The Diverse Role of an Expedition Tech Wrangler

Tom Interviewing Titus On Climate And Ice Change – Photo by Tom McGuire

As an avid explorer and technologist, I seized the opportunity to join the Arctic Cowboys 2023 expedition in a daring quest to become the first to navigate the legendary Northwest Passage in a single season using only human-powered kayaks. Led by West Hansen with Jeff Wueste, Eileen Visser, Mark Agnew, Barbara Edington as Expedition Manager, and myself as Expedition Tech Wrangler, our ambitious goal held a deeper significance beyond adventure, underscoring the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect Arctic environments. Our expedition should not have been possible.

For four arduous months spanning mid-June through mid-October, The Arctic Cowboys expedition consumed my every waking moment, becoming an all-encompassing driving force that eclipsed billable hours, hobbies, and even life’s mundane routines. Throughout all of this, I drew strength from the unwavering love of my wife Kiwe and our daughters, as I set out on a journey destined to leave an indelible mark in the annals of history.

Days before we departed from Austin, a special package arrived in the mail – a coveted Explorers Club Flag bearing #214. Our Arctic Cowboys expedition had earned the distinction as a full-fledged expedition, not merely an adventure, validated by the esteemed Flag and Honors Committee. I was grateful that headquarters could expedite our application process.

In my role as Expedition Tech Wrangler and primarily remote support crew, traveling to the Arctic for this expedition was admittedly unorthodox. And rightly so – I’m no kayaker and I would not be taking a paddle in hand. However, my presence on-site at base camp proved necessary, allowing me to calibrate real-world weather conditions against the over two dozen monitoring tools and predictive models I’d rely on throughout our journey. It was West who promptly dubbed me the team’s “Q” – our very own James Bond technology outfitter.

Traversing the frozen expanses of Eclipse Sound, its landscapes at times mirroring Superman’s mythical Fortress of Solitude, we faced a gauntlet of daunting challenges. Navigating treacherous ice-choked pressure ridges and braving the remote, unforgiving Arctic environment.

In one incident, one of our guides had miscalculated the angle of approach in crossing an open lead. I found myself and others ejected from our Qamutik, a chariot of hate, bucking and protesting against the unforgiving ice, into a large lead in the sea ice exposing several hundred feet of sub-freezing seawater. The undertow, a perilous reminder of the Arctic’s unyielding grip, grabbed at my feet, relentless as a hungry predator. As the frigid depths threatened to extinguish my last spark, I unleashed a primal cry, “Pull, PULL!” West and Mark, trained and ready for any event, hoisted my waterlogged form back from oblivion, defying the tidal currents’ icy clutches. In that suspended moment where catastrophe loomed, we emerged unscathed. Then followed two days of hypothermia with warmth and relief soon arriving as my core temperature fully returned to its equilibrium.

During my time at Mittimatilik (Pond Inlet) and Floe Edge, my focus centered on thorough preparation, diligent media duties, and journaling, as well as having engaging conversations with key community members and learning through osmosis – connections that proved invaluable as our expedition pushed forward. Much of my away time was spent under the constant mentorship of Titus Alloloo, a living library of generational Arctic knowledge. Titus imparted important lessons, reshaped my understanding of the Inuit lifestyle, and shared a philosophy of living with the land in a region of the globe I previously thought to be barren. Steve and Heidi McCandless exemplified community nurturing at the highest level. Both Steve and Heidi live a life of service and faith. They both guided me to a better understanding of the complex social dynamics and history of Arctic communities.

Throughout the expedition, the challenge of seamlessly observing, integrating, and expanding technology’s use to facilitate outside communication and enhance team safety measures was embraced. Prior education at Harvard’s Extension School in Meteorology and Coastal Navigation training at NauticEd improved my expertise in mapping, satellite weather monitoring, maritime navigation, and cartography – extremely important for guiding the team through hazardous conditions. Upon the mid-August return home, all focus and energy was directed toward providing remote support and meteorological guidance as the team navigated the labyrinthine waters of the Canadian archipelago.

There was constant parallel processing to solve field information needs, with communications funneled back and forth slower than an hourglass’s sands. Barbara interpreted my “geek speak” into digestible messages for the team via painfully delayed satellite systems. Hundreds of hours were spent jointly navigating the field team through Arctic waters and locating safe nighttime stops.

Beyond expedition field support, I managed communication devices and spearheaded fundraising efforts. I nurtured sponsor relationships, developed our website, managed updates to it, and established and grew our social media presence. These efforts not only enhanced our expedition’s operational efficiency but also amplified our reach, allowing us to share our journey with a broader audience and raise awareness about the importance of our mission.

While the Arctic Cowboys’ successful expedition has concluded, my work supporting the team continues with media requests and website updates. The imprint of this expedition will be forever etched upon my soul. The gravitas of nearly losing everything in those icy depths, the logistical complexities that threatened our progress, the moments where miscalculation could have meant calamity – each instance was a sobering reminder of nature’s uncompromising force. Yet our perseverance prevailed, fortified by the quick-witted kayakers, steadfast support team, and family members. As I’ve returned to my regular cadence, I carry the Arctic’s lessons of meticulous planning, unflappable teamwork, and humility in the face of the unknown. This journey was a sacred rite of passage, tempering my spirit with hard-won wisdom while igniting an insatiable appetite for future exploits into the obscure fringes of our world.

Sky Over Baffin Island – Photo by Tom McGuire

 

Eclipse Sound towards Bylot Island at Pond Inlet – Photo by Tom McGuire

 

The Arctic Cowboys Staging for July 1 Departure – Photo by Tom McGuire