Yes, here I am again – or more precisely at N89°21’26”, E79°05’25”. From here it is 71.8 km to the North Pole. We walked 25 km today and in this respect we have had a good day.
We thought our surprises were over – but this morning we woke up to a truly magnificent sight! Suddenly the sun seemed much brighter; we saw it in a completely different light, so to speak. There were shadows that hadn’t been there before. We started wondering if what we thought was a glimpse of the sun the last few days, wasn’t that at all – merely an illusion created by sunlight bending over the horizon. We know that happens at the North Pole a few days before the sun really comes up.
Well, we’re close to the North Pole, but there is still a ways to go, so we suppose it’s only natural that it rises here a little earlier than at N90°. The sun sure looked different today. Suddenly there were true shadows and a terrific play of light on the ice. It gave us a real burst of renewed energy to see our surroundings in a whole new way, with real sunlight, instead of the muted pastel landscape that we have been walking in the last few weeks.
As I’ve been walking today, I have been recapitulating our journey. There are many great feelings. Today has been a good day with regards to conditions, and skiing has not been too difficult.
My friend, however, is quite ill. Rather than getting better, Mike feels worse, having had one of his roughest days ever. He almost never gets sick and can hardly remember the last time. Today we put him on antibiotics. In addition, we have contact with a physician to find out if there is anything else that should be done. Be assured that we’re doing everything we can right here. I have taken some of the weight from Mikes sled and have taken over the various and sundry tasks that need doing, in order to make it more manageable for Mike. Naturally we’re evaluating the situation continually. He is suffering; there is something wrong with his entire system. And that is a real pity.
