[Paddlewise] "Ice caps" are not always cold.

To answer the question, "Was it cold on the "ice" cap?"...

For folks not acquainted with summer time mountaineering on big
icecaps in BC these are often hot places, sometimes
excruciatingly so.  It is highly unlikely that the plastic
bottles, boxes etc. were at all cold when they shattered.  The
ambient air temp. at drop time was around 60
degrees F, the solar radiation off the snow pack was a brutal
scorcher (we wore face masks, hats and gloves at all times to
keep from getting burned) and the airplane was nice and warm. 
Unless we can imagine the package dramatically cooled while
falling 7 or 8 seconds through 50-60 degree air, then it was a
room temp. impact.  Just like your kitchen and warmer than a boat
in the water in the PNW much of the year.  

RGM
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/
***************************************************************************