Across the Ice Wall

Winning Vote:

[X] Plan: Prep work
- [X] Begin Initial Survey Flights (1 die) (5 Resources per Die, 0/50)
- [X] Establish Drift Ice Station (1 die) (10 Resources per Die, 0/100)
- [X] Complete Move-In (1 die) (Development Die, DC30)
- [X] Winterize Vehicles (1 die) (5 Resources per Die, 0/50)
- [X] Request University Assistance (Free Action)
- [X] Launch Weather Balloons (1 die) (5 Resources per Die, 0/50)
- [X] Research Arctic Survival (1 die) (5 Resources per Die, 0/50)
- [X] Study Altitude Effects (1 die) (10 Resources per Die, 0/150)

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Outcome for January, Year 1

Resources: 0 (+40 per Month)
Supplies: 15
Results: 0

Begin Survey Flights (35/50) - The Expedition's efforts at aerial surveying involve the largest volume of planes over the ice walls in history. Due to this, safety has been prioritized over efficiency as the luxury of emergency landings does not currently exist atop the walls. The work of processing and cataloging survey photos has also been difficult given the low-contrast and look-alike landscape of the ice walls. Both of these factors have led to slow overall progress in initial surveys.

Establish Ice Drift Station (49/100) - With summer at its peak, there have been major difficulties in finding a stable stretch of drift ice to set up an outpost on. However, an observation aircraft recently observed a 10km^2 ice fragment floating only a couple kilometers away from the ice walls. Currently preparations are underway to ready an icebreaker and provide optimal provisions for a camp.

Complete Move-In (95 > 30) - Even under the most ideal circumstances, move-ins can often collapse into chaotic and drawn-out affairs. Fortunately, thanks to effective planning, the IIEW's move to a permanent headquarters went almost perfectly. Trucks encountered little traffic while carrying loads of furniture across town and a dispute over which office would get the newest electric typewriters was harmoniously resolved with a coin flip. Finishing the move has opened up the possibility for expanding leadership. (Unlocks Projects to Hire HQ Staff)

Winterize Vehicles (50/50) - Mechanics have been working day and night to overhaul the Expedition's substantial fleet of vehicles to make them better equipped for cold weather conditions. Engine and battery heaters have been installed, tires have been replaced, and regular coolants and lubricants have been substituted for specialized low-temperature ones. These preparations leave the Expedition ready to continue operations right through Ushuaia's harsh winter. (Removes Winter Development Roll Penalty)

Request University Assistance - Lara Stepanova has made a marathon of calls to universities across the world in an attempt to gauge interest in research partnerships. Many institutions have expressed interest and several provisional partnerships have already been agreed upon. But Lara has set her eyes on a more extensive partnership that can provide the Expedition with an infusion of resources. She has narrowed the options for this flagship collaboration to three universities.

• [ ] University of Tasmania - An institution that has been closely connected with studies of the ice walls and its surroundings, the University of Tasmania is particularly interested in studying the glacial dynamics and weather of the walls. (+10 Bonus Resources on Completion of Research Projects Involving Earth Sciences)
• [ ] Tianjin University - Despite their distance from the ice walls, China has been an eager supporter of the IIEW and this has extended to Tianjin University which is well-known for its world-class technical and engineering programs. They see the ice walls as a new field for testing the cutting-edge. (+10 Bonus Resources on Completion of Research Projects Involving Engineering)
• [ ] Royal University of Constantinople - Although the declining and increasingly isolated Kingdom of Greece is not a member of the IIEW, the Royal University is interested in collaboration regarding medical and biological research in extreme environments. (+10 Bonus Resources on Completion of Research Projects Involving Life Sciences)

Launch Weather Balloons (71/50) - For the past month, scientists aboard the converted minesweeper Aegis have released weather balloons from the deck twice a day. Carried towards the ice walls by prevailing winds, several balloons are predicted to have penetrated as far as 150km into the interior, a new record. But the real prize is the insight provided regarding the high-altitude weather conditions above the walls. Although ground-level data remains elusive, the weather balloon data already stands to benefit aviation. (+5 Bonus to Future Rolls Involving Aviation)

Research Arctic Survival (87/50) - Extensive inquiries have been conducted into survival techniques in the Arctic, including the deployment of field personnel to the Arctic Circle. Interviews of Inuit and Chukchi who are indigenous to the region have been fruitful, especially their guidance in the construction of warm, improvised structures out of snow and effective dieting in frigid conditions. The new information is already being added to the Expedition's training curriculum and pamphlets containing survival basics for field use have been printed. (+5 Bonus to Future Rolls Involving Survival, -10 to the DC for "The High Jump")

Study Altitude Effects (18/150) - Efforts to study altitude effects have run into two major roadblocks. Firstly, there have been difficulties obtaining copies of existing studies into altitude and the human body since many of these belong to militaries who have been apprehensive about handing their results to an international organization. Secondly, attempts to conduct the Expedition's own studies have been hindered by lack of access to a proper pressure chamber, although workarounds exist, they do not substitute fully for the real thing. So far, the results have been hazy and possibly inaccurate.

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Voting for university partnership open.