Børge Ousland

Wednesday: They are now less than 1000km from the edge of Antarctica. The last two days became an on / off marathon as they tried to utilise the wind. This gave another 88,3km North, but all in all they recon they sailed some 150km as they searched for good wind angles.

They had to admit that had they been more experienced, they would have gotten further. But all in all, a good start. Now it seems they will have another slow day with hardly no wind. This may mean a forced rest day.

Tuesday Morning: Good news last night. The wind came and in pure joy they sailed 25km in a few hours. Then the wind died and they fought lines, kites and frustration for another 6 km.

But! 31 km and the South pole station gone from the horizon is great. Now we hope the wind will stay with them for some days so that they can get past the 88° parallel where the plateau slopes down and wind is (supposed) to be better for sailing. It was a very happy bunch that says hello. They really got the taste of the thrill of dancing with the wind. As soon as the wind picks up they will be out of the sleeping bags and on their way!

Santa recommends you visit the North Pole with our Last Degree Expeditions soon!

Sunday: Thanks for dropping by last night. Really appreciated that, and the kids loved it. Great too that you took time off to have a drink and a chat, – even though it meant I could not get the South Pole blog written. But those guys are still in the same place, so not much to report.

It was interesting to hear how inspired you were from following our blog. And you are right, their trip with the Ross Barrier, the Axel Heiberg Glacier and the relentless Plateau is incredible. I can see your point that it may be a good idea to move the Santa Home & Workshop from the North Pole to the South. We have also bee worried for quite some time about the decrease in ice up there. Out Last Degree trips there is popular, ‘cause we do not know how long our unique setup may work if the ice continues to melt at this rate.

For you it must be even more worrying. I hope we were able to give to some sound advice and facts. Our knowledge is at the highest level, and as you pointed out, no one else have contemplated staging and ‘Open Expedition’ along this very tough route (I know you called it guided, but that is not how we handle these kind of trips). We have helped lots and lots of expeditions over the years, and would be happy to support you in a visit down there. To have a look first, even though the Big Centennial Celebrations is over, Antarctica’s enormity, uniqueness and beauty will always stay with the very few that is allowed to go.

And the guys? On the positive side: They got a White Christmas! On a (slight) downside was another day of headwind. That meant staying put and more training with kites. They feel now very much ready to go. But, in the evening, they all got together in a one tent and celebrated together. Christmas Dinner was – eh – like all the others. But the dessert was 1 kg of sweets!

Christian, Silje, Jacob, Gørild, Teo and Rory

Thursday morning / South Pole (still): Our folks find them selves in unknown territory. Not geographically, but weather-wise. They need and want wind! That is not what Polar explorers normally do. But right now they want the wind to blow as it always do at the Pole, catabatically towards the coast.

Helas, – both visibility, wind and wind directions have ben wild the last couple of days. This is too bad, so they wait it out. (Ref Rory by his kite…). They could have walked off, as they will walk a lot on the way back. Thing is, the first part out of the Pole area is flat and nice and perfect for getting up to speed and get the hang of expedition kiting as a team. So they wait.

Right now Saturday seems like the best option.

In the meantime, the enjoy life at the Pole and write postcards. Gørild is leading with over 100! Will be interesting to see how many arrives home after having been dealt with by the  South American Postal services…

Rory meditating, trying to force the wind to return!

Wednesday / South Pole: It was absolutely fantastic to arrive at the South Pole. The whole team bubbled over with joy and proudness. And, to be fair, it was a stunning trip. It was one of the fastest ever trips from the coast to the South Pole. They did one of the big historic routs, they did a rout that is harder, higher and colder than all other routs in use. And they did it in style: No problems, no wounds, no breaking of equipment, no mistakes. They did ii unsupported and unassisted. – What more can be asked? That they also walked like clockwork in very taxing and harsh conditions says a lot of the determination and preparation that has gone into this trip.

The Days at the Pole has been bliss. The Jubilee Camp was still up and they have been able to sit on chairs! Being served food! Drinking coffee and chatting leisurely. And even had the od glass of red vine!!!

It has been a well deserved day and a great way to let the victory sink in.

But now it is all hand on deck. They are looking ahead as the group will be split up here.

Trond and Linn-Elise will head home. Trond’s plan was always to head home after the Pole. Linn have to because of the very late start. She is running out of time. They will be accompanied by Ottar. Both he and Jacob got severe frostbites on their own trip to the Pole. Ottar’s is not healing as fast as hoped, and that, together with the fact that he will loose his job if he returns late, he has no other option but to go home. But all had the South Pole as their very Goal, and with that accomplished whey will return happy!

Jacob will return to Union Glacier and rest there for some time as he lets his wounds heal before he hope to climb Mt Vinson.

THE REST: Silje, Teo, Rory, Gørild and Christian will sett out on their mission to cross Antarctica. They will use a combination of skiing and kiting and hope to do it in around 3 weeks. They have prepared hard and should be ready to leave some time today.

So stay tuned, This is not over at all!

Monday morning / Day 20: Just received a quick call. The whole team has arrived at the Geographical South Pole. The were very proud and very Happy. Right now Ronny (the Norwegian Extreme Expedition Kiter and super Chef) served them a huge bowl of fish soup and like was great. – We will learn more later in the day! Well done.

Saturday / Day 18: All smiles today. The 35,6km just evaporated as they had a great day. The terrain changed as they got a bit further down, with lots of small clusters of sastugi. It made for fun and interesting walking.

Now they have just 38km left. They stick to their regime and plan 100%, refusing to push hard just to get there, The South Pole is a huge goal, – but in reality just a halfway mark. Risking anything just to get there a bit faster would be deviating from Polar handicraft which is ‘never leave a winning theme. It’s all about rhythm, routine, a strict timetable and rest.

Only Trond will leave the team here and go back. It will be sad to see him leave. Pretty sure he will de overjoyed to bag the Pole, but sad not to continue what has been an incredible adventure. – Though at Jæren in Norway they will be both proud and happy.

Great going!

Friday / Day 19: They are not all that communicative right now. They have started the last bit for the South Pole, so now they walk and sleep. Friday they did 33.6km. This leaves them some 73,4km to go. We have a sneaking feeling they may target Sunday evening as a possible arrival!

Will that be possible? If so it may be the fastest ever coast to the Pole journey in history… This lot is serious stuff. Anyway, they day was aging nice. Cold and sunny and they have descended to 2950m. Stay tuned!