tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34062149704965942412024-03-21T13:20:55.998-07:00ANI Messner Route South Pole ExpeditionUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406214970496594241.post-11038552017563151932008-01-24T12:22:00.001-08:002008-01-24T12:23:04.613-08:00Going Home!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwUbtDIbR0HISLOMP1hZ0P5c7Fzj8YlZjba9Jv9fctn5jA2t_Mk7wW0oLhX49QMm1zJNrl3Wza5IguZhr_Nm1NbuPjUtNke2UvLS0q8shzD6959VMd2UuODIgscSkF1N3a-9Sdf4zODU/s1600-h/Going+home%21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwUbtDIbR0HISLOMP1hZ0P5c7Fzj8YlZjba9Jv9fctn5jA2t_Mk7wW0oLhX49QMm1zJNrl3Wza5IguZhr_Nm1NbuPjUtNke2UvLS0q8shzD6959VMd2UuODIgscSkF1N3a-9Sdf4zODU/s320/Going+home%21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159141247127666546" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406214970496594241.post-7546943632887120692008-01-24T12:21:00.002-08:002008-01-24T12:22:28.219-08:00George at South Pole<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01JpmHkPKzdeXmJYeDsbrZi5FZMHDPPYCyF3biDl9MAcIz0yGugNV7NNz5GbFOJLrAqGWOElnks7J5l5xx-2pzF_9rpjRVM00TSAtfmUygP0hWBDivFgjiw9ORJA6_IL1easUcwfBTE0/s1600-h/George+at+South+Pole.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01JpmHkPKzdeXmJYeDsbrZi5FZMHDPPYCyF3biDl9MAcIz0yGugNV7NNz5GbFOJLrAqGWOElnks7J5l5xx-2pzF_9rpjRVM00TSAtfmUygP0hWBDivFgjiw9ORJA6_IL1easUcwfBTE0/s320/George+at+South+Pole.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159141092508843874" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406214970496594241.post-29988930341588688962008-01-24T12:21:00.001-08:002008-01-24T12:21:46.796-08:00George and Sled<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinTAG6lhDlfqIRKWdzeEqMSFDK9ClXMHlf16tfW7aArGSUMbjxycJfFMJg47vu0R5RmUdC0yE-Snw7DEbCLcK_E7q7VEBKGBJJD57VnsoZkdsh5DlgyfD5CqpenNorYZnSH7Sd3q8P8I/s1600-h/George+and+sled.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinTAG6lhDlfqIRKWdzeEqMSFDK9ClXMHlf16tfW7aArGSUMbjxycJfFMJg47vu0R5RmUdC0yE-Snw7DEbCLcK_E7q7VEBKGBJJD57VnsoZkdsh5DlgyfD5CqpenNorYZnSH7Sd3q8P8I/s320/George+and+sled.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159140920710152018" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406214970496594241.post-82695717023740651022008-01-24T12:20:00.001-08:002008-01-24T12:21:06.884-08:00Camp On Route<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1UXd0_dwRaHISffoTsElC6-kjsSM_DhBJ0sihPyKlIec8O3fmstHUtGt7x3s-Pfo8jq_Dm5zJIy6PKac6hbq1LRAZd98Y8JACaSh2KaChAUrzEQI8xfxgNDtXTiZ3YDaagzGUhHo2To/s1600-h/Camp+on+route.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1UXd0_dwRaHISffoTsElC6-kjsSM_DhBJ0sihPyKlIec8O3fmstHUtGt7x3s-Pfo8jq_Dm5zJIy6PKac6hbq1LRAZd98Y8JACaSh2KaChAUrzEQI8xfxgNDtXTiZ3YDaagzGUhHo2To/s320/Camp+on+route.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159140748911460162" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406214970496594241.post-45890584602294334492008-01-24T12:19:00.001-08:002008-01-24T12:20:18.132-08:00George - Done<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Dp2hAEhxdfS4lm40UYa-8lWP1olS9J-Po3jJK7IXplIVXfLy2hnv8SafQUmGN7_h8BukNQOBUYQ13YYRcc0sZDEvmUWnWNlTgdp2Otq9vaAN_Z0-O53ZAUR5V4_4MLQ0AgQSDf9Q4FY/s1600-h/Done-George.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Dp2hAEhxdfS4lm40UYa-8lWP1olS9J-Po3jJK7IXplIVXfLy2hnv8SafQUmGN7_h8BukNQOBUYQ13YYRcc0sZDEvmUWnWNlTgdp2Otq9vaAN_Z0-O53ZAUR5V4_4MLQ0AgQSDf9Q4FY/s320/Done-George.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159140521278193458" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406214970496594241.post-91224654431645653092008-01-24T12:18:00.002-08:002008-01-24T12:19:16.861-08:00Merete<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnIGPIAnm0eiOtwzGNqGioc6UoD-jF4CxtY32gNXJA-Z7fqduXYYIJnIkVQXeYC8g1a_84kKHvwg2mMUYvnuZJDe842GCYNmntmT-yNKv8-ZjwUPedNbJyXZZxmEf5Gz_is5SHRqh838/s1600-h/Merete.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnIGPIAnm0eiOtwzGNqGioc6UoD-jF4CxtY32gNXJA-Z7fqduXYYIJnIkVQXeYC8g1a_84kKHvwg2mMUYvnuZJDe842GCYNmntmT-yNKv8-ZjwUPedNbJyXZZxmEf5Gz_is5SHRqh838/s320/Merete.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159140276465057570" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406214970496594241.post-52143524604974555902008-01-24T12:18:00.001-08:002008-01-24T12:18:50.119-08:00Eric<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2SZJ32w-xyq__R63KfpAzvvXuU3Uvcy8NMhtolQW0bPN87tjQuaqdcf9dLwwqGtZkTzjRK7u4WwNofTIK9ysQPjbAYQehpFluNWDObpsMdRR2N33PrhM5vlXo6rzqPLXuixcR8S6LNA/s1600-h/Eric.