A New Era of High Altitude Research in North America: Year-round Operations at Barcroft Station

please note: this page is not yet complete

There is a pressing need for a high-elevation winter field station in North America (see list of Barcroft Projects for some current examples). Modern technology is now available to make safe, efficient winter operations possible even at remote, extreme-environment facilities such as those at Barcroft. WMRS is committed to transforming Barcroft to year-round operations, and has carried out extensive planning, including a trial winter season in 2003-04 and establishment of the White Mountain Energy Project in cooperation with the Advanced Power and Energy Program (APEP) at UC Irvine.

• One crucial step that needs to be taken is to improve reliability and efficiency of energy supply for the station, including alternative sources (see White Mountain Energy Project for details).
• Another step is to acquire a powerful all-terrain snowcat capable of snow removal (see "February 2005 snowcat trip" news story). This machine is needed to allow access during deep snow conditions such as those that prevailed in the winter of 2004-05, when the "terra lite" snowcat was unable to operate.
• Continuing upgrades to the high-speed wireless internet connection, primarily to increase reliability)
• Improvements to the Barcroft Water Supply and Storage Tanks

We are applying for government grants to fund some of these projects, but grant funds are limited and there are many opportunities for private and foundation support. See Barcroft gift page for a list of needs.