The Icefield Ranges Research Project, 1971

Abstract

The 1971 Icefield Ranges Research Project (IRRP) field season again was something of a paradox and, as in past seasons, weather was the guilty agent. Projects that were carried out on the continental slope of the St. Elias Mountains enjoyed relatively good weather; those pursued under the direct influence of Pacific maritime air masses suffered through possibly the worst season weatherwise since the inauguration of IRRP in 1961. Research activity at Kluane Lake camp continued year-round during 1970-1971 for the first time in ten years of operation. ... Base camp is situated on the southern end of Kluane Lake (el. c. 780 m.) and was the hub from which two full-time and four short-term field camps were supported. Air support was provided by the Arctic Institute's versatile STOL supercharged Helio Courier aircraft equipped with ski-wheels aided substantially by a Canadian Forces DeHavilland Buffalo and by two fixed-wing and two rotary-wing aircraft which were chartered locally when necessity demanded. In early July the DeHavilland Buffalo dropped over 4 tons of supplies and equipment to the Mount Logan physiology laboratory (el. c. 5,335 m). Aircraft flew approximately 270 hours in support of IRRP programs in 1971. All base camp facilities were opened for summer field research parties mid-May and were closed 12 September. As in past summers, however, maximum utilization of facilities and research activity occurred between mid-June and mid-August. Principal investigators, senior scientists and graduate students plus their assistants numbered over 70 persons. ... In all more than 100 men and women representing 30 Canadian and American colleges, universities, and research institutions and agencies participated in IRRP field investigations in physical, biological, medical, and social sciences. ... A nominal [glacier studies] program was carried out from mid-July to mid-August on the Rusty Glacier and two neighbours the Backe and Trapridge glaciers, three small surge-type glaciers for which there is evidence of a history of surging. ... During the 1971 summer field season investigations continued into significant changes in the level of Kluane Lake and shifts in direction of drainage .... Active loess transport and deposition studies began 30 May on the wide, dry floor of the Slims River valley. ... Examination of climate continued on three scales of observation here defined as micro-, meso-, and synoptic. ... Research on Dall sheep with emphasis on its range relationship continued throughout the winter. The study area encompasses Sheep Mountain (e. 1,954 m). ... Phytogeographical studies in the Icefield Ranges, begun in 1965 on nunataks and in the alpine zone above the 1,500-m level, were continued in 1971. ... Field laboratory studies [high altitude physiology] were planned to build upon and expand work which had been done in previous years and were for the most part directed towards better understanding of the role of water and salts in acclimatization to hypoxia and in acute mountain sickness. ... The Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) and the Arctic Institute convened a workshop at Kluane Lake camp further to refine and amplify the contributions of energy and mass balance studies. The workshop was held from 23 to 28 August. ...