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2SZJ32w-xyq__R63KfpAzvvXuU3Uvcy8NMhtolQW0bPN87tjQuaqdcf9dLwwqGtZkTzjRK7u4WwNofTIK9ysQPjbAYQehpFluNWDObpsMdRR2N33PrhM5vlXo6rzqPLXuixcR8S6LNA/s320/Eric.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159140160500940562" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406214970496594241.post-62218286858722875642008-01-24T12:17:00.000-08:002008-01-24T12:18:21.921-08:00Bernice<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSdZDcscYfXDxu7FcQY2tU8m2gOGsCdq70Lb87z11uSLWKqSv4GrJ0lvt9b-ksKwNeul2GiQq8MPEjYxo7vi6mluYuyhHNvSOwHsxoo5wosIxMq8CMmPnfA6NGgBw0v7elVt7H-WJg5w/s1600-h/Bernice.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSdZDcscYfXDxu7FcQY2tU8m2gOGsCdq70Lb87z11uSLWKqSv4GrJ0lvt9b-ksKwNeul2GiQq8MPEjYxo7vi6mluYuyhHNvSOwHsxoo5wosIxMq8CMmPnfA6NGgBw0v7elVt7H-WJg5w/s320/Bernice.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159140044536823554" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406214970496594241.post-72710479582237182122008-01-24T12:16:00.001-08:002008-01-24T12:17:46.906-08:00Alison<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rzMpNZ_CIpm_hyBaXH2DI3suclg8mPZF57yWlTfUWHB32ZxbD4E4SmeUeZ8-2Ab8cT1Ew2XVnbzoPbJXDtnAV_aBXe6296BZffJ-W_u4Pykb-9WGkGxGMe3wJL3tGeFHqoOQeGDxYew/s1600-h/Alison.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rzMpNZ_CIpm_hyBaXH2DI3suclg8mPZF57yWlTfUWHB32ZxbD4E4SmeUeZ8-2Ab8cT1Ew2XVnbzoPbJXDtnAV_aBXe6296BZffJ-W_u4Pykb-9WGkGxGMe3wJL3tGeFHqoOQeGDxYew/s320/Alison.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159139752479047410" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406214970496594241.post-47528919595971676292008-01-24T12:15:00.001-08:002008-01-24T12:16:42.038-08:00Oh! Canada - Ceremonial Marker<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgZSm5cBQb1mKdIbFJTKgVDQNQqFqCgYW-DXokOPIGf8hRu2b6f9a1Sc4rukQqsYF9cFvP1BjmzZYNRUdPQRnWPhhL2n-ye8aFxpjqfxx1kaskggdld_HcwZYNemqNeMayoKRdBUzK2E/s1600-h/Oh!+Canada-Ceremonial+Marker.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgZSm5cBQb1mKdIbFJTKgVDQNQqFqCgYW-DXokOPIGf8hRu2b6f9a1Sc4rukQqsYF9cFvP1BjmzZYNRUdPQRnWPhhL2n-ye8aFxpjqfxx1kaskggdld_HcwZYNemqNeMayoKRdBUzK2E/s320/Oh!+Canada-Ceremonial+Marker.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159139288622579426" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406214970496594241.post-34008823849460906152008-01-24T12:14:00.001-08:002008-01-24T12:14:57.313-08:00The Team<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThstidX1qC8Sww86jg7HVfDWebGcHE_j1FWagkdIwzjWGeGe77DBWHxU8KTwPq0q_TcHcrKEmh82NCo2yJ1SX_km1nrUqaG0jumlCVkwIa2H1wX3R-0yGY0Lkdlr6DNkoR9VQiUyaBoQ/s1600-h/_ELJ0031.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThstidX1qC8Sww86jg7HVfDWebGcHE_j1FWagkdIwzjWGeGe77DBWHxU8KTwPq0q_TcHcrKEmh82NCo2yJ1SX_km1nrUqaG0jumlCVkwIa2H1wX3R-0yGY0Lkdlr6DNkoR9VQiUyaBoQ/s320/_ELJ0031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159139086759116498" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406214970496594241.post-32421868424751343492008-01-24T12:13:00.001-08:002008-01-24T12:13:48.380-08:00The Team<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSVpGma4E6gwD8MSZNuMdoPGj_OD0IPEeEjwhwIpwZZnfd3dmcefVAJndb0jxyeY0kiccH3YMFk0QT2cxSyss6xoYrOyV9ZMEsCuhyphenhyphenLHio3IGu2extwDDCvNYZVj4HJkBbNgK8Q9Xh9Q/s1600-h/_ELJ0034.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSVpGma4E6gwD8MSZNuMdoPGj_OD0IPEeEjwhwIpwZZnfd3dmcefVAJndb0jxyeY0kiccH3YMFk0QT2cxSyss6xoYrOyV9ZMEsCuhyphenhyphenLHio3IGu2extwDDCvNYZVj4HJkBbNgK8Q9Xh9Q/s320/_ELJ0034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159138833356046018" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406214970496594241.post-40595324106552868922008-01-17T22:05:00.000-08:002008-01-17T22:08:42.187-08:00January 15<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Final Blog-for now</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">En route</span> from LA to Vancouver. It has been a whirlwind three days.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">This is the final blog from Team <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">CANDU</span>-DID (for now)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">We did it. After 38 days on the ice we reached the Geographical South Pole.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">These last days have been a blur as it is often difficult to extricate from these expedition situations…</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I would like to first THANK YOU ALL for the support….it was real nice to hear and that you liked to hear about this adventure….