Over the Arctic Ice

As I write this I'm flying at 170 Knots over the arctic ocean somewhere between Barter Island (Kaktovik) and Barrow, Alaska. The GPS map shows we're approaching Lake Iliama, the second largest lake in Alaska. I was selected to attend the graduation ceremony at Harold Kaveolook School and take a charter with a school board member and the superintendent. The superintendent wasn't able to make the flight, so my co-worker went in his place. We were able to do a little technical work here and there, but mainly to celebrate with the community.

Kaktovik was able to graduation 8 seniors this year (2007), the largest class ever. All eight seniors passed the high school qualifying equivalency exam and their graduation rate was 100% - wonderful!

I fear if our plane goes down - we have a long hike to land, being somewhere off the coast and out over arctic ice. I see nothing but white white white in all directions, and two days ago the sun stopped going down so even though it is 11 PM you'd think it was noon.

I've been scanning the pack-ice for polar bears, but I haven't spotted anything. It is very difficult to spot Polar Bears in the wild because of their near perfect camouflage. If it wasn't for their black nose and eyes they might be invisible, albeit it they are slightly more yellow than the surrounding snow.

The GPS shows were still 30 miles outside of Barrow and we have not climbed higher than 2000 feet the whole journey. I don't suspect our glide ratio would take us back over land, but if we did survive the crash I don't intend to die of exposure - thus the arctic jacket, gloves, insulated overalls, and -60 degree rated boots. The scouts motto - be prepared, or die.

Contratulations Harold Kaveolook School and the community of Kaktovik!