7–17 June 2022
McCarthy, Alaska, USA
Co-written by: Victor Devaux-Chupin (University of Alaska Fairbanks) & Anna-Mireilla Hayden (University of Waterloo)
also published in Ice: News Bulletin of the International Glaciological Society | Number 188 | 1st issue 2022 | ISSN 0019–1043
What is the most defining event in the life of a researcher?
Perhaps it is a graduate student’s first paper, breakthrough research, passing your comprehensive exams, graduation, a personal goal intersecting your professional side of life, and/or more. However, if we look at one common denominator, all these experiences can be summed up as encounters. Whether good or bad, professional encounters always kickstart the motion of discovery.
After more than 2 years of learning and unlearning during the COVID-19 pandemic, where students suffered by losing opportunities of in-person networking, taking coffee breaks with colleagues, and meeting up with peers or lab mates, the 2022 International Summer School in Glaciology in McCarthy, Alaska was more necessary than ever before. We are lucky as glaciologists to evolve in a unique field of study where researchers and students can have a significant impact on the community and the world.
The International Summer School in Glaciology is not a regular summer school -- It is a place that pushes the usual boundaries of the classroom, lab, and/or fieldwork to have students and researchers meet in the most unique conditions. Imagine camping at the foot of a glacier, being stinky for days, the unlimited resources of glaciology knowledge around you, and the possibility of a bear snatching your snacks! In these unique conditions, we guarantee that the people you meet will surely stay in your professional life for a long time.
For us, this amazing adventure started in Fairbanks, Alaska at the rhythm of the incoming planes from France, Norway, the Netherlands, U.S., Canada, and other parts of the world. As we are still in a pandemic, everyone took serious precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and one of the ways we did this was by establishing our McCarthy Summer School “bubble” with our group of 28 graduate students and 9 lecturers (Figure 1).
Figure 1. A group shot of the 2022 cohort of the International Summer School in Glaciology on Root Glacier holding flags representing their different countries. Photo Credit: Dave Sabell
From Fairbanks, we drove 12 hours to McCarthy, Alaska, with breathtaking stops at Black Rapids Glacier, Rainbow Mountain, Gulkana Glacier, Copper River, and more, along the way. At each stop, we gained a greater understanding and appreciation of glaciological processes as the instructors described how glaciers shaped the landscape. We gazed in awe at the scenery, with each site highlighting a unique glacier landform. But perhaps the most breathtaking view of them all was when we reached our destination and stepped out of our vehicles with the Kennicott and Root Glaciers in sight (Figure 2).
After setting up camp, we were briefed and warmly welcomed by the wonderful staff at the Wrangell Mountains Centre who hosted us for the rest of the summer school. Beyond representing a gathering place for artists and scientists alike, the Wrangell
Mountains Centre holds significance to glaciologists thanks to Porphyry Place, the former residence of glacier and avalanche researcher Edward LaChapelle. Our daily programming included a variety of dynamic activities, ranging from daily lectures in Porphyry Place (Figure 3), a student poster session (Figure 4), problem sets and exercises, group projects, public lectures, and a glacier excursion (of course). It was not only a privilege to learn from our peers, but more importantly from the lecturers who are renowned experts in the field of glaciology. The McCarthy Summer School lecturers made students coming from different academic backgrounds feel included and comfortable with the lectures’ content. Essentially, in the end, we felt like one big, happy family working together, reinventing linear algebra, calculating surface mass balance, mapping glacier velocities, and trying to solve Ed Bueler’s problem set(s) (Figure 5).
Figure 2. Students’ first sight at the Kennicott and Root Glaciers after a 12-hour drive from Fairbanks, crossing the bridge to the Town of McCarthy. Photo Credit: Andy Aschwanden
Figure 3. Glaciology students during a morning lecture at Porphory Place. Photo Credit: Andy Aschwanden
From Fairbanks, we drove 12 hours to McCarthy, Alaska, with breathtaking stops at Black Rapids Glacier, Rainbow Mountain, Gulkana Glacier, Copper River, and more, along the way. At each stop, we gained a greater understanding and appreciation of glaciological processes as the instructors described how glaciers shaped the landscape. We gazed in awe at the scenery, with each site highlighting a unique glacier landform. But perhaps the most breathtaking view of them all was when we reached our destination and stepped out of our vehicles with the Kennicott and Root Glaciers in sight (Figure 2).
After setting up camp, we were briefed and warmly welcomed by the wonderful staff at the Wrangell Mountains Centre who hosted us for the rest of the summer school. Beyond representing a gathering place for artists and scientists alike, the Wrangell
Mountains Centre holds significance to glaciologists thanks to Porphyry Place, the former residence of glacier and avalanche researcher Edward LaChapelle. Our daily programming included a variety of dynamic activities, ranging from daily lectures in Porphyry Place (Figure 3), a student poster session (Figure 4), problem sets and exercises, group projects, public lectures, and a glacier excursion (of course). It was not only a privilege to learn from our peers, but more importantly from the lecturers who are renowned experts in the field of glaciology. The McCarthy Summer School lecturers made students coming from different academic backgrounds feel included and comfortable with the lectures’ content. Essentially, in the end, we felt like one big, happy family working together, reinventing linear algebra, calculating surface mass balance, mapping glacier velocities, and trying to solve Ed Bueler’s problem set(s) (Figure 5).
