Squirrel Camp

Our research camp in Kluane began as a dirt-floored wall tent and has continued to evolve with the project over the past 17 years. We have recently winterized some structures to allow researchers to use the camp during the winter. The main structure and data hut are heated by a wood stove and propane heater and are surrounded by an electric bear fence. We have no permanent electricity but occasionally run generators to recharge laptop batteries and other electronic equipment. We are working toward complete solar power with generators used only for backup electrical power. We truck water to our camp from Haines Junction and pump it into a small water tower shown at the left of the picture. This provides some running water in the kitchen. We use a propane stove and two small refrigerators to cook and store food. Squirrel Camp houses anywhere from 2 to 15 people during the field season. The conditions are rustic but the camp functions very well as a self-sustained research facility in close proximity to our study areas.