An Ocean of Air
“TASIILAQ, EAST GREENLAND "THERE IT GOES." Local weatherman Søren Basbøll opens his fist to release the cable, and his weather balloon leaps eagerly upward. Within a few seconds we have to crane to see its tight white sphere outlined against the blue.
After almost a week of low clouds and flat white Arctic light, today has dawned unexpectedly clear and bright. At last we can see the tops of the mountains on the other side of the fjord. They are lined up with serrated sides and pointed summits, t...he way a child might draw a mountain range, and their flanks are still draped with snow. I know that beyond this first rank there are countless more, nothing but mountains, glaciers, and snow for 600 miles or more, and most of the peaks are unconquered and unknown.
In spite of the bright sunshine, the temperature is still below freezing and there is a stiff breeze. Søren retreats indoors to his coffee and computer, but I stay outside, watching the sky. The balloon is still visible, and if I squint, I can make out a gossamer cable below it that is trailing a small white box.MoreLess
After almost a week of low clouds and flat white Arctic light, today has dawned unexpectedly clear and bright. At last we can see the tops of the mountains on the other side of the fjord. They are lined up with serrated sides and pointed summits, t...he way a child might draw a mountain range, and their flanks are still draped with snow. I know that beyond this first rank there are countless more, nothing but mountains, glaciers, and snow for 600 miles or more, and most of the peaks are unconquered and unknown.
In spite of the bright sunshine, the temperature is still below freezing and there is a stiff breeze. Søren retreats indoors to his coffee and computer, but I stay outside, watching the sky. The balloon is still visible, and if I squint, I can make out a gossamer cable below it that is trailing a small white box.MoreLess
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