Figure 4. A panoramic photo of the summer school poster session at the Wrangell Mountain Center on Day 2 showing all student posters hung on the western outside wall of the building and on clotheslines. Photo Credit: Philipp Arndt
With each passing day, our knowledge of theoretical glaciological concepts deepened. This newly acquired information was indispensable for the group projects, in which pairs of students were mentored by the course instructors. Each day, the students and instructors worked diligently on cutting-edge research, from investigating the development of glacier tables, to the tidewater glacier cycle, and much, much more. On the last day of the summer school, we presented our findings in a mini-conference, and the energy in Porphyry Place was palpable. All our hard work and dedication had paid off, and we all exceeded our own expectations of what we were capable of in just 10 short days and the absence of an internet connection!
During the 10-day summer school, there were several activities that grew to be student favourites. To highlight a few, the glacier excursion onto Root Glacier was one to remember, especially for the participants who had never hiked across a glacier before. As we ventured across the glacier, we were rewarded by panoramic views of rock glaciers, moraines, moulins, and surface streams. Not only were the glacier surface features spectacular, but the excursion also gave us the opportunity to apply our knowledge learned from the lectures. The instructors shared first-hand accounts of how the landscape has changed since the first summer school in 2010, providing us with a deeper appreciation of the sensitivity of glacierized regions to climate change. For several brave students, the excursion also afforded the opportunity to enjoy a glacier dip/swim in some of the supraglacial lakes!
By luck, a proglacial lake to the west of Root Glacier near Donahoe Falls had also drained earlier that day, which opened breathtaking
views to a subglacial cavity and cave-like fluvial system (Figure 6). For some, you could even say that it was love at frost sight. We also owe a special thanks to Doug the Dog (Figure 7), a veteran glacier trekker, who was a great guide and companion on our hike! While not everything in the summer school was centered completely on glaciers, we also had some pure fun and games along with some “free” time! Other student favourites were the local McCarthy Friday Night Softball Game (Figure 8) and of course, drumroll please… the annual McCarthy Summer School football/soccer game whereby (as tradition upholds) the entire summer school is divided into two teams and the game begins. Even though all the summer school students were playing their best with such competitive spirits, perhaps the most competitive players of all were the summer school lecturers and Wrangell Mountains Centre staff who humbled all of us with their football/soccer skills!
Overall, it was one of the highlights of the summer school as it provided us with the chance to bond, work as a team, and not score any goals when Regine Hock was the (pro) goalkeeper because she was awesome. To reward our efforts, we celebrated with ice cream – after all, we’re glaciologists and if there’s ice involved, we’re interested! During our limited free time at McCarthy-Kennicott while not in lectures, we would split up in groups and spend our time exploring the town’s history and local culture by visiting the McCarthy-Kennicott Historical Museum, hiking the Bonanza Mine Trail, swimming in the cold freshwater pond near our camp, and some even had a chance to go flightseeing over parts of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Reserve overlooking glacial valleys and spectacular tributary glaciers of the Root and Kennecott glaciers.
Figure 5. Taking a quick break from working together on problem sets. Photo Credit: Andy Aschwanden
Figure 6. Drained proglacial lake adjacent to Root Glacier as a lunch stop for our glacial excursion. Photo Credit: Andy Aschwanden
Figure 7. Doug the Dog on the foot of Root Glacier accompanying us on our glacier excursion. Photo Credit: Hannah Verboncoeur
Figure 8. McCarthy Friday Night Softball Game played by local McCarthy residents, staff, and summer school students. Everyone (including the McCarthy dogs) is a winner! Photo Credit: Hannah Verboncoeur
The summer school broke the mould for many of us who started our academic careers in the virtual environment. The immersive, in-person setting of the summer school was invigorating, as was the spontaneous exchange of research ideas and engaging discussions between students and instructors. By virtue of the summer school, we built connections with like-minded researchers with a passion for glaciology. At the final banquet, we reflected on the conversations and the unforgettable experiences we shared throughout our time together at the summer school. These fond memories and friendships will stay with us as we move through our careers.
Finally, check out this link for a 1-second everyday video compilation of the 2022 International Summer School in Glaciology. We would like to acknowledge the support of our summer school sponsors without which none of these unique encounters would have been possible. A huge thanks to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), The Norwegian-North American Glaciology Exchange Program RemoteEx, International Glaciological Society (IGS), International Association of Cryospheric Sciences (IACS), International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), the journal Frontiers in Earth Science International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and 2 private (glaciologist) donors.
