The final rush before departing for the coast
A big convoy will be leaving the station on wednesday the 26th of November. The whole ICECON team are going to the coast, along with InBev-Baillet Latour Fellowship laureate Jan Lennaerts and a few others. The logistics has to be top notch; mechanics are servicing the tractors, scientists are testing the ECLIPSE drill and food supplies must be packed up.
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Prinoth tractors being serviced in front of the garages.
© International Polar Foundation / Jos van Hemelrijck
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Scientists testing the ECLIPSE drill.
© International Polar Foundation / Jos van Hemelrijck
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Kristof Soete working on servicing all Prinoths before the departure for the coast.
© International Polar Foundation / Jos van Hemelrijck
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A good shot of the tracks that allow the tractors to move across difficult terrain.
© International Polar Foundation / Jos van Hemelrijck
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Changing the oil of a tractor. Nicolas Degand had to pre-heat the oil before putting it in!
© International Polar Foundation / Jos van Hemelrijck
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Erecting the ECLIPSE drill.
© International Polar Foundation / Jos van Hemelrijck
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Morgane Philippe helping out with the drill.
© International Polar Foundation / Jos van Hemelrijck
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Jean-Louis Tison inspecting the drill's cable. Thanks to our electrical engineer Karel Moerman, who fixed a serious problem, scientists will be able to use the drill in the field.
© International Polar Foundation / Jos van Hemelrijck
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Now, how can we make that thing fit onto a sledge? You can count on Alain and Jacques Touchette to find a way.
© International Polar Foundation / Jos van Hemelrijck
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Julien Lecomte, Craig Masson and Christophe Berclaz check food supplies for the expedition to the coast. Teacher Roger Radoux lends a hand.
© International Polar Foundation / Jos van Hemelrijck
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Let's make sure nothing is missing!
© International Polar Foundation / Jos van Hemelrijck
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The drill is finally working! Down, down it goes ... as deep as 150 metres beneath our feet.
© International Polar Foundation / Jos van Hemelrijck
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First ice cores extracted! The scientists are over the moon and Karel is the hero of the day for repairing the drill.
© International Polar Foundation / Jos van Hemelrijck
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The new switch installed by Karel on the control panel. It allows scientists to block the cable again when they need to.
© International Polar Foundation / Jos van Hemelrijck
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Meanwhile, Alain and Jacques are modifying a sledge to accommodate the drill. We told you they would find a way!
© International Polar Foundation / Jos van Hemelrijck