</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">When we reached the South Pole on Jan 12 at 12:30 PM PST</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">We were informed we would have to camp as pick up was not going to happen soon...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">When we arrived at the Pole we were greeted by a rep from the Base who showed us around. We first went to the exact…. marker of the South Pole and the goal was complete. We had a tour of the new Amundsen-Scott South Pole Base building, and the rules which are you can use the bathrooms, (no showers) and help yourself to drinks and cookies in the cafeteria-no food…it was pleasure to sit in the warmth as the temp was around -40 C with the wind chill.We set up camp and waited, we camped about 50 meters from the South Pole. The day before was the official opening of the base so we just missed it. Rumour has it that this building, which took ten years to build is the most expensive building ever built per square foot…</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The next day, Jan 13<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span> we hung out…we took our photos around the Pole in cold conditions. We were informed our flight was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">en route</span>…then a delay because the weather was a clouded at the Pole…so we sat and looked at the updates..things were at there grimmest when a sliver of blue appeared.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">It turned out our Twin Otter with the 2 Canadian crew had stopped to pick up a frost victim from a Last Degree group and waited on the ground for an hour and half And just as they were going back they were told clear and flew in to pick us up..the frost victim, a gentleman from Dublin Ireland had a chance to see and be at the Pole before he was returned for medical care…turns out that was delayed as we stopped to refuel in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Thiel</span> Mountains and the Pilot told us were were camping there as the weather at Patriot Hills was deteriorated…so no landing. So we took out our sleds and it was business as usual. Even helped the Pilots set up their tents as this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">wasn</span>’t regular for them.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">And it was nice and warm here-only -15 with beautiful mountains for scenery.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Next morning we were cleared and flew into Patriot Hills. Nice big lunch was waiting, with champagne and all. The food was good, so good we were worried we would overeat and then…yuck</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">but it was real great.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">And a few hours later we had our dinner. And we were informed the Jet, an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Ilyushin</span> was due that night so no camping…<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">yay</span>! We hung out in the dining tent and sure enough the flight arrived 11:30 PM Jan 14<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">th</span> and we left Antarctica at 2 AM on January 15<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">th</span>. Got into <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Punta</span> Arenas at 6:30 AM. Got to the Hotel and cleaned up—an hour shaving… and then was able to get on a flight this PM, so here I am after flying all night to LA bound for Vancouver. Home this afternoon…and dreams of the ice still follow..but could it be the lack of sleep over the last three days…?????</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Cheers,</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">George </span><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406214970496594241.post-39013797693570562492008-01-14T20:36:00.000-08:002008-01-14T20:39:10.482-08:00January 14<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I am at <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Patriot</span> Hills now after waiting and waiting for a plane to pick us up from the station at the South Pole. We sat and waited then went to bed in our tents and waited. We are unable to receive any support from the station other than coffee and cookies. Our plane got rerouted on its way to a medical emergency. So we ended up leaving the station later today and are now at Patriot Hills awaiting a plane to take us to Chile later tonight. The weather has been rough but the waiting rougher. But as it turns out we will be leaving this Continent late tonight. That is a bit to get used to. I've had a look in the mirror and oh what a sight, salt and pepper beard and weather beaten face. Also had a chance to weigh myself and went down considerably. I feel good and strong, stronger than I thought that I would be, especially at the end, really strong.