Happy campers: Victor and Igor

WEDNESDAY: Not an easy day as total white-out engulfed them. The lack of contrast makes it very hard to navigate and is mentally draining for the one in front. For the one behind it is a little better. But as you can not see any sastugi or bumps in the snow you are constantly thrown off balance. – So, they did well to cover 18,8km which is longer than the average they need to get to the Pole in time. Now they have less than 100km left as they have broken into the 89^th degree!

TUESDAY: 23km today and they are really getting the routines going. Consistency is everything over long distances. And it is obvious them talking to them that they enjoy themselves now. Tomorrow they are looking at breaking into the 89° and the homerun! Their camp tonight was at 88°57.366S 170°00.625W

Practicing at Union Glacier to get everything right.

MONDAY: Another good day and 22,3km closer to the Pole. They hope to du the same distance today, and by all accounts they should be in great shape to reach the Jubilee at the 14^th December. They have to do 17-18km pr day, which they are well capable of. We must just hope we do not get any weather days…

It is all smiles from Victor!

SUNDAY: Igor sounded very happy today. It was nice, warm and sunny he reported. – That may be a Russian understatement, but fact is that they descended another 50 metres and the wind was almost nothing.

So they did another 18km and their consistency looks very good. That is always something we look for. If you tick off the same distance day and day out you have found the rhythm and have control. They have 160km left for the Pole!

Igor before departure on the skis decorated by his family!

SATURDAY: A very cheerful duo called in and reported a new record of 18,8km, the weather was better and they had descended 50 metres. They report also that they are now in good shape and feel the bodied work well and the acclimatising is over. They are ready to push harder if the weather allows and they have to reach the 14^th.

But the big thing fore these very historically minded guys was that when they camped at S88°23,033 / 170°00,232 Saturday Friday evening it meant they had beaten Ernest Shackleton’s record. He turned around this close to the coveted South Pole and just survived the return trip. To this day he is held in the highest regard among Norwegian and international Polar Explorers.

FRIDAY: They reported to have reached the top of Titian Dome. This is he highest they will get and probably at some 3100m. Titan is fared by all polar explorers as it is also reckoned to be the coldest place out there. Igor said they had logged -40°C, but luckily the wind was very weak and they managed to cover 16,5km.

From here it will be a slight descent to the South Pole at 2800m. Not steep, but everything helps. They are optimistic they will increase their distances from now on. They need some 18km pr day, but they are optimistic!

Home, sweet home

Finally the sun was out again

THURSDAY: Again they called in as they woke up. It is confusing hearing ‘Good morning, Lars’ as I am preparing to go to bed. But it was a cheerful duo. They had moved 15,04km and really started to feel comfortable. Almost acclimatised now, was Igor’s verdict.

That is very good news. They are at a considerable altitude where hard workouts are tough. The distance tells two tails: Both that they are getting stronger and that the weather is better. Still cold, but sun and much less wind. Stay with us!

Position: S 88°04.183 / 169°56.777

Victor testing just before heading out

WEDNESDAY: They called in last night and had done a planned 8,5km trek. The wind had decreased a bit and they felt it was time to get moving.

It was heavy going as they are heading for Titan Dome, the very highest point on the route. They are eager to get over in the hope of less wind on the stretch to the geographical South Pole.

They were happy and pleased with progress as wind is probably going to le better tomorrow.

Position: S87° 56.065 / 169°56.517

SATURDAY: As they were left off, they did a short 5km trek just to get the feel of everything. The first day was used on enhancing details and routines. But ready for a careful, feel the altitude, first full day the weather hit them. -30°C and a full gale meant it was just too risky to venture out for skiing. So they were tent bound as we later heard several other expedition were on Saturday.

By Monday morning the wind had eased off somewhat and they were contemplating giving it a go. We will find out when they call in late tonight. The are, as Amundsen, following the New Zealand time zone, so reports will come at strange hours.

FRIDAY: Finally the wait was over! Igor and Victor was flown by Twin Otter from Union Glacier, over the South Pole and to Amundsen’s 54^th Camp. From here they will start their quest to reach the South Pole at the 100 Years anniversary of Amundsen’s conquering along his route.

It will not be an easy task as they start at almost the highest point where big altitude, headwind and sever cold will mean they need time just to acclimatise and get up to speed.

The reason for them doing this trip alone is the very long delay caused by weather and technical issues. They had planned to start out with Christan Eide and the Ousland Team, but as Igor’s wife is expected to the South Pole for the 14^th, they made the hard decision to break away and go alone.

By this they have shortened the distance somewhat and given themselves a fair chance of reaching the Jubilee in time, while still following on the ski tracks of Roald Amundsen from 1911. We will follow them here on www.Ousland.com

Igor and Victor in the Twin Otter