Day 48

With the forecast snow and a long hard day behind us we enjoy a lie in to try and recoup and plan. Sure enough we wake to a heavy dump overnight and thick snow for most of day. Visibility is very limited but never the less we set off backtracking east along line of crevasses for over two hours. Eventually we turn south in order to box around the crevasse field.

With a plan comes certainty, and with certainty renewed resolve. We push on into the white out conditions determined to find a way through. After our first confirmed bird sighting as two Arctic Terns swooped out of the snow. In front of us we find the most amazing meltwater river roaring between blue ice banks. Fortunately, we don’t have to cross it and instead enjoy a ‘river side’ lunch stop.

Finally, we are able to turn west again and are instantly fighting through a series of perpendicular meltwater channels in heavy snow. It’s tough going but at least we’re heading west again. After eight hard hours we are just 1.5km due south of last night’s camp…..! Two hours later and we’ve finally reached the waypoint at the entrance to the ‘exit corridor’. Despite the temptation to push on I call a halt to the day with complex terrain and zero visibility limiting our options. Hopefully some good progress in the morning.