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Making up lost time
THE LATEST news from the Pole to Pole expedition, with Rob Gauntlett and James Hooper.
Thursday 12th: A good day; Rob and James spent ten hours skiing to make up lost time from yesterday's swimming antics, however, the latest video footage they have sent back via satellite shows them both looking tired.
They hit land and began the strenuous process of pulling up the slopes just above the shore line.
It was good to see them back on terra firma and as yet, they have not encountered any Ice Bears which has been a relief!
The effort required to ski and pull 200lb sledges was beginning to show however, and the video clips they sent were the first ones where I could see the strain beginning to show.
Friday 13th: Friday was heavy going. Back on land, the rocky lower slopes of the glacier have taken their toll on both the sledges an the boys and have caused damage to the underside of both sledges which is worrying so early in the trip.
They still have some 300 miles to cover! Rob had to cut away some damaged material and there is now a little concern about the ability of the sledges to survive the trip. The boys insist they are ok - I am yet to be convinced?
Saturday 14th: Strong winds again and the boys were tent bound all day - more time lost. They anticipate being back in Qaanaaq in about 10-12 days (28/29th April) to re-supply.
They took 30 days rations with them and have already been away 15 days. They need to make Qaanaaq in the next ten days or so to avoid running low on food.
Yesterday in Southampton, Andy and I took Ice Maiden out for a sail and met the new skipper Tim Magee who will be skippering the legs that Rob and James are sailing. Tim's leadership and management style were great and I was very encouraged meeting him that we have a good man at the helm. Mark Phillips, marketing manager at Adidas also joined us and he was able to meet Tim along with Jethro, the 1st mate.
Ice Maiden is still not ready to depart which was frustrating. This was due partly to equipment not being ready and the frame for the Fleet 77 unit having the mounting holes drilled in the wrong place! She will now set sail on Tuesday evening at 18.00hrs from Shamrock Quay in Southampton.
Sunday 15th: Today they will be ascending the glacier, the same one you may have seen them climbing in last weekend's TV coverage. ITN are running another two minute piece tonight on the 6.40-7pm news slot. If you miss it - ITN are showing the clips on both their websites and our 180 site too, so you can see it another time.
Howard Andrews
Expedition Manager
Pole to Pole Manpowered
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Weather for Horsham
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
