Katabatic Wind

In the Antarctica and the Greenland ice cap, there is a wind called a "Katabatic wind". It is a descending cold air, quite stable like a wind from an electric fan. Its wind speed varied depending on the geographical formation of the area.

Greenland has an area that is 6 times of that of Japan, and on its surface is the ice cap whose average thickness is 1,600 meters. I have an impression that over a long period of time the ice has accumulated over several mountains. That is why from time to time I come across nunataks (mountain peaks appearing above the surface of the ice cap). As opposed to Antarctica's monotonouslyflat surface, Greenland has hills and valleys which are quite noticable.

On a sunny day, drying clothes by hanging them on ski boards

Going along a contour line feels like traveling through a valley. If the valley is shallow, the katabatic wind makes it into the valley, and the snow briskly moves about the surface like water flowing in a river.

On the contrary, if the valley is too deep, the katabatic wind cannot reach to the bottom of the valley. It just sweeps past high up in the air, leaving little wind for skisailing. Depending on your location, you can ride on the katabatic wind from the 3,000-meter-high ice cap into the sea.