Khoseda weather stationWhen approaching the Khosedayu camp we started seeing more signs of human activities. A pipeline was the most evident example but there were also many roads and other disturbances in the tundra. The helicopter set down on the ruins of the once flourishing village Khoseda-Khard. The only buildings now remaining at Khoseda-Khard belong to a governmental Meteorological and Hydrological monitoring station.

When we stepped out of the helicopter we found that the weather had finally changed towards slightly cooler temperatures. The helicopter left for Inta and civilization, taking a large part of our group with it. In return we got Jens Ibendorff from Greifswald, which was a fair trade as Jens brought food and other lifesaving merchandise. We got more sampling bags for the Swedes, more beer for everyone and “The Finnish Kilo” of extra candy (yes, for the Finns).

Shortly after saying our goodbyes to the helicopter we were met by Leonid, a nice and helpful, if rather shy, man living and working at the Met-station. There are two employees at the station, but we only ever met Leonid since the boss was away on his annual summer holiday. It turned out that Valerie had some common acquaintances with Leonid and we were kindly allowed to make use of a room and the Banja (sauna) for drying clothes and washing.

Part of the group in KhoseAfter dinner we gathered in our borrowed room to discuss the work ahead. Using available topographic maps, Tarmo’s satellite imagery and a permafrost map we identified many interesting areas. On the first day of work we all set of to our new sites. Saskia, Jens and Sanna found that the hike to the forest site was long, wet and willowy. The rest of us started working closer to camp on the first of three transects. During the following days the weather was mostly cool, windy and rainy (i.e. excellent) and work progressed quite nicely. The extra supplies brought in by Jens made a real difference on the dinner table and we could complement our meals with fresh mushrooms and cloudberries.

While the Germans continued work at the remote forest site the rest of us crossed the Khosedayu river to establish our second transect. Steffen and I also visited the forest site where we cut down the largest tree around and brought home very nice tree-discs.

On the 24th we had the best weather of the whole expedition: 15° C, no rain and strong winds to keep the bugs away. The following day we started work on the last soil transect and celebrated Dmitri’s birthday with blinis and cloudberry jam.

Arranging samples for customsSome of us finished our work early and joined other groups during the last couple of days. The Finns, we all agreed, worked far too hard and they were even awarded medals for their efforts by Valerie. We spent the Sunday packing and resting and when Monday came we were all ready to leave. After a somewhat anxious six hour wait the helicopter arrived and carried us to Inta and civilization. The kiosk at the Inta train station luckily sold food and beer, making the trip to Syktyvkar a nice and relaxed affair.

More photos here
http://www.carbonorth.net/image/tid/36