Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Fox Jaw Climbing Expedition  (FJCE)

Outline
Four colleagues and I are travelling to Eastern Greenland this summer for a climbing and mountaineering expedition. We would like to work as educators about what the IPY is doing and our experience in Greenland. After travelling to Iceland on June 20th we fly to Tasilaq, Greenland where we’ll stay and immerse ourselves in the company of the local people for several days. Then we plan to hire a boat to drop us off in the neighbourhood of Fox Jaw Cirque, an area explored by Mike Libecki and others. From there we plan to spend over five weeks travelling across glaciers and up mountains. We leave Greenland on August 1st. When we get back from Greenland we hope to share our experience in the Arctic Circle with communities around the United States. We will do this in the form of slideshows, articles, and educational presentations. As an educator for the University of Utah in the United States, I feel that raising awareness of polar regions is critically important. There are minimal ways in which I can do this, but perhaps the most powerful is by outreach. Travelling to arctic areas and sharing information and stories about them has a profound impact on audiences.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The theme our project most significantly contributes to is Education/Outreach and Communication. We will be able to educate others on the current state of a very specific area of Greenland. Climbers and mountaineers have an intimate relationship with the land. From our observations, we will be able to generalize to other polar regions to a certain extent. We plan to share not only our experience in Greenland with the climbing and mountaineering community, but universities and elementary schools.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Our team represents both the United States and Canada.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Greenland. Northeast of Tasilaq.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 6/2007 – 8/2007            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
We are self-contained. A great deal of food and equipment is required but we are bringing most of it from North America. Unless someone is in the local area (not likely) we will be unaware of their presence or needs.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No, but it will help create community between citizens of multiple countries.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Other sources of support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Yes

How will the project be organised and managed?
Through the collaboration of the 5 individuals involved.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Slideshow presentations in the American West for climbers Slideshow presentations to University students Several presentations to elementary schools Articles in popular literature

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Personal funds and expedition grants

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Not unless it is required.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Mr Nathan Furman
University of Utah
624 Redondo Avenue
Salt Lake City, Utah
84105
USA

Tel: (541) 420-2307
Mobile: no
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation