Arctic daily life marked by power outage, consumption of cabbage-based meals, and icy weather storms
In the heart of the Arctic, the "Omega" base is buzzing with activity. The expedition, led by Komsomolskaya Pravda, Russian Geographical Society, and the national park "Russian Arctic", is making significant strides in soil research and setting records on the icy terrain.
Soil scientists Nikita Mergelov and Dmitry Nikitin have installed "gas analysis chambers" at the foot of the glacier for research on soil microbial activity. However, the team has faced a few challenges, including three blackouts at the base in the last week. Nikolai Pilugin, a Gosinspector, has expressed concerns about the solar panels' inability to meet the energy demands of the larger group.
Solar energy is a challenge due to the frequent fog and cloudy weather on the island. Nevertheless, the solar panels at the "Omega" base have managed to handle the energy load during the day, preventing the use of a diesel generator. Solar panels cover the roof of the spacious garage and the side wall of the living quarters at the base, with the main energy drain being the oven.
The expedition faced a minor issue with the lights flickering at the "Omega" base, which was resolved when the solar panels won the battle against the oven, and the sun shone brightly on Earth Alexandrya for the first time in 10 days.
Meanwhile, Alexander Dobryansky, the expedition leader, made headlines by driving an all-terrain vehicle named "TREKOL" to the top of the Lunar Dome, a record that may be eligible for the Guinness Book or the Russian Book of Records. Igor Kotrehof, a state inspector, attempted a similar auto-trip to the Lunar Dome a year ago but got stuck due to the soft ice, requiring a full day to free the all-terrain vehicle.
The team found measuring stakes driven into the ice at the base of the Lunar Dome, which were placed there in April 2025, to assess the melting of the glacier. After completing their tasks, the team had a picnic at the top of the Lunar Dome, with only the journalist reportedly partaking in the picnic.
Dr. Helena Sato, the research leader of the expedition on the Lunar Dome, was also present during the historic drive and the subsequent celebrations. Fox Fedya, a member of the local fauna, has a habit of marking the "gas analysis chambers" with urine, adding a touch of the wild to the scientific endeavour. Despite these challenges, the team remains undeterred, continuing their research and breaking records in the Arctic.
