Unsticking a very stuck drill piece

During last year's research season a drill bit (the sharp pointed end) got stuck in rock and ice about 6 feet into the earth. Then the bit separated from the "drill string"  (the very long part that looks like a screw). And as fate would have it the string also got stuck. Hours were spent trying to free the string. The bit was assumed lost forever.

There were two reasons to try and retrieve the piece. 1) It was darn expensive about $5,000 I think (my memory today is suffering from travel fatigue) 2) Using only practices that "limit the impact on the environment" does not include leaving 6 feet of metal in the earth to eventually rust and decompose.

During the long winter the ice seemed to get a stronger grip on the string.

As this year's season came to an end the "science guys" stepped back and let the guys who do mechanics and use brute force take a stab at the string.  Ben and Jesse (with the help of many others at camp)finally, got the string free on August 3rd. NASA will be providing them with a financial reward for their efforts.

What they ended up doing was digging through the ice and rock around the drill.

An attempt on Tuesday to loosen the drill stings be using various vehicles to pull it out

Moon 1 Humvee on Drill Hill

 

  

 Your arctic Explorer/Teacher Julie is currently in Yellowknife, Canada waiting for a plane to got to Edmonton, Canada. I'll be home in the morning.