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North Pole update: Bob Marley plays in the Arctic
Apr 30, 2004 17: 12 EST
No news yet on the expected arrival of Bettina and JG at the North Pole
For Ben, however, life on the ice continues: “There is a degree of contention in the polar world over which route to the Pole is toughest - from Canada or from Russia. Some argue that the Russian route (despite being 100 miles further) is 'easier' because the drift is 'mostly north' and the ice is flatter.
Anyway, pressure ridges are a fact of life which ever route you take to the Pole and crossing them is rarely easy. About three hours into the day, I climbed a real monster, hauled my sledge up and left it teetering right on the top as I clambered down the far side. I'd employed this slightly risky technique before - get to the bottom, give the rope a tug and hey presto, the sledge comes down after you. This time, I got it wrong. Halfway down, I lost my footing and felt the rope go taut and then slack again. I felt like a bomb defusing expert that had just snipped the wrong wire... I heard a rumbling behind me and like a freight train, the sledge hurtled down the ridge, knocking me over like a rag doll. After realising I was still alive, I completely lost my temper and had to resort to some emergency Bob Marley tracks I have on an mp3 player.”
The Greenland Sand Cap. "The surfaces today have been pretty poor. To give some idea of the surfaces, get a bath tub - fill it with water and pull it through a sandy bog.
Both Paul and I have to put all our weight into the harness and then we can move; everyone else is not much better. We managed 7 km all day. Yes, 7KM! That's getting up at 6.30am and moving till 4.30pm. The snow is wet and sludgy, we even had rain. At this rate we will be on the West coast by Christmas; even though our food and fuel will have run out before then. Once again James and Carl have been a credit to college. Any way, chin up, the Last Degree to the Pole will be a walk in the park. Position - N 65° 53.849' W 39° 09.500' Temperature - warm!”
Five expeditions set out for a North Pole expedition this year, all from the Russian side. Wave Vidmar to be the first American to ski solo and unsupported to the North Pole. Frédéric Chamard-Boudet to do the same for France. British Ben Saunders was to attempt a first solo, unsupported crossing. Danish/French duo Bettina Aller and Jean Gabriel Leynaud to ski to the pole with support and French/Finnish woman Dominick Arduin to attempt the first solo, female North Pole trek with support.
A big open water lead just off the starting point posed the first immediate problem for this years expeditions. Two solo skiers, French/Finnish woman Dominick and Frenchman Frederic decided to ski/paddle across the huge, 55 km semi open water area, in an attempt for a clean North Pole expedition (which must start from land). The other teams opted for an air drop onto thick ice.
Frederic Chamard-Boudet, fell in the water and was rescued. He is treated for severe frostbite. Dominick is missing since March 5th. Her tracks were found disappearing in an open water section, which she had planned to paddle over. No traces of Dominick, her kayak, sleds or other gear have been found.
Ben Saunders expedition status has changed to supported - he has opted for air resupplies. Wave Vidmar was airlifted off the ice and heads for home.
In December 2004, the Outdoor Education Team of West Nottinghamshire College will head an expedition to the South Pole. At the moment the team is in Greenland, taking part in an acclimatization ski-trek across the Greenland Icecap.
Live image of Ben in his tent provided by Contact 2.0, courtesy of Ben Saunders.
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| OneWorld expedition: It's over Jun 3, 2005 | | Vancouver to Moscow - 1 year anniversary! Jun 2, 2005 | | Arctic wrap-up: The Single ski Weight Watchers Greenland program Jun 1, 2005 | | Arctic wrap-up: Rain and world record May 31, 2005 | | ExplorersWeb Week in Review May 30, 2005 | | 12 year old doing well on Greenland ice cap crossing May 27, 2005 | | Vagabond update - Polar bears, 200 candles and ice melting in Inglefieldbukta May 26, 2005 | | Arctic wrap-up: Polar hygiene, and Napoleon on ice May 26, 2005 | | Contact GEO hits Greenland May 25, 2005 | | Iridium: "Invalid battery - matches found, 0" May 24, 2005 |
| | Arctic wrap-up: Adventure family kites 162 km, reaches halfway point May 23, 2005 |
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2004
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