COAST-X 2026: From Concept to Cold-Weather Reality

Preparations for COAST-X 2026 are officially gaining momentum, and the transition from planning to hands-on field readiness is well underway. 

 One major milestone arrived recently with the delivery of our BRP snowmachines. With that, the all-important break-in period has begun. Over the past several days, we’ve been logging miles on trails around Fairbanks in fresh, deep snow, with temperatures ranging from –22 to –40°F (–30 to –40°C). So far, we’ve put about 25 miles (~40 km) on the machines, and they’ve performed flawlessly—starting reliably in extreme cold and running smoothly in the crisp Arctic air. It’s an encouraging sign as we prepare for a long traverse along Alaska’s western and northern coasts.

Logistics are ramping up in parallel. Field supplies and equipment are beginning to arrive, boxes are stacking up, and another exciting milestone was reached with the arrival of our MALA GPR system from Guideline Geo. This system will play a key role in our subsurface investigations as we travel between coastal communities during the traverse.

Behind the scenes, the growing momentum is making the expedition feel increasingly real: 

• Field planning and mobilization are in high gear 
• Equipment testing and staging are well underway 
• Permitting is progressing smoothly and nearing completion 
• The COAST-X website and broader communications plan are coming together 
• A project logo and infographic are in development with Arctic Haven 

We are deeply grateful to the Alaska-based businesses helping us get outfitted and field-ready, including Alaska Gear Company, Delta Powersports, Apocalypse Design, and Arctic Haven. Their expertise and support are essential to making Arctic fieldwork—and meaningful community engagement—possible in our state. 

After several years of envisioning and planning this ambitious traverse, it’s energizing to see COAST-X steadily moving into an active preparation phase. We extend our thanks to the many partners and collaborators who continue to help move this effort forward, including the National Science Foundation, University of Alaska Fairbanks, UAF Institute of Northern Engineering, and Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. 

With a mid-March launch on the horizon, more updates are on the way. Stay tuned as we continue gearing up for COAST-X 2026.