As we count down the days to our departure for Alaska, we are all helping out to get our instrumentation assembled and trying to buy our last minute glacier gear.  Earlier this week, I helped Dr. Jackson continue to set up the data collection boxes. Using a soldering iron and the ever-trusty JB Weld, I sealed up some of the extra openings on the boxes and attached wires to the battery units and to the coupler.

Soldering away

My finished products

The boxes will hold the data collection device that will record data on temperature, wind speed, and wind direction on the glacier.  The device is battery operated, so it needs to stay dry for the few days that we will leave it out in the field.  Once we get all of the instruments assembled, we just have to break in our new hiking boots and we’ll be ready to go!