Day 33

Another cold and blustery start with every inch of skin shielded from the biting NW wind (in our faces again). Crossing this featureless white desert is demanding physically and mentally. With no features to aim for or measure progress against, it’s a simple repeat of the same formula – leg drive, pole shove and pelvic thrust to get the pulks moving, then repeat…for what feels like 2000 times each hour. A measure of success is beating 2km/Hr and not being able to still see the last stopping point at the far end of the long ski trail extending into the distance.

Over a long expedition like this, individuals peak and trough at different times for different reasons – today was my turn to hit a wall. After breaking trail first in the cold morning wind and then immediately switching to pulling 3 pulks at the back (a mistake!) I was feeling a little jaded but not particularly so. By the lunch stop however my guts were turning themselves inside out and I was in all sorts of trouble – I didn’t know how I was going to finish leg 5 never mind 6, 7 and 8.

But I guess this is the very point of Adventurous Training. It takes you to places, literally and metaphorically, where you are tested to your limits and invites you to find a way through. Whether that’s a fear of heights, sailing in big seas or just keeping going physically when your body is telling you to stop. A quick imodium tablet, some strong words to myself and some classic rock music turned up high and I made it through to the end of the day in one piece. A bit of sleep tonight and tomorrow’s another day.

It is a privilege to be here in this white wilderness but sometimes I wish for some kind of feature to aim for. Dye III the old abandoned Cold War early warning station is now about 56Km away and our interim aiming mark before we turn SW for the coast. I’m looking forward to seeing it rise over the horizon.