Pole to Pole - day five
DAY FIVE of the Pole to Pole trek and the cold starts to bite.
Monday 9th; The boys were tent-bound for the day having woken to fierce 50mph winds. Trying to move and take down their tent would have been impossible and the risk of damage or loss would not have been worthwhile.
Tuesday 10th; They were able to carry on south, however, in the five days between them heading north and south again, an open water lead had appeared some 20 yards wide.
This is was an unexpected change in the sea ice in such a short time. Last night the boys sent back some dramatic footage of Rob kitting up and wading in through slushy ice before swimming across the open lead pulling his sledge behind him.
To come across such a problem so early in the trip highlights what a massive task they have ahead of them.
Last night the boys called to say they had made their way back to the small hunters hut for an overnight stop to dry out and will be carrying on south today to begin ascending the glacier you may have seen in ITN's broadcast on Sunday night at 6.40pm. ITN will be running another piece this coming Sunday evening so hopefully you can see Rob's swimming antics!
In the UK, the expedition sailing vessel Ice Maiden is close to departing. I am taking her out for a shake-down sail this Saturday with the skipper and crew to test all systems and make sure she is ready for the long journey ahead.
It has been a very busy time over the last month for her owner Terry! We have had to install special satellite communications equipment, a new generator and have her anti-fouled, cleaned and branded in time to meet with Rob and James in late May on the west coast of Greenland.
After last Sunday nights piece on ITN, the website received 116,000 hits with lots of new messages put on the site within hours. People have asked for the theme music from the TV advert to "where can I buy a T-Shirt"
Adidas are going to supply some Impossible is Nothing clothing which people can buy through the website.
In the office, we are now focusing on the USA and planning ahead the route and stopovers as the boys cycle from New York City through Washington across the States to Mexico.
Thank you to everyone who has and is supporting this world first attempt – the boys really appreciate it.
There is still scope for sponsors to come on board this exciting project and benefit from the considerable exposure this trip is already generating.
Howard Andrews
Expedition Manager
Pole to Pole Manpowered
for more infor see www.180degrees.co.uk
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Weather for Horsham
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: North east