<br /><br />I and the team thank all of you for all your support and look forward to seeing you soon.<br />George from Patriot Hills <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Antarctica</span>.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406214970496594241.post-40658129000278097792008-01-12T16:28:00.000-08:002008-01-12T16:31:06.693-08:00January 12 - South Pole Arrival<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">TEAM </span>CANDU<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> ARRIVED SOUTH POLE 90 DEG SOUTH </span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">12:30 PM PAC STAN TIME JAN 12 2008!<br /><br />George from the South Pole<br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406214970496594241.post-78249107984662963462008-01-10T20:20:00.000-08:002008-01-10T20:22:59.116-08:00January 9<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Day 35 - Cold day, just as we were used to some mild and nice weather <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Antarctica</span> bites back at us. -55 wind chill. Wind in our face all day. It was tough <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">that's</span> why we have the ruff. When wind is blowing in your face its <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">imperative</span> that you have a fur ruff to help <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">shield</span> your face. Eric says I look like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Chewbacka</span> from Star Wars. Only 3 nights 2 days if all goes well. Tonight is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">men's</span> night in the tent. It is probably the last one. We've enjoyed the boys nights in the tent. 67 k to go!<br />S 89.33.34<br /><br />George from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Antarctica</span>.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406214970496594241.post-69666550535777418122008-01-10T20:18:00.000-08:002008-01-10T20:20:30.747-08:00January 8<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Day 34 - What can I say, there's snow everywhere. Nice calm morning, great conditions for the plateau. Bernice had a binding blow out so we had to delay for a while. We did 26k. Location is S 89.09.77. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">92 k to the Pole. I'm glad I'm wearing bib pants, things are feeling kind of loose. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">George from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Antarctica</span>.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406214970496594241.post-90510693626683507722008-01-08T11:33:00.000-08:002008-01-08T11:36:17.150-08:00January 7<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 33<br />Brilliant day again at -10 no wind. In the afternoon I skied with no hat or gloves but after only 1 hr I put extra sun screen. This blog is for my parents Walter and Wanda. Today is their 58<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> Wedding Anniversary. They married in Edmonton on Jan 7 1950. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD. They raised 5 children in Edmonton. They came to Edmonton with nothing and gave us everything. Mom was deported from Poland to Siberia and Dad fought in the war with Italy. Mom schooled in Karachi India. They met in Edmonton and as Dad says "Mom made the best potato pancakes so I married her". Love you both - George. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Locations S 88.55.818 w 079 elevation 2729. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">George from Antarctica</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406214970496594241.post-92066783449809430902008-01-08T11:31:00.000-08:002008-01-08T11:32:49.188-08:00January 6<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Day 32 - a gorgeous day. One the best of the trip. -20 with no wind. Had a great day <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">skiing</span> now only 5 days to go. Feeling fit and strong. Team is doing okay. Lots of us have dry coughs from the dry cold air. Bernice is having some problems breathing but managing to keep up. George from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Antarctica</span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406214970496594241.post-50121395269328142382008-01-03T20:48:00.000-08:002008-01-10T20:15:47.482-08:00January 3<pre style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >We are at 88 degrees South. 