The North Pole!
We reached the Magnetic North Pole at 8.30 am local time. Very tired but happy. But that was far from the end of our trek as we had a tight deadline to catch the plane back to Resolute. After a half hour stop for photo's and phone calls to loved ones we set off again.
The plane was due in at six and we had to ski about 16nm across the worse terrain we had experienced on the trip - lots of sheet ice, rubble and mounds of ice. We picked up a lot of the other competitors trails here and it looks like most people had taken their skis off and walked, but we were determined to ski all the way. We had very few stops all day, and about 17.15 we heard the plane. It circled a few times and landed so we had to step up the pace. After twelve hard hours skiing we reached the finish line. We did not have time to celebrate but instead had to ski straight up the biggest hill we encountered on our trip to reach the the airstrip. We rushed through Issacson 'weather station' (it is called a weather station but everyone says it is a disused, haunted, secret military base) and straight on to the plane.
We all celebrated on the plane with a few drops of brandy and fell fast asleep.
Back at Resolute Bay now for 24 hours then we set off for home 5am Tuesday morning and back in the UK Wed 06.35
I finally got to look at my blister after 3 days of covering it up and hoping for the best and it's a whopper. The doc here says it's at least as good as James Cracknells and they've put me on some whopping antibiotics. I've some great photos and even a bit of video footage for those who'd like to see.
Thanks to everyone for their support and donations. Together we've raised a huge amount for Kids Kindey Research and if any of you reading still haven't donated and were waiting to see if I did it - now's the time!
Looking forward to seeing Leesa, George Louis and Lara. I've been engrossed in what I've been doing here for the last 2 weeks but now it's over I realise how much I've missed them all. Love to you all. John, Daddy x
Sunday 5th May
A mammoth day today and we are within 2 hours of the magnetic north pole. 13 hours on the skis and all of it was uphill as we crossed the Noyes Peninsula. There's something we can't work out, we climbed from sea level all day and when we got over the peninsular there was no downhill section, just straight on to sea ice - maybe we were delirious by that stage and never noticed!. It has been a long day and it is 1.00am before we finished all our jobs. Up at 5am for another long day tomorrow with a brief stop at the pole for a photo shoot then off toward the finish line to catch the plane
It has been a very tough schedule.
Saturday 8th May
A long hard day. We have been making good steady progress today towards Ellef Rigness. We have covered 19 nautical miles in 13 hours. We are very pleased with are progress so far, especially given problems with coping with pain from blisters. Weather has been magnificent since we landed.
We saw a polar bear, thankfully not too close up!
We are hoping to reach the magnetic North Pole within the next 2 days.
Our position is on the tracking map www.polar-challenge.com/
(Ice Warriers:snowflake & man)
Another day in the sun! (Friday 7th May)
The first full day was tough. We managed to cover 10 nautical miles in 7 hours. I've got a huge blister on my foot, but I've dressed it well. We've had another early start today. The plan is do 16 nautical miles in 10 hours. We are all rested after a good sleep and feeling very posotive.
Charles is on cooking duty
Was up at 6.30, we have to make 2 litres hot chocolate, 3lt hot water and a litre of soup to stock up for later. Charles is on cooking duty this morning and has made us all porridge! Jim and I are not happy! How is a guy meant to stick to his Paleo diet with porridge!
A long day ahead, but beautiful sunny day!
We are well ahead this morning of JP and Ed, who are still asleep.
Ice Warrier update (Thursday 6th May)
Thankfully weather was good enough for us to fly. We flew to Twin-Otter to checkpoint 2 with Gary Bullen, our head of training. We are all so excited to arrive and landing on the ice will certainly be a lasting memory. We skied from 4.30 to 10pm, covering 8 nautical miles. There is lots of rubble making us work hard.
We saw the 3 Suns Phenomena, stunning, a halo around the sun. Saw some imaginary polar bears. too. Had a late dinner and finally off to bed under the sunny sky.
Our first diary call is now on the Polar Challenge web site. http://www.polar-challenge.com/
Click: Challenge Live/ Ice Warriers.
We are all set to go!
Weather is looking good, bright blue sky, and wind has died down. It has been touch and go for the last 24 hours. After all the hard work and preparations we didn't want to get stuck by the weather. Although we take off, the pilot can't guarantee the landing, so we have to have a look when we get there. The flight is 2 hours and this will take us to check point 2. The weather further north is not great but it is OK for us on the ground.
We have all our pulks packed and are ready to go. This took some time as we were bickering like school girls about who has the heaviest pulk. I'm happy as mine has ended up the lightest and I''m carrying the fuel so It'll get lighter and lighter as we head further north.
With an engery lunch of protein drink, nuts, seeds, dried fruit & chocolate we're ready for anything. Not forgetting a tipple of Whisky. Hope to update soon. Thanks for messages. Love to Leesa, George, Louis and Lara.
SLIGHT DELAY...
The weather has really closed in with 40+mph winds. We are OK to travel on foot in this sort of weather but the pilots can't fly the planes so we are grounded for 24 hours. Hopefully things will clear for tomorrow
We've just got back from our first three nights out on the ice. Everything went well and this time has given us the opportunity to hone our new found skills and make the mistakes we don't want to make went we set off properly. The sort of mistakes made so far are:
Two sets of broken tent poles - these are no fun to mend in the cold and wind.
