Today we repeated procedures for epiflouresence and enjoyed the warm 65 degree weather. I thought I'd give you some pictures and perspective on life at Toolik. The population here changes almost daily and there's a sheet posted next to the week's weather that shows the arrivals and departures. The population range average about 65 while we were here. About half of those are summer staff, the other half are research teams. |
Toolik Fine Dining
You definitely won't starve at Toolik and you might even gain a pound or town. The dining room is open 24/7 and is lined with snacks and an always open salad/sandwich bar. Hot meals are available daily for one hour at designated meal times and are usually fabulous. The weeks menu is posted and dairy/gluten/vegetarian notes are added on each hot bar. Sunday mornings, breakfast and lunch are on your own but the kitchen staff leaves breakfast burritos and smoothies out. Leftovers from the past three days meals are in the fridge in case you miss a meal due to hiking, sample collecting, or anything else that might keep you from the kitchen. |
Safety and Medical
Living in a remote field station where an encounter with a large game animal that may have a bad attitude is a possibility, safety is important. For any expeditions that are off the pad (main campus) you must sign out on a board with the time of departure, expected return time, and a latest possible return time. Researchers also have their pictures taken upon arrival so that everyone can determine who to look for. Bear spray is also available for check out. For other health needs, there is an EMT on staff and a stock of over the counter medicine in the main office.
Remote Infrastructure
Located more than 350 miles or 9.5 hours by car north of the nearest major town of Fairbanks, AK (pop. 32 000). Supplies, energy, water and waste disposal are a concern. Trash is sorted for basic recycling, burn, and no burn. Materials that can be burnt are incinerated. Other trash must be shipped off site. Water management costs the facility 75 cents a gallon (there are signs to remind you posted by the sinks).
Personal Hygiene
With fresh water and grey water removal both being a concern showers are limited to twice a week, for two minutes each. The shower room contains sinks, cubbies, and shower stalls. There's a bin of shampoo and various other toiletries that guest may use. These are often left by previous guests and come in handy when you forget your contact solution or lotion. Other options for cleanliness include using the sauna which is open at least three days a week. Water in the sauna can be used to take a shower or if you are brave you can take a dip in the lake.
There are two flushing toilets on campus, but everyone is encouraged to use the towers. Outhouses that sit up a flight of stairs. Toilet paper and personal hygiene products may not be flushed and are placed in a waste receptacle in each bathroom. The staff does a great job of keeping the area clean and the bathroom trashcans generally had very little need of the paper pusher.
Residences
Upon arrival to Toolik you will be assigned a weatherport or one of the dorms. The weatherports have small portable heaters and 2-6 beds with a mattress and possibly a small dresser. (I'll post indoor photos of the weather port later) The staff and dorms are more like trailers. The kitchen staff is great and it's nice to see they have a waterfront residence to themselves on the pad.
Arctic Ground Squirrel - Siksik
P Loop Hike
There's a 3 mile gravel hike that goes out to an old landing strip, that looks nothing like a landing strip that you can take to stretch your legs and get some exercise. I didn't figure out how to balance running and the lack of shower, but that is just me. Others have this down to a science and get their regular exercise in. There is also a workout room with mats, treadmills, etc but I prefer the outdoors for exercise.