April 26, 2008

After leaving Calgary at 12:00 PM on April 23rd, I have finally arrived safe and sound on the CCGS Amundsen at 8:00 PM on April 24th at the southern tip of Banks Island (~Latitude 123°W, Longitude 71°N; near Cape Lambton and Nelson Head). The scenery is more spectacular than I remember from my time in Franklin Bay, though I am now located just across the Amundsen Gulf from my previous field work in April-June of 2004.

The vast white wonder has me anxious to start new experiments. The ship, and the placement of everything on it, is regaining familiarity; I’ve settled into my cabin with a whirlwind of organization. I’ve recognized a few faces and have met new colleagues who will no doubt become good friends by the end of my time here. Being in the field, particularly in a remote location, with a group of scientists from areas of research so disparate but with a common goal gives me motivation and purpose that is hard to describe. Tomorrow will come too soon for sleep, but not soon enough for the thoughts and plans of science. The Sun will be up until 1:30 AM and will reappear at 4:00 AM, long after and long before me.

- Chris Fuller