halfway there

93 days spent freezing in the Arctic circle. 93 days spent in isolation. 93 days spent exploring. 93 days left.

I think being isolated up here really puts your life into perspective. You think of all the things each day you take for granted; driving to the store, seeing friends, being able to walk outside for more than a half hour without the painful reminder of how far North you really are. Without the proper equipment, there is no way you could survive. I think that's why I find Alert so fascinating, so few people get to truly experience what it's like to long for the light of day and to rely so heavily on infrastructure and each person around you, it's truly awe inspiring. We really are a family.

I read a great quote this morning: "men travel the world in search of what they need and return home to find it". I have found truth in these words now more than ever. I currently am closer to the capital of Russia  than to my home but, tomorrow marks the one week countdown until (hopefully) I will be able to go home for a 2 week break. I can't even contain my excitement and it presently is all I think about.

This past week and a bit was quite busy for me, preparing to give my handover for the member coming to fill in for me during my absence, cancelled planes, school work, bad weather (first blizzard was last Friday!) and simply just trying to contain myself as the countdown shrinks with each passing minute.

Things I can't wait for:

• A dirty McDonalds supper
• A dirty McDonalds breakfast
• A haircut 
• A hug from each member of my family
• Being picked up from the airport
• WARMTH

I hope you are having a great week so far ( I am despite the cancellations!)  and keep your fingers crossed for me that my planes come in on time, swiftly and safely. ♥

 

Wolves

I drove up to the Met shack to see a stunning, yet frightening sight. There were eight wolves outside and I was in my truck waiting to be able to get inside the building. If there was one thing that was for sure, I was not going outside with one wolf - let alone eight wolves roaming around! So I sat and I waited. 

They ran around the truck a few times while I sat there and watched. They were playing, rolling around in the snow and "marking their territory". This kind of made me feel weird because does this now mean I'm part of the territory or am I invading? Either way, I don't like it. They starting fighting and nipping at each other and once glimpse of the teeth was enough to remind me to stay put. A giant ball of fur that weighs roughly the same as me with razor sharp teeth and large claws + its gang of seven? Not happening. 

I honked my horn, I howled at them, I used an air horn but it was all to waste. They roamed as they pleased and finally took off after about 15 minutes. I ran as fast as I could inside the building and then, as I'm sure they could sense my fear, they came back, sat outside my window and looked at me as I typed away at my email. 

They are much more beautiful from inside. I really like the "Zoo" approach where you won't be attacked or be the next meal and you can observe from the safety and warmth of the office. The last is a picture of why I'm still scared, not so cute now, hey? Yikes!

Until next time, here is something that inspired me this morning.

5 simple steps to happiness: 

Free your heart from hatred
Free your mind from worries
Live simply
Give more 
Expect less

xo

an effulgent moon

It was the first time in weeks you could see beyond the runway. The moon was ablaze, pouring light across this barren land. I could see the cracks in the sea ice that spreads for miles around. I could see the mountains looming shape across the horizon. For the first time in weeks, I could see.

I woke up at 0530 this morning and did some yoga. I finished with sun salutations to the moon; who would have thought? It’s amazing how much of a difference any amount of light makes here. Today however, after weeks of a moonless existence it seemed as though the sun had arisen and you could finally peer into the dark and see some of your surroundings.

It was an opportune moment that I ventured outside, the ice crystals settled, the winds became calm and you could hear the rumble of the ice beneath its frozen blanket. The light northerly breeze licked my ears and face with a painful burn. Again, it stung.

People tell me I’m foolish for wandering outside in the cold; I tell them they’re foolish for missing some of the amazing sights we have gone weeks without seeing. Standing there, on the frozen banks with my tripod and camera, I could finally see what has been covered by the dark unforgiving blanket of the endless night.

These photos were totally worth the freezing cold, the painful numbness that creeps into your extremities and chills you to the core. In this particular instance, with the bone chilling cold and the land being almost completely barren, it is beautiful. You stand here realizing so few people get to see this and that is why it is worth the freezing trips outside, the hours spent slathering on lotion to the burn you received in minutes and finally the trips running between the camera and truck: it is worth it, to be able to share.

week two random mash up

This is the hoar frost that coats everything. This happens when the white ice crystals, loosely deposited on the ground or exposed objects, that form on cold clear nights. This is when heat losses into the open skies cause objects to become colder than the surrounding air. Sceince aside, even the walls sparkle. I like it.

Lights of a plane through a plexi glass window. Too chilly for me to be outside.. not to mention into the blowing snow!

This is where I spend a large chunk of time... and I mean large. 1am until 3pm today large.

Looks like we have another visitor!

This is what happens when you toss a glass of boiling water into the cool -38 degree air.

I'm still smiling.

 

Visitors

I have never felt as much excitement and fear at one single point in my life. I saw the wolves.

These Arctic Wolves (Canis lupus arctos) are one of the few natural inhabitants of this area. They have been native here for over two million years. This type of wolf is the only of its kind that is not threatened. This is due to the fact of rarely encountering humans. This means, instead of fearing to be hunted, they are more curious when they see us. Although inquisitive, a long drawn out yawn and one glimpse at their sharp teeth was enough to make me back away.

They are a perfect balance between scary and beautiful. I sat, crouched outside the door talking to this animal, that I know could tear me to shreds if it felt the need to. Swallowing my fear and trying to remain calm, my heart pulsed in my throat (again) but I tried not to let it show through to my exterior. We all know that animals sense your fear, he must have known how truly scared I was. Petrified.

It lied down and licked at the snow, rubbing its paws on its face like a puppy. It was in this moment that I wanted to run over, snuggle into its soft white fur and let him warm me up. I named him Snowy - original I know. He almost had a smile and looked friendly. Friendly enough to eat me, I quickly reminded myself. I will definitely be keeping my distance but it was such an amazing feeling to be so close to such an intriguing and wild animal.

Although Snowy was weary around us, flinching at my every move, we encountered the pack later on. The wolves behavior changed quite visibly to pack mentality. They became more aggressive and were quick to let you know that you were in their territory. I wasn't leaving the truck this time that's for sure. There were about 10 of them running in circles around our parked vehicle and it was in this moment that it reminded me we are invading their land and home, not vice versa.

Due to relatively little contact with this species, little is known about them. I feel incredibly privileged to be able to say I saw Snowy, six feet in front of me. It was an amazing experience I won't soon forget.