I had lunch with a friend today. Rod talks about everything political and environmental. One of the things the conversation ran onto was the ice being lost in the Arctic.
So that reminded me of my first meeting with permafrost. I was a little prairie boy and very familiar with the outdoors.
I spent three years in Inuvik , NWT. I spent as much time outdoors and on the land as I could. I bought a small cabin with a friend. The cabin was about 15 miles out of town. It was about `14 ft by 18 ft.
Now the cabin also came with an outdoor biffy. I took one look at it and I said this will never do. I haven't forgotten that this is about permafrost. So prairie boy me said I will just dig a new hole for the biffy. I rolled up my sleeves, got the shovel and started. On the surface there is moss and lichens. I cleared that stuff out of the way in minutes. Then to my astonishment there was ice. Only ice below the moss and lichens. The ice was hard as rock so I had to give up digging a new hole. So my plan was to come out the next weekend and the ice would be thawed, I thought . Well very little of the ice had thawed. After several weeks of this I had a hole of about one foot deep.
For being in the Arctic , I was very naive about permafrost. Most white guys didn't walk off the sidewalk. I did and it was interesting.
I would like to go back today and see how much of the permafrost is gone. We know that much of the sea ice is gone.
I love the word "biffy" but not necessarily what happens in a biffy. You are right - it would be fascinating for you to go back to the Inuvik area to see how things have changed.
ReplyDeleteThere is a picture series of Inuvik so I get what the town looks like. The cabin actually burned in a forest fire after I left.
DeleteI have seen articles with photos of villages sinking because of permafrost melt. Also mammoths in Russia defrosting....
ReplyDelete
Deletethere are places in Alaska where that happens.
The loss of permafrost and the sea ice is not a good thing.
ReplyDeleteTake care, happy Monday! Wishing you a happy week!
These two are a very dismal example of climate change.
DeleteIt would be interesting and probably shocking to see how much of the permafrost is gone from that area, Red.
ReplyDeleteI think there has been a big change .
DeleteIt is frightening to realise how much ice is being lost each year. Fresh water, also, is not infinite.
ReplyDeleteBoth Arctic and Ant Arctic are losing ice.
DeleteLearning takes many forms.
ReplyDeleteYou still remember that from your school days.
DeleteRed, you have had so many great adventures and learned so many things that I know nothing about. I always enjoy these stories of yours.
ReplyDeleteI went to places very few people went. I was single and could do what I wanted.
DeleteI have watched a television show down here called "Gold Rush" for many years and they struggle with the permafrost at times and they are in huge bulldozers and excavators. I can't imagine trying to tackle it with just a shovel.
ReplyDeleteHeavy equipment has not been good for permafrost. It disturbs the covering over the ice.
DeleteAn awful lot is disappearing all over the world.
ReplyDeleteThe antarctic seems to loose massive amounts of ice.
DeleteWhat an adventure! You described the shock at the permafrost perfectly well.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I was so surprised to see the permafrost.
DeleteI've seen news footage of the melting ice in the Arctic. It will definitely change the way of life.
ReplyDeleteYour stories are funny!
ReplyDeleteThat would have taken a long time:)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThose changes to the ice, both sea ice and the permafrost, will be interesting in the future.
ReplyDeleteI was about to ask if you managed to dig your hole in the summer. Then I realised: it was PERMAfrost.
ReplyDeleteA great memory Red and I am impressed you got off the beaten path. That is an education in itself.
ReplyDeleteDear Red your adventure stories inspire me always and I feel little envious lol because deep inside my heart I wanted to live most part of my life outdoors exploring nature and it’s wonders 🥹♥️
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ReplyDeleteLove learning about these things, thanks Red!
ReplyDeleteIs Red okay?
ReplyDeleteYour adventures are remarkable dear Red 👍
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading them ♥️