The Icefield Ranges Research Project, 1963

Abstract

The Icefield Ranges Research Project (IRRP), co-sponsored by the American Geographical Society and the Arctic Institute of North America, completed its third successful field season in early September 1963. The base camp at the south end of Kluane Lake, Yukon Territory, Canada was opened on June 4 and closed on August 27. The field party consisted of Dr. W. A. Wood, as project leader and R. H. Ragle, who as field leader was assisted by four other staff members of the Institute. One of the objectives of the project is to provide graduate students working on a dissertation for a Master's or Ph.D. degree with opportunities for research and field work. Thus there were five candidates for graduate degrees among the ten scientists from various institutions and universities in the United States and Canada who carried out field work in glaciology, meteorology, climatology, geophysics, and glacial geology. One other graduate, who had received an M.S. on work in glaciology while with the IRRP in 1962, returned for further research in 1963. Support was provided by eight assistants, mostly students from U.S. and Canadian universities. The four camps that served as bases for operations were: (a) Base Camp at Kluane Lake, altitude 870 m.; (b) Kaskawulsh Camp at the glacier terminus, 920 m.; (c) Glacier Divide Camp, 2641 m.; (d) Glacier Camp, at the centre of the glacier, 2588 m. Despite the changeable weather experienced during the season the work that had been planned in the various disciplines was accomplished. ...