Gear blowing away - once it's gone, there's no way to catch it: gloves, bags, navigation notes have all dissapeared.
Skiing too far with no breaks. This left us shattered when we tried to make camp and then we made mistakes.
Pack more food. The portions for the three of us struggled to feed me!
Apart from that, we are all working well in our teams.
For some reason the organizers felt it best to leave the gun with Jim so Charles and I are trying to behave ourselves but not suceeding. Jim tried to lead and navigate but after 24 yards Charles and I went our own way and Jim threw his teddy out of his pulk and refused to navifgate the rest of the day. We've now realised that because Jim carries the gun, we need to stick close if a polar bear attacks so we've promised to follow him properly tomorrow.
Last night, after dinner we even manged a game of cricket with a snow shovel and a massage ball. we needed some extra entertainment as Jim has broken his (the only) ipod speaker.
The weather is still around -15 with and until today clear blue sky so it makes the scenery amazingly beautiful. The light makes everything crystal clear.
We skied 9nm yesterday which is a very good distance for our lack of experience so we are all feeling confident in meeting the daily mileage. When we start it will be 12 hours skiing with hourly 5 minute breaks apart from lunch, when we have an extended 8 minute break. It doesn't sound much but when you stop you get very cold, very quickly.
We are all running around now, making lats minute kit adjustments and considering how much time and money we have all spent over the last year on kit, we are taking very little.
Anyone who has the mobile number please keep sending messages they brighten the day when they arrive.
POLAR BEAR WATCH! (Tuesday 4th May)
Polar bear attacked another team ahead of us last night. Held off by shooting in air but bear still stalking.
Second day in Resolute Bay. Preparing kit and medical, shotgun and navigation
First night sleeping out on ice tonight, followed by two days acclimatization on ice.
Medical training focussed on prevention of main cold weather injuries; frostbite, hypothermia, trenchfoot & dehydration.
Anti-polar bear training= Remmington 870 Magnum Express pump action shptgun favoured by bank robbers (big gun plus big bullets)
Weather today clear blue skies but warm -15 degrees
A lot to absorb in short time about kit, cold, polar bear and navigation but feeling confident.
See new photos (Monday 3rd May)
We've just arrived in Resolute Bay (Friday, 30th April)
Not been on a plane before where the pilot says that "there's quite a bit of fog so as we'll just give it a shot" .....
We've stopped at 3 settlements today en route north towards Resolute Bay, each one colder, more iced over and smaller than the last.
Just arrived in Resolute Bay ... f*** it's cold!... so cold it burns the skin.
Surrounded by miles and miles of ice and snow, as far as the eye can see - its brutal, but beautiful. Can't wait to get out there. We've got 3 days of training and acclimatisation on the ice in this area before we head north.
Sending messages with the satellite phone is really slow and laborious. Nearly midnight and still broad daylight ... feels weird.
UPDATE FROM OTTAWA (Thursday 29th April)
We had a very uneventful journey to Ottawa then went straight from the airport to get fitted with our boots. Wow, these are some boots. Like wellys on steriods - and WHITE. Leesa will be horrified, white is soooo not my colour.
We have 3 flights today on progressively smaller planes that will take us to Resolute Bay by the evening. After that we have no blackberry or standard mobile only cumbersome sat phones so messages will be much shorter.
We made the most of the city last night by having a huge steak each as our 'last meal' and of course a few beers.
We also met an Inuit elder last might who thought were mad and tries his best to stay a lot further south than we are going. He's in the middle of negotiating with the Canadian government to self govern his own province. He also gave us a great tip - polar bears always attack to the right. So at least I know which way I'll be pushing my team members when I start running! He also told us the inuits have over 200 words for snow - I think we might come up with a few more by the end of the trip! Bl@";dy snow comes to mind!
Jim has torn two nails, has a streaming cold and missing his wife.
Make the most of this 'long' message. You'll only get a line or two after today. Off to the airport now. Till tomorrow...
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
What's it all about?.... Well, I'm off to Northern Canada to embark on a ski and pulk pulling trek to the Magnetic North Pole. I'll be part of a team, all of us with no previous Arctic experience and carrying all our food, kit, tents and fuel on sledges (known as pulks). Temperatures will range between -20 to -65 and we may well encounter the odd Polar Bear on the way.
Training for the event has included a weekend of team building tasks and camping in the lake district in November last year - which happened to be the same weekend all those bridges were washed away! 4 days training, camping and skiing in Norway in January (that was seriously cold - but not as cold as the North Pole) plus cold weather injury training and shotgun training (just in case the Polar Bears get too friendly) in March. In addition, I have to make sure I can physically handle the event, so I've spent a lot of time in Epping Forest pulling tyres plus many hours in the Gym.
Why Kids Kidney Research... Some of you will know that our daughter, Lara who will be three in May was born with just one functioning kidney. Luckily the body adapts very well and the other healthy kidney has taken over the job of two. Both Leesa and I know just how lucky we are to have three healthy children but there are many parents and children in very different circumstances. Kids Kidney Research supports vital kidney research for babies and children across the UK, the sort of research that enabled the doctors to treat Lara so well over the last couple of years.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. It’s got to be the most efficient and simplest way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving a huge amount of time and it cuts the costs for the charity.
So please dig deep and donate as much as you can now.
All you support is very much appreciated.
