So I'm going to the North Pole (this Friday)

[Brooksie967]

So, I'm actually not going to THE north pole but I'll be about 800km from it; I'm actually going to the very northern tip of Ellesmere Island with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), to partake in an Arctic mission.

CFS Alert is the most northernly constantly occupied place on the planet (cool eh?). We've been having 30 degree Celsius (mid 80 degree F) weather where I live and found out that the AVERAGE temperature is going to be around -6C (21.2F).
If you guys haven't heard/researched this place before, I encourage you to.

A buddy system is in place in Alert: You can't go outside, ever, at all, alone due to the number of arctic wolves/polar bears in the area and you have to sign out and back in every time you leave the area.

First question: Has anyone ever dealt with drastic climate change before? I've gone from cold to the dessert and back so I'm thinking it might be similar.

Second: Has anyone been far enough north to deal with constant daylight/lack thereof?

Third Question: Has anyone been up to this location? If so, any tips/tricks/sights I should see?? I'm really hoping to see the northern lights.

 

[treewhale]

I lived in Peace River for a year, as far as northern lights go, you are in for the treat of a lifetime. Mesmerizing.

As far as lack of daylight, I would go a week at a time without sunlight due to my working conditions. Get a high output full spectrum lamp and use it for an hour in the morning every day. Keeps the generalized sadness away.

As for the cold, you will get used to it quick. It will suck for a couple of days, but then it will seem normal. That's what happens for me when I get back to Edmonton from South.

 

[cb91710]

Done a few trips from Los Angeles to Mammoth and Alaska (both in winter) so going from "cold" being "I think I need a jacket" to below the freezing point of water. Anchorage was running around 18^f daytime high the week I was there, Bishop was around that in the morning but would warm up to the mid 20s.
The adjustments when getting there only took a couple of days... but I was working outdoors and exposed all day.
Had I spent more time there, I think adjusting to the heat returning home would have been more difficult.

But if the station is running daytime highs above 20^f and you won't be there through the winter, I don't think it's going to be a big deal at all for you.

 

[Brooksie967]

Thanks for the advice guys!

I'm bringing my Sony A77 and a bunch of lenses on the trip and really hope I get a chance to see some fireworks in the sky and wildlife on the ground! The only thing I'm not looking forward to is dealing with mess food again

 

[cb91710]

As far as lack of daylight, I would go a week at a time without sunlight due to my working conditions. Get a high output full spectrum lamp and use it for an hour in the morning every day. Keeps the generalized sadness away.

It's "daytime" right now. Sunrise is at 2:42am, sunset is 11:24pm.

I thought it was north of the circle and only had one sunrise/sunset per year. Interesting. How far north do you have to be for that?

 

[Brooksie967]

It's "daytime" right now. Sunrise is at 2:42am, sunset is 11:24pm.

I thought it was north of the circle and only had one sunrise/sunset per year. Interesting. How far north do you have to be for that?

I've been told there will be a 'dip' in the sun but not much more than that. I guess I'll have to figure that out

 

[cb91710]

Ahh... Interesting, I got that confused.
The Arctic Circle notes where there is ONE 24 hour period with or without the sun being above the horizon.

So how far north do you have to go before you only have one "day" and one "night" per year?

I've been told there will be a 'dip' in the sun but not much more than that. I guess I'll have to figure that out

Ya, because the sun is not a pinpoint, and with atmospheric refraction, there is actually a 50-minute area north and south of the circle where the sun is visible/not visible on both the summer and winter solstice.

 

[Brooksie967]

Ahh... Interesting, I got that confused.
The Arctic Circle notes where there is ONE 24 hour period with or without the sun being above the horizon.

So how far north do you have to go before you only have one "day" and one "night" per year?





Ya, because the sun is not a pinpoint, and with atmospheric refraction, there is actually a 50-minute area north and south of the circle where the sun is visible/not visible on both the summer and winter solstice.

Not sure but to get further north than I'm going you'd have to have some kind of special guide I'm sure.

 

[cb91710]

I would imagine so.

So I assume that you are not one of the population of 5 that will remain in Alert through the winter?

 

[Brooksie967]

I would imagine so.

So I assume that you are not one of the population of 5 that will remain in Alert through the winter?

My stay will be fairly short. As much as I'd love to experience the winter up there (really truly), I'd miss the wife, kid and doberman too much.

 

[Legion]

If you see something that looks like a sleigh being pulled by reindeer's flying overhead... don't shoot it down. That's all I have.

 

[one cut]

Second: Has anyone been far enough north to deal with constant daylight/lack thereof?

In the summer I would put aluminum foil in the windows of my room so I could get some sleep.
I remember being up at two in the morning thinking it was two in the afternoon and wondering where every one was and why everything was closed.

If you are going to be there only a short time it should not be a problem.


First question: Has anyone ever dealt with drastic climate change before?


The secret is layers, lots and lots of layer's. Keep slightly cool, you do not want to sweat because then your cloths will get damp or wet.
Damp or wet cloths will cool you out fast. I have had tee shirts and pants freeze stiff as a board on me.
layer your Socks to. super thin cotton socks on your feet then wool socks over that.

label your Canada goose jacket, every one has the same jacket so people pick up the wrong jacket by mistake all the time.

 

[Brooksie967]

I actually have all our military arctic kit issued to me but I'm thinking at -6 I won't be wearing that.

 

[one cut]

-6 Celsius? That is fine I wear my motercycle jacket in that weather.
-6 fahrenheit and its a bit chilly around the ears.

I like small remote bases, how long is your short stay going to be ?

 

[cb91710]

-6 Celsius? That is fine I wear my motercycle jacket in that weather.
-6 fahrenheit and its a bit chilly around the ears.

+1
I've never been in temps below +10^f, but -6^c is downright pleasantly "brisk" even to this Californian.
I wouldn't call it "shirt sleeves" weather... I'd be wearing a jacket and wool cap, but I wouldn't be wearing more than jeans and heavy socks. Hands would be in my pockets unless I need them, or gloved.

 

[Lesmore]

Don't watch the movie..."The Thing"...before you go. That's my best advice.

 

[Brooksie967]

-6 Celsius? That is fine I wear my motercycle jacket in that weather.
-6 fahrenheit and its a bit chilly around the ears.

I like small remote bases, how long is your short stay going to be ?

That's the average temp and I agree, I wear a light jacket in that weather. I'm used to the cold, being Canadian I've dealt with many a winter where temperatures were -40C and below with the wind chill.

 

[oldbluelight]

Avoid all aftershaves that even slightly smell like seal and all shave soaps or creams that feature blubber instead of tallow. Good luck Brooksie.

 

[Brooksie967]

Avoid all aftershaves that even slightly smell like seal and all shave soaps or creams that feature blubber instead of tallow. Good luck Brooksie.

I have actually been thinking about what I should bring with me. I want to "feel" warm when I'm in the cold so I'm thinking some Bay Rum and other warm scented items along.

 

[sarimento1]

You'll have a blast.
recently returned from 10 day cruise around Spitsbergen aka Svalbard.
we got as far as 81 deg, almost 600 mi from the pole.
weather was tolerable still in early August, lowest was about -4C.
Now, first sunset has already happened, but only a few hours of darkness, so just take blindfold.
Anything that was green should now be turning red and purple and orange for just a week or so.
and you might get the first snow f the season.
post some of your pictures. Here are a couple of mine.
and since we were in Norwegian territories, I brought my travel kit with Fitjars nice Shea buttery soap!
Cheers!!