Day 44

Just as Kris suggested it was warming up we had the coldest day of the trip so far with wind chill measured at -34 (before the wind picked up). Getting going in those temperatures is a challenge but everyone was ready to depart by 0750. It was rather bizarre stepping off heading directly at the full moon, but it certainly made navigation easier. Most of the day was spent in near white out conditions with an unusual dull light and with the wind driving us on and snow accumulating around us whenever we stopped. The day passed slowly with everyone immersed in their own world for much of the day. The cold is impacting people and electronics apart and we’re having some difficulty getting the blogs away. Keeping batteries functioning in these conditions is an art rather than a science. At present I’m sleeping with (in my sleeping bag) 1 laptop, 1 power bank, 1 sat phone, 1 GPS, 1 phone … there’s just about room for me as long as I don’t move. Still with the wind at our backs we covered some good ground again today and we’re reeling in those Western Mountains.