Mike and I have had a really good day! We have walked 31 km and drifted 5 km last night, putting a distance of 36 km between the two camps. That leaves 124 km to go before we reach the North Pole. Tonight’s position is N88°53’19”, E80°14’47”.
The wind has come from the east and the ice continues to drift northwards. The ice is really moving fast – it’s amazing how much conditions can change from one day to the next. The drift has certainly been useful and it seems to have closed the leads. Ice conditions have been excellent.
We enjoyed the company of the sun for four hours today. For a while it was completely over the horizon, before slowly sinking sideways just below. It’s light round-the-clock now.
Temperatures have been around –28°C, with an easterly wind of 7–8 metres per second. That has made it a bit chilly, but we really haven’t had any problems, and we continued walking at a nice even pace for 10 hours. Tonight the winds have calmed completely.
I wasn’t satisfied with the ski repairs that I did last night, and saw the need for some improvements. Anyways, I’ve been at it a couple of hours now, making the adjustments I want. I have doubled the skis with the sections that I sawed off the back, screwed and bolted them together as best I can, before refastening the bindings. Now they’re twice as thick, much stronger, and really should last all the way to the North Pole.
We’re not far away from 89th degree latitude. We’ll reach that tomorrow.
Hi,
You are doing great. It must be amazing to see and feel the warmth of the sun after all those days in the dark.
My husband, who is a pilot wants to know: How you geographically prove your position to somebody else that you are actually at the North Pole?
With any luck it could be in as little as four days, wow!
Kirsten and Mac
Vermont
Congratulations on your progress. Enjoy the dispatches of your amazing adventure.
When you get time, I and, I’m sure many others, would like to know how you power and keep powered your sat phone and GPS units?
Gil
Illinois