Mid-day sunshine in Barrow, AK. The blowing snow is making it a little difficult to see where you are going. If you aren't familiar with where the roads are, it would be easy to drive off of the edge. Even though it is only a couple of days after the Spring Equinox, the sun is above the horizon for almost 14 hours. This, by the way, is the sun as it appears this morning at around 11AM with the wind stirring up the snow. At least it's warmed up a little back to almost positive temperatures (°F)
I spent much of Sunday afternoon getting a radio link back up between the roof of the BARC (Barrow Arctic Research Center) and the BEO (Barrow Environmental Observatory). To the left is a older photo I took a couple of years ago of the BEO shed at the other end of the wireless connection. Fortunately, I didn't need to venture out there as it is about a mile in from the road. The wind and blowing snow on top of the roof was enough of a challenge. But the link is back up and even with the blowing snow, I was able to get 41 Mbps between the two sites.
The BEO is 7,466 acres of land formally set aside by the native corporation for long term environmental studies in 1992. Research has been going on in this area since 1947. In case you are interested, here is a link to the current
master plan. This is the live view from the one of the
webcams located on the tower next to the building. As you can see, not much of a view today. This is the cameral looking to the west as you can barely make out the series of power poles installed several years to bring power to the shed.
I will be up here until the end of the week doing a lot of maintenance and setting up a network authentication system before the Summer field season kicks in.
Wednesday Morning Update - The wind died down overnight and the town is now left with a lot of snow to rearrange. This parking lot was just plowed yesterday down to the dirt and now there is about 2 to 3 feet of snow drifts. This is the front entry of the BARC, a federally funded science facility to study climate change. I have been working on this building since the design phase and was originally designed as part of a multi-phase project which is why it looks like it's sitting all by itself. Room for expansion.
Snow blind. Wow. You aren't kidding about driving off into nowhere.
ReplyDeleteit is a little easier to see when the sun is up than trying to drive with headlights on. This morning, I was planning on pulling into a parking space on the north side of the building and immediately drove into n 18" deep snow drift that was hidden in the blowing snow. Needless to say, I parked somewhere else.
DeleteWow what a view... NOT! Don't get lost in the whiteout.
ReplyDeleteNot a very scenic view today. At least I managed to get the wireless link working without a snow machine trip to the hut. Years ago, I went out there in the winter and we were mainly following a GPS track that someone else had made on a clear day. One of the benefits of my portable Garmin is the ability to load in tracks that you can follow even without roads.
DeleteWow, that's a pretty depressing scene. And people complain about our weather. I don't think I could take an Alaskan winter/spring.
ReplyDeleteHere in Barrow, it is really still WInter. "Spring-like" weather won't be here for a couple of months. It's amazing what you get used to. All of the seasons up here in Alaska are truly wonderful as long as you know what you're getting into. And I still think that this is nicer than weeks of rain. With snow you don't get soaked.
DeleteHi Richard. I'm hoping to venture out today to try out a MRA screen on the Inazuma 250 while there's still no snow on the road. It's snowing heavily further north up in Central England, Scotland, etc., but down here in the south it's just VERY VERY cold! So far! The wind chill factor is making it about -15C. At least you got a bit of sunshine - it's dreary grey here and has been for quite a few weeks. Anyway, I've got my EDZ Merino thermals on and waiting to finish my hot cup of tea before even daring to open the front door!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by and commenting. I think that the dreary grey is more depressing than no sunshine at all. At least if it's just dark, there are the stars and aurora to brighten your day. I hope you had a good ride even at -15°C!
DeleteNice job getting the link back online Richard! Do you happen to know any tech recruiters who specialize in Alaska perhaps?
ReplyDeletedom
Redleg's Rides
No, I haven't heard of any. Alaska has such a small population and technology is so far down on any list of industries up here that there is little effort at all. Occasionally, we advertised nationally for employees and we would get tons of applications from folks all over the place hoping to get a free trip to Alaska. When pressed, most admit that they don't think they'd ever move.
DeleteI really understand what you are saying to Bluekat. You have a good life and solid family life there. Your job is intellectually stimulating, your trips all over the world are treats! And the challenges you face in AK are just that: challenges.
ReplyDeleteI say you have a perfect attitude and are living a good life. Location does not make a good life.
Alaska, like anywhere else, has a lot of good and bad points. There are a lot of folks up here who absolutely hate it here and rarely venture out of their homes in the winter and complain about the bugs in the summer except to go to Walmart. I think that you are absolutely right about travel makes a huge difference for me as it is one of the things I really enjoy. Including travel around the state.
DeleteYep. I can see Spring in the emerging blades of grass and peeking flower bulbs. NOT!!! Stay warm.
ReplyDeleteYou just can't see all the green grass and brightly colored flowers due to the blowing snow. In June or July, this place would look and feel like heaven compared to the heat and humidity in GA. But just for a month or so until the snow returns in August. ;-)
DeleteThe Sahara would be a wonderful respite from the humidity in deep summer in the South. :)
DeleteAhhh white out conditions, how I don't miss those.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you seem to thrive in the Alaskan environment and you get your vacation and work trips to the warmer climates. Although I think we all envy you a little bit with your balmy temperatures and endless sunshine for those few months in the summer.
Even now, sunset isn't until about 9pm and it doesn't really get dark until after 10. Today, the wind has died down and it's starting to look like it'll be a nice day.
DeleteRichard, if it weren't for the snow hazzard and cold, the daylight hours would make for ideal riding - no rush to get where you're going cause the day never ends. I am beginning to understand the Ural more and more.
ReplyDeletePS Have to agree, much prefer snow to rain for the day to day bit.
Last summer, when I left on my trip it never really got dark. As I was heading south, I all of a sudden had to deal with dark and I had rarely ever riden in the dark.
DeleteRichard:
ReplyDeleteYou are right about preferring snow over rain. Even we get tired of grey, dreary, dark, cloudy & wet days. When it does snow (rarely) it always looks so fresh and bright until it turns to slush but such is life down here on the Wet Coast.
I think having a Hack is perfect for where you live to extend your riding season, you should looking into a 2wd Ural instead . . .
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
2WD would be nice sometimes but I think it would be limited. I preferred to use the bike I already had instead of looking for something else.
DeleteThe fresh snow here is extremely bright white right now. You can get a headache just by going outside. The sun is high and the sky is crystal clear. Very nice weather...
As to Bobskoot's comment re looking into a 2WD Ural Richard,...sure it's nice but your rig should be fine for plowed roads. There's a saying amongst the Uralisti....2WD will get you stuck about 100 ft farther in than 1WD.....
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I love my 2WD in the really slippery conditions!
I heard that said about 4WD but I think it was only 25 feet further down the road. And usually sunk to the axles.
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