Can I touch the snow with my hands?
Yes, this is not a problem. After all, the snow has been lying on the ground. If you have woollen gloves, it is better to take these off to avoid getting fibres into the sample.
The snow looks dirty. Should I still collect it?
No. If the snow is very dirty, it may have been disturbed by animals, people, or machines. Try to find as clean snow as possible, at least 50 meters away from roads and, if possible, away from trees and bushes.
It has not snowed recently and the snow is old and grainy. Should I still collect it?
Yes. In this case, collect a snow sample by pushing the sampling tube upside down into the snow to collect the top 10 cm of the snowpack on the ground.
The snow is very hard and icy, how do I get it into the sampling tube?
You can crush the snow into smaller pieces with the bottom of the sampling tube. Sometimes it is enough to crush the top, and the snow underneath is softer, so you can push the tube in. If you feel the snow is too hard to break up with the tube, don't collect a sample here.
If I have multiple ISOSCANer kits, how far apart should I collect the different samples to make them useful?
It is best if the different samples are at least 2 km apart from each other.
Which samples are most useful for the science?
As a rule of thumb, samples from more remote locations are the most useful. However, it is critical that you DO NOT TAKE RISKS to access areas where you may be in danger. Safety First! Always pay attention to avalanche warnings and avoid areas where you could fall or injure yourself.
I forgot to return my sample. What should I do?
Don't worry, the sample will not go bad for a long time. However, please return your sample to a collection site as soon as possible. If you are far from collection sites, contact us for other delivery options. You can write an email to post.isoscan@uib.no
I forgot to collect a sample. What should I do?
Either take a sample later, or return the empty kit and keep the card - at least you tried!