Leo Conquers the Arctic Ocean

[Leonardo]

Leo went today on a business trip above the Arctic Circle. He boards the consolidated BP/Concoco-Phillips company Boeing 737 for the 600 mile flight due north to Deadhorse, Alaska. The purpose for the trip is to get an eyes-on understanding of the Prudhoe Bay and Kaparuk oil fields of the North Slope and to receive briefings on the operations of the wells and the Alaska Pipeline.

Along the route, Leo captures a stunning view of Denali (20,000 feet elevation) in the Alaska Range.

[Leonardo]

--- Two shots here: 1) Marker where the first well was drilled in 1969, and 2) Prudhoe bay.

[Leonardo]

During the visit, Leo has the opportunity to join a very prestigious group, the “Prudhoe Bay Polar Bear Club”. Having more bravado than brains, Leo advances into the 37*F water in 40*F wind. (This is the late Arctic “summer”! :scratch: )

[Leonardo]

Leo completely submerges, then surfaces from the deeps of the frigid Arctic waters. (HOLY COW, it was ffffrrriggid. :eek: )

[Leonardo]

Leo rejoices greatly that he is still alive. (But he can’t feel his privates...wonders if they are gone!) Leo exults in the moment, making brave statements of conquering the Arctic Ocean. (Or, is he just cussing up a storm?)

[QCH]

In the upper left corner of the last picture, I can see your nuts floating away.... :D

You, Prime, and mmonnin are all in the Polar Club... I will, no doubt, be asked to join this winter. :rolleyes:

[primesuspect]

Looks familiar..... :eek2:

Congrats from a fellow polar bear, although 40 degrees would have been an absolute luxury when we did it ;D

;)

[Leonardo]

Observations and comments:

BP and Conoco-Phillips operate three 737's to get their employees from Anchorage and Fairbanks to the North Slope Oil Fields. Most of workers are on site for one or two weeks, lodging at the "camps", then off for a corresponding one or two weeks. There is only one road to the oil fields, and it is hundreds of miles of two-lane tire-shredding rock, grit, and gravel. No one commutes via that means.

I was surprised how clean the oil fields were. It was very clean and natural. The oil industry is taking pains to be environmentally responsible. (This is not a political statement - it's what I saw.) I saw lots of various waterfowl, but unfortunately, now brown or polar bears.

Some of the buildings have cages at the exit doors, so those leaving the building can safely scan for polar bears behind secure metal before walking out in the open.

The runway we used was packed dirt and gravel. Yes, for a Boeing 737!

'Deadhorse' is a real place name - I did not make it up.

That far above the Arctic Circle (250 miles), there are no trees, shrubs, or bushes. There is grass and flowers, though. There is driftwood on the beach that washes in on from Canada via an arching ocean current.


Had a wonderful time today. It really was an adventure.

[Leonardo]

40 degrees would have been an absolute luxury when we did it Yeah, the air temperature wasn't that bad. But the wind on the wet butt was vicious.

Edit: HEY! I just checked out the Michigan Polar Bear thread (http://www.short-media.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26378&page=1&highlight=polar). You guys did not submerge! :shakehead

[profdlp]

Great pictures, Leo. :)

You're a brave man for taking a dip in the Arctic Ocean. Not too bright, maybe, but definitely brave. :D

[primesuspect]

Marc submerged!

I'm planning on it this year. I'm going under too.

HEY MAN GIVE ME SOME CREDIT IT WAS 15 DEGREES OUT ;D

[profdlp]

...HEY MAN GIVE ME SOME CREDIT IT WAS 15 DEGREES OUT ;D
I give you plenty of credit. It was quite a feat. :)

[Leonardo]

Credit given. Polar Bears should live in harmony. :thumbsup:

[bothered]

You are very lucky Leo, you've got to see some beautiful places. I'll bet that mountain from the air was stunning. I don't know about going for a dip though, the shrivel factor would be too much, they'd be calling me Mrs bothered.

[Leonardo]

Bothered, God has been good to me. I have seen a lot of beautiful places.

I lived in Alaska previous to moving back last summer. One time on a flight, it was a particularly clear day, even over Denali. Clear weather there is not the norm. We were flying from Fairbanks to Anchorage, the route cutting through the Alaska Range just a handful of miles west of Denali. The pilot keyed his mic and told the passengers he would fly closer to Mt. McKinley (Denali). And so he did. He lowered the aircraft's altitude also, so that we were looking out and up at Denali. Tremendous view. That was also a 737 flight. I've never had the opportunity to take a small aircraft through the mountains. I need to make friends with someone with a private plane.

[mmonnin]

Yeah I went under. I was out there for like 6.5 minutes in freezing water. There was litterly ice floating in the water.

I will put up some information about this years jump when it gets closer.

[checkmate]

I find this thread absolutely hilarious! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Leonardo]

Yeah I went under. I was out there for like 6.5 minutes in freezing water.
I concede. You are braver. :hair: