Børge Ousland

Hello this is Svante calling. After spending the night on the base, we drifted even further south and took the decision to start directly from the base this morning, which was just 9 kilometres from the 89 degree. This turned out to the right decision, since it has been whiteout conditions the whole day, difficult to see, and not possible for the helicopters to fly.

We had very comfortable temperatures today, only between minus 5-10C. It has been an exiting day with lots of crossings of small leads and open water. Almost every hour we encountered open leads, but we always managed to find a way around them. We have done 10 kilometres today, but drift south with a speed of 400 metres an hour due to northerly winds. Sprits are high, all participants are doing great and there have been no accidents of any kind.
Speak to you tomorrow, all the best from Svante.

We left Longyear on schedule 1330 today, and landed at Barneo Ice Station 2,5 hours later. Weather is mild due to westerly winds, with minus 10C, some snow and a bit of wind. The falling snow has caused icing on the helicopter rotors; there will therefore not be any helicopter flight to 89`0 degrees today.

Barneo is situated at 89`07 north and 166 degrees east, the base drifts south with a speed of 0,3-0,4 kilometres an hour. We have pitched camp, eaten dinner and will get into our bags now. Tomorrow we expect to start skiing, ether directly from the base since we are very close to 89, or if weather permits, fly the 13 kilometres back to 89`0. Everyone is in good shape and we are exited to see what tomorrow will bring.

Best regards from Svante