Using the snowmobile... in June!

This week just gone, we've been extending the reindeer fence... vertically. Due to the depth of the snow in this last season it has been possible for reindeer (and elk!) to get into the KAIRA compound. Therefore, we've gone around the entire perimeter and have added some additional height to all the fence posts. We'll be stringing out some additional wire later.

In order to get this work done, we've brought a snowmobile to the site. Why? Because there was at least a little bit of snow left and any excuse will do to use the observatory snowmobile.

The snowmobile arrives (Photo: D. McKay-Bukowski)

Loading up the snowmobile and trailer. (Photo: D. McKay-Bukowski)

Patrolling the perimeter fence. (Photo: D. McKay-Bukowski)

Frozen river

Today's photograph is from Sodankylä. It was taken from the bridge over the Kitinen River, looking southwards. At this time of the year, the river is frozen and it serves as a "road" for the snowmobile traffic. You can see the tracks in the snow on the frozen river surface.

Kitinen River, seen from the bridge at Sodankylä (Photo: D. McKay-Bukowski)

Notice how high the midday sun is now. It is lovely to have those few hours of sunshine. After the kaamos, one really appreciates the glimmers of sun light.

The reindeer fence

The reindeer fence is holding up well. Not only have we kept the reindeer out of the antenna fields, but it is also surviving well against the snow. The fence is of timber posts with open wire mesh. Because the antennas are up on a mound, the fence is below the ground plane in most places and therefore does not interfere with the radio signal.

Looking along the reindeer fence towards Norway. The HBA array
is on the mound up on the right. (Photo: D. McKay-Bukowski)

Alongside the lower part of the compound, there is the main snowmobile trail that runs from Finland to Norway. It runs just next to the fence and can be seen in places marked with a red diagonal cross.

The corner of the compound. Saana is in the background and the trail
leads off down past the customs station. (Photo: D. McKay-Bukowski)

We've now put up additional reflective markers  along this fence to ensure it is visible in the dark. We wouldn't want a snowmobile to accidentally run into it!

Checking the fences

Today we have come more photographs from the recent site visit. One thing that is important to check is the condition of the fences. not just that they remain intact, but also that they are not dangerous to others... be it wildlife or people.

At this time of year, the work is done by snowmobile and snow-trailer.

Here the snow is quite deep!

Patrolling along the boundary.

Photos by: T Iinatti.

Snow mobile trail

Along the south east edge of the site, there is a trail that runs along the reindeer fence. This is marked with red-crossed-posts to show the way. There is not much traffic along this path, which runs from Finland to Norway, but there were still a few lines in the snow.

The snow-mobile trail that runs past the KAIRA site.

Note that although the fence is metal, it is nearly 10 metres below the level of the HBA tiles, thus well out of the way and not a problem in terms of reflections into the system.

Snowmobiles

In the Arctic, one form of winter transport is the snowmobile. These vehicles — half-tracked, half-skis — are used to traverse terrain that is completely covered in ice and snow and that is generally inaccessible to other vehicles.

One of the KAIRA team during a snowmobile
expedition in late march. (Photo: Th. Ulich)

Although they can go just about anywhere, there are certain paths that are marked across the landscape that are for 'regular' snowmobile traffic. These paths are marked with crossed red bars on posts to indicate the way.

A snowmobile trail post. (Photo: D. McKay-Bukowski)

When looking at photographs of the KAIRA site, you may see some of these markers in the background, as there is a marked snowmobile trail in the vicinity of the proposed KAIRA low-band array.