120 nautical miles from the South Pole. It was cold and<br />clear -40 with a wind chill. We had a short day with sleeping in till 9. We<br />completed 16k. We re now camped at 2587 elevation.<br /><br />Team profile today is Merete Spilling Gjertsen.<span class="style2"><strong></strong></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Born in small town of Norway. Merete studied medicine in Switzerland. She practised</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">as a family doctor in a small town in Norway. She met her husband Tom while skiing in</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Switzerland. Merete was born with skis on her feet. She has trekked in Nepal, Skied</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Baffin Island and Greenland. Of all the team Merete enjoys being here the most.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">She says there hasn't been a bad day so far. She is following in the footsteps of</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">one of her heroes, Norwegian Roald Nordunsem. He was the first person to reach the</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">South Pole. Our "Queen of Norway" is a regular ski machine. Nothing stops her, and</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">she is awesome medical relief if needed.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">George from Antarctica</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">January 5</span> </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Day 31 - Beautiful clear day-15 light wind. A fresh snow shone like a million diamonds<br />everywhere.It was a really good day on the snow. Tonight I am relaxing in the solo tent.<br />As the journey continues and nears the end, there are lots of chances to think about<br />many things. I will be glad to be home and with family next week. The luxury of a<br />flushed toilet is beyond me. As you travel your mind is cleared. You sort things out<br />and try to make them whole! As my favorite author N.K. did to unburden himself until<br />all was left was a sack of bones. I'm not quite there yet. I still have a little spare.<br />The idea of unburdening yourself is to let it all out. This trip away from all distractions<br />helps me think and clean out the thoughts. We all have so much incoming content in our lives.<br />It is important to reverse that and get out what we feel. And as this journey comes to a<br />close in the epitath of N.K. "I need nothing, I fear nothing,I am free".<br /><br />George from Antartica</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">January 4</span> </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Day 30 - Tough day we did almost 25k in variable conditions. We climbed 70 m.<br />All of our face masks look like works of art. Fantastic Forms as they say. We<br />all go on for our own reasons. We still have plenty of time to think. Tough as it is.<br />Nothing is as tough as losing a child . And for some of us a brother. I want to dedicate<br />this blog to my brother Leslie who passed away 27 yrs ago this coming July, and to<br />Corn Phillips who passed away 10 yrs ago and his brother Ralph who passed last yr.<br />This blog and the march tomorrow is dedicated to them.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">George from Antarctica.</span></span></span></pre>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406214970496594241.post-14805492936992888602008-01-03T20:46:00.000-08:002008-01-03T20:48:18.625-08:00January 2<pre style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The usual. It was a cold morn with -25 and wind chill -35. Went well with good<br />surface. We are days away. I had a problem with fogged up glasses all day, so I<br />went without for 2 hrs. We just did over 25km. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Tomorrow</span> we get to rest till 11am.<br />Going well, but it doesn't get easier.<br /><br />George from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Antarctica</span></span></pre>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406214970496594241.post-3822113467865039652008-01-03T20:45:00.000-08:002008-01-03T20:46:37.373-08:00January 1<pre style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">New Years Day. We left camp at 6 am. A ton of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">sastrugi</span> and white outs. We were up and<br />down, hard on the back. We ran into some small <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">crevaces</span>. We did 26 km in terrible<br />conditions. It was warm no wind. Happy New Year to everyone.