We have drilled a second core through the ice to bedrock, and are done at our first site. Unfortunately, the helicopter that we need to move the heavy pieces to our second planned spot is down for regular maintenance until next Monday, June 21. That means the team must wait it out at the relatively sheltered “saddle camp” until then.
Here are two spectacular pictures, taken from the helicopter, of the landscape we are up against.
Lower left is our camp; those tiny orange dots are the tents. Our first drilling site, now done, is top center. (click to view enlargment). Four-photo mosaic panorama by Paul Warren, PT Freeport Indonesia.
This shows our camp and first drill site (left) in context with the second planned drill site (right). Now you see why we can’t just hike over there with the equipment. (click to view enlargement). 13-image mosaic panorama by Paul Warren, PT Freeport Indonesia.
