Eighty Three & Happy Anniversary!

100 years ago today Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen reached the South Pole after traveling 870 miles from his coastal base, Framheim. He arrived at the Pole more than a month before British explorer Robert Falcon Scott. The two expeditions were very different from each other, both in their planning and execution. In the end both were remarkable feats of exploration.

Amundsen's tent at the South Pole "Poleheim"

Tonight PolarExplorers has a team at the South Pole to celebrate the centennial anniversary of Amundsen's expedition. In addition to celebrating Amundsen's achievement they also celebrated the spirit of adventure and exploration. As a part of this they toasted our Full South Pole team, who today passed the 83rd degree of South latitude on their own incredible expedition.

Today the team reported beautiful weather and high spirits. They slept in a few hours and then hit the ice covering 18 kilometers.

They feel lucky to have had such good weather, and Bob in his audio update is almost poetic in his description of his surroundings. As they skied today they were thinking about Amundsen's expedition, and they were planning a special toast for dinnertime.

Bob leaves a delightful update, so make sure to check it out, and visit again tomorrow for another update from the team!

Today the team reports a long day, with good mileage, but tired team members. They skied 24.4 kilometers in 11 hours. Their position is S 82.57.965, W 83.42.967. Tomorrow they will pass 83 degrees.

We received the following questions from Doug Williams... "Several times it’s been mentioned that during white-out days the team rely on their compasses (among other things) to ensure they stay on the right course. I was wondering if the difference between the geographic and magnetic south poles is an issue and, if so, how do they correct for the differences?"

Good question Doug. The compass is an important part of their navigation kit, and they are carrying a special compass that allows for travel in the southern hemisphere. The Magnetic South Pole is a good distance from the South Pole. It actually lies off the coast of Antarctica in the ocean, above the Antarctic Circle! It is on the move in a north west direction at the speed of approximately 10-15 kilometers per year.

Our team generally skis in a straight line, making as few deviations as possible. Thus once they establish their daily heading using GPS they can turn the GPS off and rely on the compass for the rest of the day without making any adjustments. We'll talk about another great source of navigation, the sun, in a later posting.

We haven't yet received an audio update from the team, but we will post it when it arrives. Make sure to listen to yesterday's audio report from Dennis (added today), and check back again soon for another update from the team!

Heavy sleds again...

Today the team reports a difficult day, with heavy sleds and low light.. They traveled 23 kilometers in 11 hours, and now "it is time for sleeping bags!" Dennis comments about finding the resupply yesterday, and compares it to the earlier expeditions of Amundsen and Scott. It's only two days until the first of the centennial celebrations at the South Pole! But for our team still 30+ days from reaching that point it is back to the grindstone of putting one foot in front of the next. But as always, that is one step closer to the Pole!

One of the benefits of traveling in Antarctica is that you are on a continent. Unlike travel to the North Pole, which is on sea ice, you get to "keep" every inch of southward progress. At the North Pole you might make 15 or 20 kilometers in a day but you might drift backwards while you sleep! That's not to say that Antarctica is free of challenges... the altitude, the cold and the wind combine to pack a serious punch!

Of course on every expedition some days are bad, some are good and some are great. 100 years ago today Amundsen had a great day. He wrote in his diary:

Magnificent weather. Almost still and partly clear. About –25°C. Same fine terrain and surface. According to the hypsometer it looks as though we are going very slightly downwards. Maybe it is just the weather conditions that make it seem so. Midday observations, which were taken under the most favourable weather conditions, still, clear, distinct sun and horizon, 89°6’. Observations and instruments again completely coincide. We have done our usual 17 n.m. and now lie at 89°15’ – three days march from our goal.

Make sure to listen to today's audio report from Lisa and check back again tomorrow for another update from the team!

First resupply!

Today the team reported, amidst what sounded like a pretty good party, that they had reached the first resupply. Together in one tent they were celebrating their biggest milestone so far with a honest-to-goodness steak dinner, one of the special treats that awaited them at the resupply.

They skied 15.8 km is 7 hours of travel and the temperature was colder, at -25C. There was a wind of 8 knots, which was a welcome change from yesterday's 25 knot wind.

Tomorrow they start the next leg of the journey with heavy sleds, but happy stomachs :)

Make sure to listen to Bryony's audio report and check back in tomorrow for another update from the team!

Making the miles...

Today the team reports a good day, covering 25.6 kilometers in 10.5 hours of travel. The sun was shining, the sky was blue... only the sastrugi could have been better. Everyone is happy and the general health of the team is improving (there has been a cold going around).

In Bob's audio update he talks a little about the team's tactic for reaching the pole. He mentions how they are making the required distance every day, but that they will be working on increasing their pace to decrease the amount of time they are skiing every day. Finding the right balance is a critical part of every expedition.

Tomorrow they plan to reach their first resupply. This is a big milestone and can be very proud of their work so far. They will be rewarded with more food, and some special treats, but oh! the weight of the sleds! Make sure to listen to Bob's audio report (the sound improves after the first few seconds) and check back again tomorrow for another update from the team!

A picture perfect day, with a little slope.

Crossing 82 degrees!

Today the team reports a long day with an uphill climb and windy conditions. It all started good, but after their first few miles the wind picked up and visibility deteriorated. The temperature dropped and they were skiing in milky white conditions. They relied on their compass and the direction of the falling snow to ensure that they stayed on the right course.

It was a long day with 11 hours on their feet but they were able to knock out 26 kilometers. Everyone is happy with the progress, and ready for a good meal. They are camped at S 82.11.551, W 82.32.307. The temperature was -15C without wind, and -23C with wind.

Some of the team members are carrying ipods and they have been listening to music which offers a nice break and some motivation. For those who didn't bring music, or prefer not to listen to it, time is passed by thinking about anything and everything that will occupy the mind. Singing or writing songs, reciting poetry, counting steps, thinking about a question, drafting letters or journal entries, making plans for the reunion with family and friends (especially the meals!) Sometimes you think about what you should think about next!

On a day like today the team will be tired and hungry and it's especially nice to know that they have so many supporters back home cheering them on. Dennis has left a wonderful audio update so be sure to listen to it, and check back again tomorrow for another update from the team!

Slow start, but good weather...

Another picture perfect day today, but the team couldn't shake the slow start they got in the morning. They put in a long day of skiing ending at S 81.57.708, W 82.10.080. If my math is correct (not always the case!) they traveled nearly 21.5 kilometers.

Bob cooking outside on one of the recent calm evenings

The cold that had been bothering Bob seems to be traveling a bit, giving some of the team members scratchy voices and stuffed up noses, but nothing too terrible. The terrain appears to be flattening out, and this has been a welcome change. Soon the team will reach their first resupply.

A few people have asked questions about resupplies, and how they are positioned. The resupplies are all pre-positioned by plane so they are ready for the team when they arrive. The resupplies were packed by the team prior to the expedition, while they were in Punta Arenas. Everything that arrives in the resupply will need to be carried by the team. Only once, at their second resupply, will they be able to leave anything behind, such as their trash. The second resupply is positioned near a regular refueling runway for South Pole flights and the team will be able to pick up what they leave behind on their way back from the Pole.

We will send more details about the resupplies as they occur. Needless to say the resupplies are significant events, and milestones. It is great to have new supplies of food and treats, but the sleds get heavy all over again!

Make sure to listen to Bryony's audio report from today and visit again tomorrow for another update from the team!