takøs, which were served with a classic Stavanger sauce: Guakamøle. What can I say about this dish? It was delicious!! (Although I do not recommend eating this when being on a first date, it is a bit messy). Elina made also an incredible tzatziki and Karina brought perfect dessert: chocolate cake, mmm… both were finished very quickly. My super group and I of potato/onion peeler collaborators made Spanish omelets.

Friday night means student night in the Arctic. Therefore, we headed ‘down town’ to Friday Gathering (organized By Students - FOR STUDENTS!! Good job Friday Gathering team) where we partied the night away Arctic style! What else can I say? I think it was a beautiful evening!

By: Laura Hernández Ruiz (Finland)

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Polar Bears and Northern Lights

Thursday 23. June 2011
Our day began with a series of lectures on polar bears, emphasizing how the species will cope with predicted climate change.

It was explained how polar bears are solitary animals, interacting only to reproduce and raise their cubs. Since their diet consists primarily of blubber, the lecturer, Bjørn Munro Jensen, explained how the biggest human-caused threat are the fat soluble, toxic chemicals deposited in the Arctic via air, ocean and food chains. However recent international regulations have had promising results: decreasing levels of toxins in the Polar bears.

View from the KHO towards the EISCAT radar antennas and Adventdalen. (Photo: Ingrid Onarheim).

After lunch, students were given more lectures about atmospheric physics. Margit Dyrland explained how the sun’s activity, in combination with the Earth’s magnetic field gave rise to the beautiful Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, which are observable during Svalbard’s winters.

The talks were followed by an excursion to the Kjell Henriksen Observatory (KHO) and SPEAR Radar Station, where students saw first-hand how scientists studied the Northern Lights. The photo below shows IPY Field School students on the roof of the KHO.

By: Andrew Davis (USA)

IPY Field School students on the roof of the KHO. (Photo: Andrew Davis).

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The day of biology!

Wednesday 22. June 2011
A day of creepy-crawlies, insects and weather phenomena.

The morning began with an introduction to the invertebrates of Svalbard (by Steve Coulson), followed by an afternoon excursion to the old aurora station in Adventdalen, where a collection of meteorological and biological instrumentation is stationed.

IPY students installing meteorological equipment for measuring wind speed. (Photo: Marit Funnemark).

We helped installing a new net to collect spiders and insects carried by the wind, in addition to an instrument measuring wind speed. On site was also an old aeroplane from the Second World War. Still there due to the preservation of cultural heritage.

In Adventdalen: Students installing a net. (Photo: Marit Funnemark).

Though it was pretty windy, it was also both sunny and the warmest day of the year with maximum 11C. Dinner was again at "Huset" in its cosy atmosphere close to Nybyen.

By: Marit Funnemark (Norway) and Ditte Mogensen (Finland)

Wind speed can also be measured manually, as here done by Truls at approximately 2 meters height. (Photo: Marit Funnemark).

Halo observed at the old aurora station. (Photo: Marit Funnemark).

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The first day of science!

Tuesday 21. June 2011

After an adventurous first day, it was time for our first scientific lectures.

Christiane Hübner from the Svalbard Science Forum kicked it off by introducing IPY projects and a Svalbard research database. She was followed by Frank Nilsen, which gave the first of several lectures in oceanography – this one concerning the currents of the oceans surrounding Svalbard.

At the museum: Polar bear short in self-defence at a distance of 2 meters. (Photo: Marit Funnemark).

The last topic of the day, which was presented by Anna Sjöblom, was an introduction to Arctic weather and climate, with focus on the local measurements done on Svalbard. Then it was time for a cultural injection with a visit to the Svalbard Museum, which is located in the same building as UNIS.

At the museum: Cute-looking seal floating on ice. (Photo: Marit Funnemark).

The museum houses, among others a polar bear, reindeer, Arctic fox, several seals and Arctic birds. Pre-historic animals (such as dinosaurs) are also to be found buried inside the museum. After travelling through the history of Svalbard, it was nice to relax among new friends on the seal skins in the back of the museum with great views to Isfjorden in the background. We signed off the day with a delicious dinner at the restaurant 'Huset'.

By: Marit Funnemark (Norway) and Ditte Mogensen (Finland)

IPY students Andrew and Synnøve digging out a dinosaur in the museum's archaeological site. (Photo: Marit Funnemark).

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SPLASH and BOOM!
Monday 20. June 2011

Hi! Or as they say on Svalbard, Hei! My name is Lewis and I am going to take you through our first official day of the IPY field school.

Whoever thought that donning bright orange suits and jumping in to freezing water was a good way of getting to know your fellow students was probably quite right and so as I stood at the edge of a 2 meter drop at 0900 on a chilly Svalbard morning ready to plunge into the murky waters, I thought “well at least we are all doing it together”- Splash!

Getting ready for the swimming excercise in the UNIS Logistics Storage. (Photo: Lewis Drysdale).

The activity was intended to ready us in case we had to use the immersion suits for survival and it achieved that aim. Unfortunately for some, namely Owen and Laura, the experience proved a bit more than expected and they came out soaking and were forced to make use of the open air changing room much to the local boat users disgust and pleasure. I just can’t understand how Owen knew to bring spare underpants (maybe he takes them everywhere?).

Learning to swim in the Longyearbyen harbor. (Photo: Marcus Zanacchi).

After a light lunch and a warm up we decided to shoot stuff. The minibus picked us up from UNIS and took us above the airport into the hills for some rifle training. There was a mixture of excitement and nervousness on the bus as we all swapped stories about when or if we had ever used a rifle or any sort of gun before.

The instructor was re-assuring and soon everyone was ‘Half-Loading’ like a wartime soldier, despite Laura pointing the gun at the instructor a few times, by accident of course. Live rounds were issued and soon everyone was eagerly shooting at the targets, and some people were hitting them. Owen, I was later told, was shooting at someone else’s target thus explaining the lack of hits on his own.

At the rifle range - learning to load and unload. (Photo: Lewis Drysdale).

After shooting we had some lovely pizza at the UNIS canteen and following a failed attempt at speed dating (nobody moved place!) we made our way up the hill and back to the barracks stopping, of course, for a quick beer so that Phil could sleep, that's Germans for you. It was a fun day of new experiences and new friends.

By: Lewis Drysdale (Scotland, UK)

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Blog administrator: Eva Therese Jenssen