Current Score - Arctic 2 Us 0

Unfortunately, it is with significant disappointment that we have to write another update detailing bad news so soon after our decision not to attempt to ski to the Geographic North Pole due to the rapidly decreasing time-window. Having re-planned and repacked we departed Resolute Bay on Tuesday 8^thMarch headed for the Magnetic North pole. Despite achieving good daily mileage in an unforgiving environment and feeling both confident and strong, it was with huge disappointment that yesterday morning we had to make the impalpable decision to be extracted from the ice.

 

This decision was not taken lightly and was made because Jules had sustained cold injuries to his thumb and a number of fingers on his right hand.  Although not severe at this stage, if they had refrozen the consequences would have been very different.  Medical advice has been sought since we arrived back in Resolute Bay and confirmed that our initial treatment and the decision, due to concerns over the injury worsening, not to continue was supported.

 

This decision clearly and unfortunately signifies the end of any further activities inNorthern Canada for us this year.  Although the correct decision was made, the disappointment and dissatisfaction with our circumstances is presently hard to describe.

 

Our intention is now to return to the UK and start the process of planning and rescheduling another expedition to attempt to ski to the Geographic North Pole either in 2012 or 2013. 

 

We would like to sincerely thank-you for your support to date and hope that this support will continue in the future.

 

Matt and Jules

Todays home

Starting at last!

1.Day / Date - 8 Mar 11
2.Position – 74 40 56.2N 95 04 31.2W
3.Hours of work - 4
4.Wind Direction - everywhere
5.Temp Celsius - -34C
6.Daily Log – Matt / Jules

So we have started, not to where we had planned but now to the Magnetic North Pole. We have given ourselves 32 days to ski the distance, and these first few days will see us ski away from oyr destination. Also having done nothing for nearly 2 weeks, we will take these firstbfew days steady.

Thank you for all the messages of support over the last few days they have been very apprecaited. So different journry but still a challenge - as I write this the tent is being battered by a strong wind. Just our luck!

Maps to mark and diary to write - another update tomorrow.

Update sent thanks to Iridium

New plans

Today we spent the day planning and preparing for our new objective. We had to collect our sleds from the hangar where they had been prepositioned for our insertion flight, obtain mapping and recalculate mileage, food and fuel for the journey to the Magnetic North Pole. We also had to discuss and obtain a quote for a new extraction flight.

The preparation and planning is going well and, despite still dealing with the disappointment of yesterday's decision, we are well on track for setting off on Tuesday..

Latest News

Not good news from here I am afraid; we have, as you will know, been waiting to be inserted onto the ice since the 25 Feb. Today's forecast indicated that we won't fly until Monday at the earliest - and that the best flying conditions are Wednesday / Thursday of next week (9, 10 Mar), some 12 days later than we had anticipated.  We are unsure of the ice conditions and given that we have to make the pick-up by the 26 Apr, the expedition this year is untenable.  We had allowed ourselves 60 days to complete the trip, and whilst we had intended to complete the journey as quickly as we could we still felt that we needed the breathing space that this time would allow given the vagaries and difficulties of Arctic expeditions 

 

Moreover, the other 2 expeditions (the Irish and Italian teams) planning on leaving from here are in the same position, and as we are sharing an insertion we needed to make a joint decision.  We have all taken advice and, based on the premise that we may be able to return in future years, we have decided to not attempt to ski to the Geographic North Pole this year.  This decision is based on the weight of risk vs possibility of success and we do not feel that the odds are stacked in our favour.  Furthermore we cannot justify spending the amounts of money we are talking about with an exceptionally slim chance of success.

 

In order to recover some training value from this trip, our plan is now to ski to the Magnetic North Pole (currently located some 400miles from Resolute Bay and about a 30 day trip which we intend to start on Tues 8 Mar).  It is not the same and is not what we came here to do and this has been one of the most disappointing decisions that we have had to make.  Obviously we now need to 're-cock' our equipment, sort ourselves out, complete the task ahead which has now changed and allow the dust to settle.  Our plan is then to launch a reattempt at the Geographic Pole.

 

We understand that this will be as disappointing for you given your support as it is for us.  Our aim is now to make the most out of the training time we have available and come back. 

 

Matt and Jules

 

 

And then the weather changes - again

Latest news from Resolute Bay, is that the weather window has collapsed and we are again sat waiting. The longer we sit and wait the harder the task ahead of us is. Our luck has to change soon..

Stand-by Stand-by

The weather is currently looking good for insertion by DC3 into Cape Discovery for 1800Z on the 4 March. This will give us about 53 days to reach the Pole. More to follow.

Still waiting

The waiting game continues, with a glimmer of hope for the weekend. Regardless the plan remains the same, an unsupported attempt to reach the pole. But the reality is that each passing day spent sat here at Resolute makes the journey ahead of us that much harder. But it is this challenge which we strive for.

Its good to read all the emails of support being sent and the inevitable banter that we are making our excuses early. Trust me guys, we just want to get on with it honest!!!

Once we get a confirmed departure date we will work out how much food / fuel we are going to take (but I will discuss with Jules before I make any radical changes to the food loading plan - as I can always ditch what we don't need while he's asleep!). The plan is still to reach the pickup by the 26 Apr, so it really will become a case of head down, arse up and go. All we have to do is hope for good ice and reasonably cold conditions. The local weatherman, Wayne, said to us yesterday that the weather is unseasonably 'chaotic' and a lot warmer than normal. If this is warm...

Yet until we hit the ice we have no idea of what to expect as every year is different. But as Oliver Shepard from the Transglobe Expedition emailed, the delay may work in our favour and we can always go without sleep if we have too. Until then its hurry up and wait!

Weather Window

The latest weather predictions have a possible break in the weather on Saturday 5 March. So until then its hurry up and wait.

The Arctic Photo

The photo which should have been attached to the last update.

The Arctic

The icy fang that bites and blows until I shrink with cold.

Shakespeare.

Waiting

The weather which had delayed todays flight continues to have a hold at the insertion point at Cape Discovery. Current predictions has us leaving on Wed or more probably Thurs. None of this is good news, but it means our pulks will be a few days worth of food lighter. Our pickup date remains no later than the 26 Apr, so we will have to work harder and hope for good ice.

Both Jules and I are now both sat just itching to go. But the waiting game continues..