Hi Amy, I did make it ok. I did have to abort because the temperature dropped to -24 then to -32C without the windchill.
I went back two weekends later to do two mission days. Temps were good for that but the snow up there this year is the deepest it's been in years. Literally between 1.5 to 2 meters deep. About the top foot to two feet (I know I jump between metric and imperial
) of snow was soft. Under that it gets kinda packed, and there's two icy layers from the two big warmups we had over the winter. It made it difficult to walk through. Some spots you walk fine through the soft snow, then others you break through the icy layer and sink down. With snowshoes it's no problem, with boots even if you're careful with your step you can mostly stay on top of the icy later. But barefoot your weight isn't spread out you break through easier. That sucks because it's so sharp, I got all these little cuts on my ankles and calves, even up past my knees. It really hurts the feet when they're tender like that.
The other thing I had to disable both times was the skylights opening. There was way too much snow on the roof to try to clear off. I just had to leave it, and stop the program from opening them. Sorta took away from the punishment mode. But it was replaced with the toecuff shuffle as a punishment. The first time up I did it once, with the key at the far corner of the deck. I had to clear a path before hand to get to it because the wall of snow outside the door was so high I wouldn't of been able to get up it when cuffed like that. The second trip I had to do it twice, both times the key was placed just off the deck a bit. This time however there was a grove carved from last time, with about 10 cm of soft snow filling it. So I left that, and carved a bit of a ramp in the snow at the edge of the deck that I'd have to navigate up and across the top of the snow to get to the keys. I had to be careful with my weight to not push too hard at any spot so I didn't break through. It'd just be more work to get out. It was intense for sure. Last time I had also cleared a little spot at the end to turn myself around but this time not. Unlocking the cuffs in the snow is not an option. It's hard to do it in the warmth, on a flat surface, but out there dexterity in the fingers is gone, and with tiny keys, and cuffs packed with snow it's impossible. I'm forced to turn around and head back in while trying to hold the keys behind my back. The snow was so deep the first time through my feet stayed under the snow. It was challenging to say the least. Not an easy feat naked. I loved the challenge.
ChrischanK wrote:hey there,
i've got another idea to make your missions more interesting.
You will need some additional RFID-readers. You will attach them to the trees for some short missions....
I like the idea, but the logistics of that make it super difficult to execute. Each reader would need a wire run from it to the panel in the cottage, lots of things could go wrong. I like the idea tho because then the 'cheat' of grabbing more than one card while out and bringing them back couldn't be done.
Keep the ideas coming, I always am open to new ways to challenge myself up there.
I'd like to go one more time before winter ends, I wanted to go this long weekend but the temp was calling for -20 again so I decided to stay. The idea of one of my friends coming with me (which would be a first of a real person being a part of what I do) and being my master instead of the program has been tabled. I'm nervous, I don't know what it'd be like with a person actually telling me what to do, I've fantasized about it, but to actually do it might be different. But it's been presented as an option. That would be for this next weekend coming up. The only problem is, the forecast temp so far on Wed, Thurs & Fri are all showing above freezing. If the temp goes above freezing it'll make all the top snow a layer of ice again, which would ruin the snow and pretty much write off the rest of the season. So I might be done for the year
So we'll see