April 9th (Day 8)
The day started with a problem; one of the fuel canisters in my pulk had leaked overnight. Luckily I store the fuel lower than my food so it wasn't affected but it’s a real pain. I had to empty everything out, fill the pulk with snow to soak up the fuel and then repack everything before we could leave.
Although we started the morning with a long climb we soon began crossing frozen inlets. These gave us our first (welcome) taste of moving across ice and a much needed burst of pace.
The weather was cold and overcast to start but in the afternoon a strong wind came up which moved the pulks around behind us. We stopped to put on windproof layers and had to huddle behind the pulks as windbreaks for our rest stops.
We camped on a beautiful frozen lake and I spent the evening patching my jacket after I burnt it on the stove. Doh!
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
Friday, 10 April 2009
April 8th
April 8th (Day 7)
Current position 75 08N 94 17W
While pulling last night the bird dropped in again - we’re probably the most interesting thing for miles. It paraded up and down in front of us and then flew off - I have no idea what it eats out here!
The day was quite dull. We rest for a few minutes each hour, sitting on our sleds alongside each other so we can chat. Our conversations are therefore entirely random - a collection of our thoughts from the last hour, and how the mind wonders! Today for example, we gave each other super-hero names; tried to work out what Goofy is if Pluto is a dog; and created a list of famous cats. Answers on a postcard please
In the last couple of hours the terrain got much more interesting. We entered a series of gullies and really had to work hard to manhandle the sledges through. Tonight we put some distance between us and the gullies as they are more likely to have bears wandering around in them.
April 7th
April 7th (Day 6)
Big day today; pants and socks changing day! I wouldn't normally bother after just five days but I wanted to treat myself! I won’t go into details but let’s just say the mission was a success.
I was feeling a bit low on the way into camp at the end of the day but I suddenly had a massive sweat and my mood lifted – really weird. I think my body is struggling to acclimatise to the incredibly cold temperatures - but it hasn't happened since.
Last night we had a bird come into the camp – no idea where it came from or why it dropped in. It didn't seem bothered by us at all and walked around the tents having a good look. It may sound like a little thing – but out here that’s quite a big diversion.
The satellite phone has been giving me grief over the last few days. I haven't been able to maintain a signal long enough to send my blog updates. The issue seems to be past so hopefully the next few posts can go out ok.
Big day today; pants and socks changing day! I wouldn't normally bother after just five days but I wanted to treat myself! I won’t go into details but let’s just say the mission was a success.
I was feeling a bit low on the way into camp at the end of the day but I suddenly had a massive sweat and my mood lifted – really weird. I think my body is struggling to acclimatise to the incredibly cold temperatures - but it hasn't happened since.
Last night we had a bird come into the camp – no idea where it came from or why it dropped in. It didn't seem bothered by us at all and walked around the tents having a good look. It may sound like a little thing – but out here that’s quite a big diversion.
The satellite phone has been giving me grief over the last few days. I haven't been able to maintain a signal long enough to send my blog updates. The issue seems to be past so hopefully the next few posts can go out ok.
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
April 6th
April 6th (Day 5)
We got up at 5am and were pulling by 8am. It had been a very cold night and I woke up shivering a few times.
The pace today was much better and we easily covered 4 miles this morning - this was despite Phil feeling low on energy all day. In the afternoon we hit a series of gorges where navigation was difficult. Crossing the gorges was really slow and hard work; it took all four of us to get each pulk up the sides.
I managed to break a ski binding today - perhaps due to the tough going – but we all have spares so it only took ten minutes to fix.
We saw signs of wildlife throughout the day. But while we crossed arctic fox tracks quite a few times we never actually saw one.
We got up at 5am and were pulling by 8am. It had been a very cold night and I woke up shivering a few times.
The pace today was much better and we easily covered 4 miles this morning - this was despite Phil feeling low on energy all day. In the afternoon we hit a series of gorges where navigation was difficult. Crossing the gorges was really slow and hard work; it took all four of us to get each pulk up the sides.
I managed to break a ski binding today - perhaps due to the tough going – but we all have spares so it only took ten minutes to fix.
We saw signs of wildlife throughout the day. But while we crossed arctic fox tracks quite a few times we never actually saw one.
April 4th
April 4th (Day 3)
It was very slow going today. Ian was struggling with the weight of his pulk which carries everything he needs and weighs around 90kg. We had expected to move relatively slowly at first as the pulks are at their heaviest, but the lack of snow on the land crossing has hampered us further. Phil, Mark and I took some of Ian's food but we were on the limit of what we could pull ourselves.
By early afternoon we made the decision to dump some weight and got rid of some of the food we were carrying. It looks like we may get a bit hungry towards the end of the trip! We heard from Becky who is recovering well and is expected to join us in five days. We have told her to dump some food too!
It was very slow going today. Ian was struggling with the weight of his pulk which carries everything he needs and weighs around 90kg. We had expected to move relatively slowly at first as the pulks are at their heaviest, but the lack of snow on the land crossing has hampered us further. Phil, Mark and I took some of Ian's food but we were on the limit of what we could pull ourselves.
