by Danielle Beaty, University of Colorado Boulder and Kirsten Arnell, Columbia University
Mass balance data collection is the heart and soul of the Juneau Icefield Research Program. The mass balance record kept by JIRP is key in understanding glacial processes as well as climate change. Furthermore, digging mass balance pits is one of the most fun aspects of JIRP, as it’s an awesome way to explore outside of camp and get to know everyone. On a particular mass balance digging excursion out of Camp 10, we had more diggers than work to be done. We used this opportunity to construct a three tiered snow couch/throne out of all the snow we removed from the pit. Here we present to you some haikus we wrote about the throne, because who doesn’t enjoy a good snow sculpture haiku?
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A snow pit deepens
Shovels toss snow through the air
There, appears a chair
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A snow throne tower
In the middle of Taku
What a stunning view
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Ah, the sun is out
Should we dig a pit today?
How about a couch
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Tired from digging?
Sit on this wonderful throne
Watch the pit get dug
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What’s that over there?
Alas, it’s a three tiered couch
Ah, how fantastic
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The JIRP mass balance snow throne. photo by Danielle B.
Danielle and Kirsten, overseeing the mass balance pit, and enjoying their finished product. photo by Aaron H.
Danielle giving two thumbs up to the stunning view. photo by Kirsten A.
The south-facing side of the Taku glacier snow throne. Matt P. and Alex Z. working hard digging the pit to the right of the image. photo by Danielle B.