Regardless of what Nick Stokes does on CSI, using Ground Penetrating Radar is not that easy. For one thing, our unit only costs $35,000 which means it doesn’t roll, doesn’t have a GPS and comes in three distinct pieces.

On Sunday we learned that our GPR unit’s two collection device have to be continually separated by one meter and that the unit’s brain which had to be kept five full meters away and was tethered to the first two devices by an optical data cable. Since our economy model doesn’t have wheels, Dr. Pete Krenshaw employs Earthwatchers (a cheaper, but perhaps less reliable source of power)... the lead person will be responsible for moving the first unit forward exactly 25 cm each time, the second person will make sure that the second unit is exactly a meter behind the first and exactly parallel to it. The third person, the brain, responds to the unit drivers’ command, “Measure”, and makes the hand held computer do that. They’re also responsible for telling the movers where they’re supposed to be and recording any anomalies into the data record. A 4th person, the cord manager, makes sure the optical cable doesn’t get kinked, wet or stepped on. While we were working in the fens, a swampy waterlogged flat land that consisted of large puddles lacily connected by hummocks of beige plants and underplayed by a boot sucking bog, we discovered the need for a fifth person... someone who would keep the tape measure turned and visible and help the lead person correctly position the first radar antenna.
On Sunday afternoon we trundled out to the Tundra Site. Using Markers from years’ past Dr. Pete mapped out exactly where he wanted us to take measurements. He supervised the beginning efforts and then set about repairing the damage a polar bear had done to his meteorological station. Carly, a colourfully-tattooed, straight-talking charmer stood guard with her loaded shotgun and a walkie –talkie and the rest of us formed into our voluntary work gangs. “Twenty-Five” the brain would yell, and the two antenna people get into position, parallel themselves, keep themselves a meter apart and yell, “Measure”. “50” yells the brain, and the antenna people repeat the process, tell her to measure and move forward another 25 cm, and so we happily progressed, across 50 to 100 meters of arctic landscape.
We worked hard and thought we were doing a good job but on Monday Pete showed us the data and there were a few blips. Then he took us out into really challenging territiory....

Sunday night was Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year... The sun, which had risen at 4:03 didn’t set until right around eleven o’clock. We were all at the bonfire waiting to watch it happen.