Author: B. Hornbeck | University at Buffalo | October 25, 2014
About halfway through our stay on Kiska Island, we all… well, let’s just say we didn’t smell like fresh laundry or roses. Two straight weeks of existence in four layers of clothing encased in Gore-Tex and rubber rain gear doesn’t exactly do wonders for hygiene. While all of us are experienced in playing the role of rugged field scientist, stripping down in 40 degree, 20mph rain filled winds only to pour lukewarm water over your head takes a great deal of mental fortitude. Most of the time we just settled for a baby-wipe bird bath before crawling into our sleeping bags at night, partly to conserve water, and partly out of refusal to brave the former option. Baby-wipe bird baths count, right? It’s not like anyone could smell you through your rain gear anyway!
Needless to say, we were all pretty excited when we got word from the Tiglax that they had a moment to swing by for a few hours and provide us with lunch and showers. Real, hot, hidden from the elements, showers! And to top it off, a break from spam and cabbage! This was a very special day for the Kiska crew indeed.
As we piled into the skiff, and anxiously awaited our chariots departure to our small taste of ‘civilization’, we encountered a brief moment of technical difficulties. The motor wouldn’t release from the upright position, and when it finally did, it wasn’t exactly eager to run. We didn’t mind though, we sat patiently, daydreaming of the luxuries that awaited us.
Click the link for a video capturing our happy faces, the exchanges of amused grins, and our arrival on the Tiglax.