Day 1: Landing & Settling In
By: Laura, Madison, Evelyn, and Kaytlen
Today, February 3rd, we've landed, and settled in nicely in Churchill.
We landed here around 9am. When we first got off the plane, we couldn't believe just how cold it was. At a brisk -49 degrees (with the windchill,) we were shivering until we got on the bus to the CNSC.. and still cold for many minutes after.
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The Churchill Northern Studies Centre is a lavish research centre 20 kilometres (about 30 minutes) out of Churchill. We got a tour of the place, then were given safety briefings while petting adorable puppies!
After that, everyone got settled in their respective rooms and unwinded until lunch.
The food here is absolutely amazing. Almost all the pastries are made in the centre, and are delicious! We've had homemade bread every meal here so far.
In the afternoon, we slaved over a quinzhee. We built it by mixing up the snow, then packing it down into a huge orb.
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After completion of that step, we were rewarded with hot chocolate from the cafeteria.
We had to wait for the quinzhee to freeze over for about an hour, so we spent that time lounging around and unthawing from outside. It was so cold outside, that we were at risk of getting frostbite if we had our gloves off for a mere 30 seconds! Our goggles would frost if we took them off, then put that back on, just because of the change in temperature.
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After hot chocolate, we went back outside to hollow out the now-frozen quinzhee. Weould fit up to 4 people into the finished quinzhee, with room to spare!
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Throughout the day and night, people watched for the Aurora Borealis through a plexiglassed-over hole in the roof. We saw the sunset beautifully (although quickly) through this port, and continue to anxiously await seeing the Northern Lights.
In conclusion, today we've made a quinzhee, watched for the Aurora Borealis, and gotten fully settled in Churchill.
Once it was built, how much warmer was it inside the quinzhee than outside? Did anyone volunteer to sleep in the quinzhee tonight?
ReplyDeleteIt was much warmer inside the quinzhee. We learned about building a sleeping platform to maximize the warm and avoid the cold air falling to the bottom. No volunteers to sleep out, but several students have slept out in a quinzhee in their past experiences. Lots of learning and lots of fun so far.
DeleteMr. Grant
Did you ask how the food gets to Churchill? Is it grown there?
ReplyDeleteThe food is delivered by train to Churchill.
DeleteHello Middle School students and teachers. I was wondering if you were able to see the Aurora Borealis. If so, what was it like?
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you've all been busy and are really having a terrific time! Glad to see everyone is dressed in head to toe warm clothing. You are all adventurers....keep the posts coming! Today, fifteen of us went to the Food Studio and learned how to make Sushi and Mexican Lasagna...although the pictures of the lunch you ate on Day 1, look delicious.
ReplyDeleteWe were able to see the Aurora Borealis, but it was dim.
ReplyDelete