Three expeditions cancel their adventure to North Pole
Published on 10.03.2011 - General Info
The press release has been published some days ago. Three expeditions cannot wait any longer and have been obliged to cancel their trek.
Bad luck for all these people. Although there were fit and quite motivated, and ready to fight against bad ice conditions and probably bad weather, they had to face the situation and announce that this year, it was too risky to go for it.
Delay
Why this ? Here are some excerpts from their press release : "It's been pretty frustrating this end with delays. We were originally scheduled to fly out on February 25 and this date has been postponed and postponed for various reasons - mainly limited daylight hours and weather conditions that have been unsuitable for landing. We have had all our equipment out at the airport since February 27 and are just waiting here in Resolute Bay, paying a small fortune, and waiting. ...
"The bigger problem is that we had allowed ourselves 60 days for the North Pole Expedition; and didn't think we'd have a whole lot of time to spare for bad weather/conditions on the ice. We're now 7 days later than we had anticipated, with no definite flight date - and the chances of a successful trip are becoming very slim. ...
Pick up date
"If we don't make the NP by April 26 (the final day for pick up by the Russians who operate a temporary ice base on the Arctic Ocean), then we'll have to pay for a pick up from this side by the Canadians which will cost an extra 105k!! Their final date for pick up is April 30 and our expedition would be forced to finish, regardless of our proximity to the pole or otherwise. We have been on standby for the past 2 mornings again, with all the anticipation and apprehension that that brings, but again got a stand-down call at 7am. Although the pilot is ready to fly, the conditions are impossible. ..."
The three expeditions concerned by this statement are : The Irish duo Pat Falvey/Clare O'Leary, the RAF team (Matthew Stowers and Jules Weeklkes) and the solo Italian Michele Portrandolfo.
As far as the other teams are concerned : Art Mortvedt is making the final tests and preparation for his flight to NP. He should leave Alaska on April 1st. The Walking with the Wounded is ready to leave for Longyearbyen, Svalbard. Saunders left the UK on 8 March and seems not be too affected by the abandon of the other three teams.
The sailing teams (La voie du Pôle and Avannaq) won't leave before May or June.