By early afternoon we made the decision to dump some weight and got rid of some of the food we were carrying. It looks like we may get a bit hungry towards the end of the trip! We heard from Becky who is recovering well and is expected to join us in five days. We have told her to dump some food too!
April 2nd & 3rd
April 3rd (Day 2)
Current position 74°45N 94°42N
With Becky still feeling very ill in the morning, and being still very close to Resolute, the decision was made to have Becky picked up by skidoo (a motorized sled). This would take her to the medical centre in Resolute where she could be diagnosed and recover. Once better, Becky would be skidood out to catch us up.
Becky and the skidoo left about 10.30am. We then pulled 6 hours before making camp high up on the plateau. The weather was relatively warm and I tend to get warm anyway, so with the added effort of walking and pulling I spent most of the time in just my base layers to stay cool.
We are camped in a beautiful position tonight and are hoping for good weather again tomorrow.
April 2nd (Day 1)
By chance our expedition began the day after the 10 year anniversary of the creation of Nunavut province. Nunavut, meaning ‘our land’, is an area the size of Western Europe – with a population of under 30,000. It was created for the Inuit people so it was a particularly poignant time to be walking between two of the most significant Inuit communities.
By chance our expedition began the day after the 10 year anniversary of the creation of Nunavut province. Nunavut, meaning ‘our land’, is an area the size of Western Europe – with a population of under 30,000. It was created for the Inuit people so it was a particularly poignant time to be walking between two of the most significant Inuit communities.
Although we have only been on the expedition for two days now, we have already had our first drama. We left resolute about 9.30 on April 2nd. Walking in two teams I was guiding Ian and Becky while Mark followed with Phil a little later. Everyone was keen to get out of Resolute and get on with expedition - but the initial going was very tough with a climb from sea level up to 800 metres. It was a tough initiation for the guys who hadn't pulled a sled before! It wasn’t helped by having to cross areas of rubble not covered by the snow which really eats into the sledges. But spirits were kept high by singing electric six hits!
However, the drama was beginning to play out. Becky had not felt well the night before we set out but had been very keen to start the expedition. However, towards the end of the first day she began to feel worse and was ill again in the night.
Thursday, 2 April 2009
April 1st
1st April - Resolute Bay
Resolute is the staging post for so many Arctic expeditions that South Camp Inn, our hotel, is absolutely packed at this time of year. You don’t really expect to have to pre-book in the Arctic – but you do.
Polar Race are in town training 13 people for a race to the position of the 1996 Magnetic North Pole (this is continually moving north-west). They are filming the training so watch out for the documentary soon – especially the moment when a competitor had to chase down a Husky puppy that had run off with his glove. Priceless.
On Monday and Tuesday we camped out on the bay. This allowed us to test our tents, stoves and some of the specialist kit we need for the trip. It also gave us the time to perfect our drill for a polar bear attack. This is vital, very serious and happily working very well.
Three of the team are carrying flares and bangers which will hopefully scare off any snooping bears. Mark and I carry shot guns in case they don’t get deterred. If the worst happens and we need to shoot one of the bears we will have to radio the authorities to explain what happened and give its position for collection.
Our planned route has been changed to avoid the open water we had been warned about. We will now cross Cornwallis Island itself rather than going around the island on the sea ice. We have relayed this to the local police so they know where to look for us should they need to. The new route will save about 10 miles in terms of distance but will make the first part of the expedition much harder. We expect the land crossing to take about a week.
I am anxious to get going tomorrow morning. I had a bit of back ache on Monday but this seems much better now and I just want to get under way, hoping that the first few days go smoothly so we can settle into a rhythm. We aim to start pulling around 10.00 – it’s all got very, very real.
Resolute is the staging post for so many Arctic expeditions that South Camp Inn, our hotel, is absolutely packed at this time of year. You don’t really expect to have to pre-book in the Arctic – but you do.
Polar Race are in town training 13 people for a race to the position of the 1996 Magnetic North Pole (this is continually moving north-west). They are filming the training so watch out for the documentary soon – especially the moment when a competitor had to chase down a Husky puppy that had run off with his glove. Priceless.
On Monday and Tuesday we camped out on the bay. This allowed us to test our tents, stoves and some of the specialist kit we need for the trip. It also gave us the time to perfect our drill for a polar bear attack. This is vital, very serious and happily working very well.
Three of the team are carrying flares and bangers which will hopefully scare off any snooping bears. Mark and I carry shot guns in case they don’t get deterred. If the worst happens and we need to shoot one of the bears we will have to radio the authorities to explain what happened and give its position for collection.
Our planned route has been changed to avoid the open water we had been warned about. We will now cross Cornwallis Island itself rather than going around the island on the sea ice. We have relayed this to the local police so they know where to look for us should they need to. The new route will save about 10 miles in terms of distance but will make the first part of the expedition much harder. We expect the land crossing to take about a week.
I am anxious to get going tomorrow morning. I had a bit of back ache on Monday but this seems much better now and I just want to get under way, hoping that the first few days go smoothly so we can settle into a rhythm. We aim to start pulling around 10.00 – it’s all got very, very real.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)