Establishing Eismitte

• Main Author: McCoy, Roger M
• Format: Book Part
• Language: unknown
• Published: Oxford University PressNew York, NY 2006
• Subjects: Arctic; Greenland; Ice cap
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780195188578.003.0006; https://academic.oup.com/book/chapter-pdf/52433393/isbn-9780195188578-book-part-6.pdf

Abstract Creating a meteorological station in the middle of the Greenland ice cap changed a fairly simple expedition into an extremely difficult one. Distance, weather, and altitude created one hurdle after another for the Central Station team. Transporting equipment and provisions 400 kilometers (250 miles) by dogsled usually took two weeks even in the best weather conditions. Averaging 29 kilometers (18 miles) per day demanded great energy from men and dogs. And the loads for the weather station were limited because of food, tents, and bedding needed for the trip out and back. Storage depots were established along the way, but these were held in reserve for emergency use in case a sled party was stranded by a storm. Another hurdle was the expedition’s dependence on motor sleds that had not been tested in the Arctic. As the team realized the limits on loads carried by dogsleds, they realized that motor sleds were more than a supplement to the dogsleds—they were essential.