SoloIce3 Expedition Communications Code Key LAT = latitude. This is the distance in degrees from the equator: on this expedition, I'm always above the equator, around 64 degrees North. If the number increases, I've moved North a little; if it decreases, I've moved South a little.
Latitude lines indicate distane above or below the equator (Latitude zero). They increase as one moves from the equator, from 0 at the equator to 90 degrees at the North or South poles. Longitude lines measure distance East or West from Greenwich, England, a global reference point also known as the 'Prime Meridian'. The illustration below basically illustrates the system. The black dot is Iceland, at roughly 15-18 degrees West of Greenwich (the Longitude lines are in 2-degree increments) and roughly 60 degrees North (the Latitude lines are in 10-degree increments).
LONG = longitude. This is the distance in degrees from the Greenwich Meridian in England, or Longitude 0. This number will be changing the most, as I make my way Eastwards from the West end of the ice cap. At the start, I'll be around 18 degrees East, and I'll work my way to roughly 15 degrees East, so my Longitude numbers will be decreasing as I move East.
ELEV = elevation. This is my elevation in meters. I will begin around 400m on the West side of the ice cap; the ice cap plateau is about 1,500m, and this is where I will spend most of my time. There is no problem with altitude sickness at this low elevation: people normally begin to feel altitude effects above roughly 2,000m-3,000m. One meter = 3.28 feet.
TEMP = temperature. This is the temperature in degrees Farenheit. Windchill is also computed. Temperatures were not normally extreme, but the fluctuation around freezing makes for a bone-splitting, diabolically penetrating, wet, wet cold.
PRESS = atmospheric pressure. This is the atmospheric pressure in millibars (explained further below). Atmospheric pressure changes as weather changes: lower pressure trends indicate approaching poor weather, while higher pressure trends indicate clearing. Average pressure on an average day near sea level just about anywhere on the earth is around 1000mb. In a bad storm, I once registered a low of 888mb. Pressure decreases as elevation increases, however, so for the first few days, as I climb to the ice cap plateay, pressure can be expected to decrease a bit: it will increase as I descend, as well. On the plateau, however, watching the pressure trend over a day or two can be helpful in identifying weather changes. The best conditions are clear (high pressure) and cold (well below freezing).
Earth's atmosphere is made of gasses, and although gas is light, it does have mass. Measurements of atmospheric pressure are often recorded in units called Pascals (Pa). A 1-kilogram (2.2lb) mass exerts aabout 10Pa on any surface. However, while Pa is used for some measurements, atmospheric pressure is normally reported in millibars (mb), which is what I use. 100Pa = about 1mb, and, as I noted, an average Earth surface pressure is somewhere around 1000mb.
WIND VEL = wind velocity. This is the wind velocity in miles per hour.
WIND DIR = wind direction. This is the average wind direction of the day. As with several wearther reports, I will record at morning, noon and evening, but on the web page I'm only reporting the daily averages. Wind direction is noted as the direction from which the wind is blowing. This is reported in the standard 16 'points of the compass', for example NW for Northwest, and SSE for South/Southeast. The following compass 'card' indicates these points:
CLOUD = cloud cover. This is an approximation of the amount of clear sky visible. I use a code devised by British meteorologists to monitor weather on their island, where cloud cover changes frequently, as it does in Iceland:
0=0 eighths (completely clear sky)
1=1/8th
2=2/8ths
3=3/8ths
4=4/8ths
5=5/8ths
6=6/8ths
7=7/8ths
8=8/8ths (completely overcast sky)
9=sky obscured (low fog: cannot see sky)VIS = visibility. Average daily distance I can see, in meters (1m=3.28 feet and 1km=.621 statute miles):
0=Zero (heavy fog)
1=1-10m
2=11-50m
3=51m-1km
4=>1kmPRECIP = daily precipitation. This indicates the nature of precipitation. This is a code I have devised based on terminology developed by NOAA, modified slightly for my own purposes and the conditions in Iceland.
0=No Precipitation
1=Rain
2=Freezing Rain
3=Snow
4=Heavy Snow
5=Blizzard (loose snow being blown through the air)SURF = predominant surface of the day. This is a code I have devised for conditions I have encountered and expect again in Iceland:
0=Exposed Ice (crevasses)
1=Exposed Ice (no crevasses)
2=Exposed Ice, dusted with snow (if crevassed, uncrossable snow bridges)
3=Exposed Ice, dusted with snow (if crevassed, crossable snow bridges)
4=Patches of Exposed Ice (mostly good pack of snow)
5=Solid snow cover, no sastrugi (wind-sculpted snow ridges)
6=Solid snow cover with sastrugi
7=Drift snow (snow drifting across ice cap surface)
8=Heavy Drift SnowACTIVITY = predominant activity of the day. This is a code I have devised specifically for this expedition:
COMMENT = Comment for the day. I may be able to spare a little battery power on occasion to make a comment. Chuck Sullivan and John Haslett will also make occasional comments here.
0=None; pinned down by poor weather / storm
1=None; remained in camp to repair gear
2=None; remained in camp for medical reason
3=None; remained in camp to rest
4=Travelled; poor day (not as far as I would have liked)
5=Travelled; average day (abour as far as I would have liked)
6=Travelled; very good day (exceeded my expectations for the day)D TODAY = Distance travelled today, in miles.
D TO DATE = Distance travelled so far, in miles.
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