One of the activities this season at the Pole for the ARA experiment was the testing of the RAM (Rapid Air Movement) drill. This drill uses a convoy of air compressors to spin a cutting head, and then uses the rest of the air flow to blow the chips (snow & ice bits) out of the hole. Mike Jayrad is the operator of the drill and did a fantastic job proving its viability at the South Pole. Many people thought it wouldn't work at all at high altitude and with the very porous firn (top layer of packed snow).
The train of vehicles is the tow tractor/dozer, three Ingersol-Rand air compressors, and then the hose reel+generators+controls on the last sled.
Dr. DuVernois Blog
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