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PROGRESS
DAY CHART
DAY
26: COMPLETE CALM FOR THE FIRST TIME!
Thu, 16 Feb 2006 // 16:33
Quote of the Day:
'The wind blew the entire day
and then stopped just as we were setting up the tent
this evening - it makes a nice change not to have the
wind howling over the tent...'
DATA LOG
Latest position: N83°32'28' E103°38'47'
Distance to go: 721km
Days of food left: 41
After an exhausting nine hours walking on ice and snow,
Mike and Borge advanced 20km today, walking 17km and
progressing a further 3km north thanks to the strong
winds last night. This morning as they started walking,
conditions were not ideal but improved as the day went
on, Borge explains: 'The ice
was a bit rougher during the first part of the day,
giving way to flat, wide-open surfaces this afternoon.
We're walking mostly on older ice, formed last year,
which is far more stable then the ice we saw earlier.
There haven't been any signs of ice movement or open
leads today either - and that's a great advantage for
us."
Mike tells us about their day: 'The
wind blew the entire day and then stopped just as we
were setting up the tent this evening. This is the first
time that we have had complete calm. It makes a nice
change not to have the wind howling over the tent and of
course the temperatures are milder at the same time.
The full moon has left us now. It is once again under
the horizon so we are once again in pitch darkness.
Today is our 26th day on the ice. It wasn't a bad day
even though we found ourselves back in the pack ice. We
managed to do 17kms so we are happy.
721 kms to go until we reach the North Pole with 41 days
of food left. Looks as though we should make it before
the end of the winter months - that is our aim at least!
Will sleep now and rest my flat feet!'
Best regards,
Mike
DAY
29: A DAY OF REST...
Sun, 19 Feb 2006 // 18:10
Quote of the Day:
'It's actually rather cosy
inside our tent, we've really relaxed, eaten well and
listened to music on our mp3-players.'
DATA LOG
Latest position: N83°36'17' E103°14'41'
Days of food left: 38
Conditions: Northerly winds and snowing
Drift: Southwards 500m per hour
Today Mike and Borge took a rest day, only their second
since the start of the expedition four weeks ago.
'Rest day today - day no 29.
I'll try and send a couple of photos of polar bear
prints. This bear must have crossed our path just before
we were in a storm a few days ago. The full moon was out
this day so this gave us some light. The prints have
filled up with the drifting snow. Borge and I are inside
the tent which we now call 'home'. The frost bite on my
nose is not too bad but I will have to take care. Borge
has a very swollen face because of walking into the
headwinds. These winds have made us drift south for 3
days now - three days with no progress! Hope the wind
changes soon!
That's all for now. Will get some sleep.'
Mike
Click
here to view a photo Mike sent back today of polar
bear tracks in the snow.
Meteorologists predict that Mike and Borge will have two
more days of northerly winds causing the southwards
drift but as Borge explains,
'It's a good idea to take a break while the weather is
miserable, to let our bodies rest and build up our
energy reserves. It's actually rather cosy inside our
tent, we're stretching out and giving our muscles a
break. We've really relaxed, eaten well and listened to
music on our mp3-players.' The walking duo also took
the time today to check their equipment and make minor
repairs to their sledges, skis and a snapped tent pole!
Mike and Borge are expecting to be in a very different
position when they set off again tomorrow morning
(Monday), but hopefully the northerly winds will calm
and ideally change direction so they will not have too
much ground to make up.
DAY
30: SWIMMING AGAIN...
Mon, 20 Feb 2006 // 18:21
Quote of the Day:
'We came across another open
lead we had to swim across, luckily only 50m wide...'
DATA LOG
Latest position: N83°45'49.4' E103°9'26.4'
Distance to go: 697km
Drift: Southwards but slow
Days of food left: 40 (after cutting down on daily
rations they've managed to gain an extra few days of
food)
After their rest day yesterday, Mike and Borge set off
again this morning ready for another day walking on the
ice, but soon found themselves changing in to their
survival suits (completely waterproof and worn over
clothing) and jumping in the freezing cold Arctic Ocean:
'Today we came across another
open lead we had to swim across. Luckily only one 50m
wide. Drift has been south today but slow. We made good
progress with very bad light today but all is well. We
have 697km to go with 40 days food left.'
Mike
For latest news on Mike and Borge go to: www.mikehornnorthpole.com
WEB LINKS
Sign up for updates on Mike's progress on his North Pole
Winter Expedition at www.mikehornnorthpole.com
Click
here to view Mike & Borge's latest position on
Google Earth. To download Google Earth click
here ( PC and Mac OS X 10.4 only).
For further information on Mike Horn contact:
Josie Robinson
T: +44 (0)870 063 0210
E: josie.robinson@ocgroup.com
MIKE HORN PERSONAL DETAILS
Age: 39
Nationality: South African resides Switzerland
Status: Married to Cathy, two children aged 11 and 12
MIKE HORN'S PHILOSOPHY:
'The drive to go beyond our physical, mental and
spiritual limits is an internal attitude that transcends
global borders. It tests our personal limits and opens
the way for new levels of achievement in all aspects of
life. This philosophy is the driving force behind every
endeavour.
Although I find myself in the most extreme
circumstances, I always use caution. My philosophical
approach is to live the endeavour as an expression of my
being. Alone, immersed in nature, with no creature
comforts, to surpass the limits imposed by man and
nature itself. With faith and determination, one can
embody the purest expression of this philosophy.'
ARCTIC
AND ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION LINKS:
Ernest
Shackleton
Roald
Amundsen
Scott
of the Antarctic
Nelson
Kruschandl: We're with you all the way.
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