Day 42

Remarkably the good weather is holding and the snow remains firm and fast. As we head west with every bit of skin covered the sun rises magnificently over the ice cap behind us drawing everyone in their own time to glance around and take in the sight. For the first three hours I held off on any audio just to be in the moment and conscious of our surroundings. It’s quite a remarkable place and a huge privilege to be here. Admittedly, the endless whilte nothingness does get a wee bit tedious at times. But I switch back to podcasts for the remainder of the day. This time it’s The Infinite Monkey Cage and I get a crash course in fusion, genetics, Jupiter and Saturn, and if and when we’ll be able to live on Mars. Perhaps most fitting however, is listening to an episode broadcast from the Explorers Club meet in Portugal discussing Arctic exploration and the peace and majesty of the endless ice.

Today’s challenge is getting the pace right. It’s important we continue to make swift progress but it’s all about developing momentum and that little bit of extra speed now has a price in terms of wearing out the team. We need to find a sustainable pace that works for all. Another great pull today and we’re not far off the ideal pace but I’m conscious of wearing people out too soon.