Ten miles in a little over six hours, that's team's travel stats for day one, and those are very impressive numbers. The team clearly worked very hard on their first full day out. However, lower travel numbers do not necessarily denote low effort. More often than not, ice conditions, rather than effort, determine how far the team travels on any given day.
As Simon ("Badge") touches on during his audio update, the team rarely skis on totally flat ice for more than 25 meters. They must constantly swerve around freestanding snow drifts and ice blocks, clamber over pressure ridges or find navigable passage across open water leads. When the team encounters more of these obstacles and fewer pans of flat ice, their mileage may decrease but their effort certainly does not.
The first full day of any expedition can pose problems for any group of adventurers, but the PolarExplorers team is already looking strong. Feel free to send in any question you might have about the expedition, and check back soon for more updates. You can also stay update on everything PolarExplorers via our facebook page.
As Simon ("Badge") touches on during his audio update, the team rarely skis on totally flat ice for more than 25 meters. They must constantly swerve around freestanding snow drifts and ice blocks, clamber over pressure ridges or find navigable passage across open water leads. When the team encounters more of these obstacles and fewer pans of flat ice, their mileage may decrease but their effort certainly does not.
The first full day of any expedition can pose problems for any group of adventurers, but the PolarExplorers team is already looking strong. Feel free to send in any question you might have about the expedition, and check back soon for more updates. You can also stay update on everything PolarExplorers via our facebook page.
Best of luck to Simon, Alex and the rest of the 2012 Last Degree Expedition. Give a big bear hug to Keith and Rick for me. You've started on a magical journey to "True North".
ReplyDeleteBob Keenan
Hi Bob, Chris here. Thanks for following! Hopefully we can set out on another trip together--either on skis or in a kayak on the Mediterranean!
ReplyDeleteChris:
ReplyDeleteSee you going South in 2014!