Reality sets in - this is going to be work

We arrived at Devon Island and I helped unload the plane, Mostly supplies and equipment for the Camp which included a 55 gallon gas drum which was in the passenger compartment of the plane.   




Imagine a picture of people frantically running around unloading stuff. Because I was too busy to take a picture.

As soon as everything was off the plane John Schutt, Anna-Lisa Paul (one of the researchers and I head to camp. In the center of camp is a small wood building. It’s has 7 sides and is called the Core. One of the 7 doors was open so there was a moment of concern.  Off each side is a semi permanent tent. I was taken to the mess tent.  I guess I naively thought when they left each year the left the kitchen in working order and all we had to do was connect a few cords and instant kitchen. Well that’s not how it was.  Everything except the refrigerator was wrapped in plastic and set on shelves and in bins.  There was water on many of the surfaces and a couple large puddles. Nothing is water proof when under snow for 6+ months. The refrigerator was moldy and there were dirty dishes in the sink, we got to work. I think the pictures tell the story better than I can.

My Dream Kitchen

  

Dinner is served  2 hours later. Notice the clean table

 

Gross moment of the day was opening a large cooler and finding the dished from the last meal last year all green and furry. In defense of those who left camp a mess. They had been ready to leave when a weather issue came up and stranded them at camp for several days with just minimal supplies and no electricity or propane for the regular stove. I was amazed and I think everyone else was when I had ham and cheese sandwiches and veggies ready for dinner at 7:30.  

Not all the food that I had rushed around buying the last two day made it on the plane. Deciding what to take and what to leave in Resolute was a very spur of the moment event. Things got taken and other things left behind. Of course everything was being thrown around as baggage so… . Bagels ended up at the bottom of a bin. We had ham for sandwiches but no mayo or mustard.  We did get lots of the fresh fruit and veggies

Clean up is hard right now. The water pump is not working so someone has to walk or ride an ATV to the water source (pond or puddle depending on who you talk to) to collect water and then all waste water has to be cleared of all particles (within reason) and taken out back to the gray water evaporation area.

I spent the night cleaning and unwrapping kitchen supplies.