The team put in another great day, traveling about 9 nautical miles during their 7 hours on the trail. They pitched their tents for the night at north 89 degrees 23 minutes, east 155 degrees. For those of you who don't typically follow expeditions or practice precise navigation recreationally, a degree of latitude measures 60 nautical miles (1.852 kilometers; 1.15 statute or "normal" miles), and consists of 60 minutes, each of which, as you might expect, equals one nautical mile.
The team faced two challenges on the trail today. First, they encountered quite a bit of rubble and pressure ridges, which require a lot of time and energy to traverse. Second, overcast skies shrouded the icescape in flat light. Most everywhere else on the planet that's not such a big deal, but, on the Arctic Icecap where visual contrast can be hard to come by, flat light can hugely affect visibility and even impede one's balance. When everything around you is a similar shade of grayish white, it's easy to lose your equilibrium and stumble as you ski, even when you're on totally flat ice! It's a unique environmental challenge.
A southeast wind swept across the icecap today, which drops the temperature a bit (about -20 C today), and also directs icecap drift. Fortunately for our team, the current wind conditions are creating a slight northerly drift. They can't rely on the drift to carry them to the Pole, but it sure gives them some peace of mind. When you zip up your sleeping bag for the night it's always nice to know that the drift won't carry you further away from the Pole while you get some sleep!
As Michael mentions in his audio update, the team came across some polar bear tracks today--an awesome, wild experience. Not to worry though, the team is carrying a small arsenal of bear deterrents: flares and blanks to scare away unwanted visitors, and shotgun slugs and shells, though these are hardly ever necessary.
Check back for more updates on this very impressive team!
The team faced two challenges on the trail today. First, they encountered quite a bit of rubble and pressure ridges, which require a lot of time and energy to traverse. Second, overcast skies shrouded the icescape in flat light. Most everywhere else on the planet that's not such a big deal, but, on the Arctic Icecap where visual contrast can be hard to come by, flat light can hugely affect visibility and even impede one's balance. When everything around you is a similar shade of grayish white, it's easy to lose your equilibrium and stumble as you ski, even when you're on totally flat ice! It's a unique environmental challenge.
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| Sled, tent and...Where's that horizon? |
A southeast wind swept across the icecap today, which drops the temperature a bit (about -20 C today), and also directs icecap drift. Fortunately for our team, the current wind conditions are creating a slight northerly drift. They can't rely on the drift to carry them to the Pole, but it sure gives them some peace of mind. When you zip up your sleeping bag for the night it's always nice to know that the drift won't carry you further away from the Pole while you get some sleep!
As Michael mentions in his audio update, the team came across some polar bear tracks today--an awesome, wild experience. Not to worry though, the team is carrying a small arsenal of bear deterrents: flares and blanks to scare away unwanted visitors, and shotgun slugs and shells, though these are hardly ever necessary.
Check back for more updates on this very impressive team!
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