</span></pre>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406214970496594241.post-36371936394760574312008-01-02T11:32:00.000-08:002008-01-02T11:33:52.703-08:00December 31<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Happy New Year<br /><br />Cloudy day, started out warm. I am in my solo tent writing my blog, we<br />did 26.4km we had a get </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">together</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, at </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Norwegian</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> time (8pm our time). <br />6am wake up tomorrow. Happy New Year. George.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406214970496594241.post-15378478922648044112008-01-02T11:22:00.000-08:002008-01-02T11:32:06.268-08:00December 30<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 25 Sunday Brunch<br /><br />We left camp on a clear cold day -19 with a wind in our face. Less than<br />an hour out and Eric turns and sees a black spot moving towards us. We<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">glance</span> back and keep skiing. Half hour later up pulls a tractor, train<br />pulling a piston bully tractor pulling a tractor, two sleds of gear and a<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">caboose</span> with a radar array behind. It happened to be a joint <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ANI</span><br />(Adventure Network International) Chilean Government Expedition. Only<br />the second tractor train to go this route. Measuring snow, ice movement<br />and scanning for shallow crevasses. Aboard is Mike McDowell owner <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ANI</span>.<br />There are two US, one Canadian, one New <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Zealander</span>, One Brit, three<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Chilean</span> scientists. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Their</span> expedition is to the South Pole and then with<br />Pole of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">inaccessibility</span>. The furthest point from 2000 one way, 4000 km<br />round trip. We posed for pictures and then got invited in for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">omelets</span><br />and fresh bread. I ate seven pieces of fresh bread one hour after we<br />had breakfast at camp. We posed for more photos, they then gave us wine,<br />cashes, more bread. Mike McDowell gave me a couple of cigars (given to<br />him by the son of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Fidel</span> Castro). It was all over quickly and soon back<br />on the trail. We did 21.5km today. George<br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3406214970496594241.post-9007906221468643082008-01-02T11:04:00.000-08:002008-01-02T11:22:30.878-08:00December 29<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 24 we had a great day. We climbed 200 m elevation. We did 27.7 km. We are at 700 meters from 87 degrees south.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Today's team profile is Bernice <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Notenboom</span>. Bernice is Dutch and when she reaches the South Pole she will be the first Dutch woman to ski all the way. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Berncie</span> worked for Microsoft and left to start her own company <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Multitrek</span>. Bernice has traveled extensively and works on various projects. As a journalist she is writing a log about this trip for a Dutch newspaper as well as weekly articles for magazines. She is also writing an article about the expedition for National Geographic. She carries on addressing the topic of global warming on Arctic alert.com. Bernice currently lives in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Fernie</span>, BC. She loves it here in Antarctica. Location South 86.59 West 081.15</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">George <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Team</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">CANDU</span> out.</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0