120 km in 12 days…
Published on 21.04.2009 - General Info
The French duo is experiencing extremely cold temperatures for the season and the two men have taken the option to stay in their tents until it gets a little warmer...
This is an extract from Arnaud Tortel's blog dated 19th April: "Yesterday they covered 11 km after walking or 5 œ hours, which is pretty good going. But today, 19th April, the cold has brought them to a complete halt, because when you add in the wind-chill effect, the temperature has fallen to minus 50°... When it gets that low, you have to take every precaution until spring sets in. As a result, our two explorers have been forced to remain in their tent and wait for the temperature to improve (the sun is still low on the horizon, even though it is gaining 1° in elevation every day). So the men are making the most of this rest period to treat their small patches of frostbite (face, hands, feet) and get themselves back in shape for the remainder of the expedition. This lull in proceedings is also necessary because yesterday, Arnaud injured himself crossing a compression ridge. 'Nothing too serious,' he told his wife Lycia by satellite, 'but no way I could have gone a step further... My back just locked up. Today, I'm taking good care of myself and doing everything I can to be fit again for tomorrow!' With a few of his own lotions and potions and a bit of anatomy 101, everything will be just fine!..."
The blog does not say whether they will be able to stay long in their tent, because for the past few days, positive drift has been pushing them southwards. During the night of 12th April, for example, the sea-ice carried them over a kilometre. Having said that, they are still having problems recharging their batteries, with the elevation of the sun above the horizon only gaining at the rate of 1° per day. As a result, there is little in the way of satellite communication with this expedition for the time being.
