Today the team reports that they traveled 24.4 kilometers in 10 hours and ended
at the “most beautiful camp.” It is a gorgeous day with barely any wind and -19C
temperature. They set up their tents near the base of a nunatak they estimate to
be around 6,000 feet high. The team has marked another milestone…they passed
84 degrees! In less than one more degree they will be half way
there!

Everyone on the team is in good spirits but BB and Dennis both
have signs of “polar thigh” a cold weather related skin rash that can affect the
thighs of people who are traveling in extreme cold, especially into the wind.
The team is monitoring the rashes as well as devising ways to increase the
thermal regulation of their thighs. BB has a new “skirt” made of down and wool
to cover her thighs and it sounds like Dennis is also experimenting with his
clothing to try and give his thighs a little more protection. So far this is
nothing more than a minor bother but they will keep monitoring their legs.

The team’s position today is S 84.10.326, W 85.24.223. Make sure to
listen to the audio report from Dennis and check back again tomorrow for another
update from the team!http://fullsouthpoleski2012.blogspot.com/2011/12/most-beautiful-camp.html

From a couple days ago when they
had windy conditions

The team reports that they are well today despite an uphill climb against the
wind. Conditions were very nice with blue sky and -28C temperature with wind
factored in. The team skied 23.5 kilometers in 9.5 hours (of mostly uphill
skiing). They have spotted what they believe is the Trans Antarctic Range, home
of the Thiel Mountains where their next resupply is positioned. This is still
days away but it is exciting to have a goal in sight.

Bob gives a
wonderfully descriptive audio update talking about the wind, sasturgi and
climbing. For those of you who don’t have access to the audio he mentions that
going uphill is a triple whammy. First, there is the uphill pulling that is hard
enough; Second, the katabatic winds pour down from the polar plateau making it
windy; and third, the wind generates larger sastrugi. Hopefully all this hard
work will make the polar plateau feel a LOT easier!

The team is getting
more efficient and they will likely cross 84 degrees tomorrow. Their current
position is S83.57.755, W84.53.470.

Make sure to listen to Bob’s audio
update and check back again tomorrow for another update from the team!

Today the team reports that their pace is improving, with 24 kilometers
accomplished in 10 hours. They had beautiful weather with temperatures around
-20C and a light wind. Off in the distance they can see two nunataks.

For
those of you who were unable to listen to yesterday’s audio report, the strange
sound that scared the team was the roar of a Twin Otter plane landing just
meters from them. The plane approached from behind them and they didn’t know
that it was approaching until it was right next to them! The plane was on its
way to position their third resupply. As they were passing overhead we organized
for the pilots to drop off a small care package including some new boots for BB
(that’s Bryony). She has had a rough time with the boots she had brought and the
liner was deteriorating. We also sent them a couple goodies, including a
birthday cake for BB (shhhh… it’s a surprise) as it is her birthday on
December 21.

The team sounds happy and in good spirits. Their current
position is S83 45.643, W84 15.672

Dennis navigating. That’s the
chest plate for the compass that allows for “hands free’
use.

Make sure to listen to BB’s update and check back
again tomorrow for another update from the team!

Today the team reports that their pace is improving, with 24 kilometers
accomplished in 10 hours. They had beautiful weather with temperatures around
-20C and a light wind. Off in the distance they can see two nunataks.

For
those of you who were unable to listen to yesterday’s audio report, the strange
sound that scared the team was the roar of a Twin Otter plane landing just
meters from them. The plane approached from behind them and they didn’t know
that it was approaching until it was right next to them! The plane was on its
way to position their third resupply. As they were passing overhead we organized
for the pilots to drop off a small care package including some new boots for BB
(that’s Bryony). She has had a rough time with the boots she had brought and the
liner was deteriorating. We also sent them a couple goodies, including a
birthday cake for BB (shhhh… it’s a surprise) as it is her birthday on
December 21.

The team sounds happy and in good spirits. Their current
position is S83 45.643, W84 15.672

Dennis navigating. That’s the
chest plate for the compass that allows for “hands free’
use.

Make sure to listen to BB’s update and check back
again tomorrow for another update from the team!

Today the team reports that their pace is improving, with 24 kilometers
accomplished in 10 hours. They had beautiful weather with temperatures around
-20C and a light wind. Off in the distance they can see two nunataks.

For
those of you who were unable to listen to yesterday’s audio report, the strange
sound that scared the team was the roar of a Twin Otter plane landing just
meters from them. The plane approached from behind them and they didn’t know
that it was approaching until it was right next to them! The plane was on its
way to position their third resupply. As they were passing overhead we organized
for the pilots to drop off a small care package including some new boots for BB
(that’s Bryony). She has had a rough time with the boots she had brought and the
liner was deteriorating. We also sent them a couple goodies, including a
birthday cake for BB (shhhh… it’s a surprise) as it is her birthday on
December 21.

The team sounds happy and in good spirits. Their current
position is S83 45.643, W84 15.672

Dennis navigating. That’s the
chest plate for the compass that allows for “hands free’
use.

Make sure to listen to BB’s update and check back
again tomorrow for another update from the team!

Today the team reports wind, and lots of it! Now THIS is the kind of weather
they were expecting from Antarctica (but it doesn’t mean they have to like it!)
Dennis, in his wonderful audio update mentions that his beard froze to his ruff
while he was setting up his tent, and that it often felt like the wind was
pushing him back one step for every two he took forward. A challenging day to be
sure, but they managed to put 22 kilometers behind them.

Dennis also
mentions a very strange sound and explains what frightened them so much that
they almost jumped out of their skins. I’ll let him tell the story… and if you
aren’t able to pick up the audio file you can email mefor the full
report.

Not much else to report tonight, other than the team is doing
well. They love the support and questions they receive from everyone. We did not
get specific coordinates (the sat phone cut out) but we will post them when we
get them.

Enjoy the update from Dennis, and Happy 60th (!!!) wedding
anniversary to his in laws! Check back again tomorrow for another update from
the team!

Today the team reports beautiful traveling conditions and smooth going. At one
point they thought they saw mountains, but it turned out to be clouds. They are
on the lookout for mountains, at least the tops of mountains (called nunataks),
as they head toward their second resupply in the Thiel Mountains.

They
made 25 kilometers in 10 hours of travel. We will be reporting their coordinates
soon hopefully. We know that some of you are keeping track of their progress
with maps! In the meantime, here’s a picture we received of the team at the
first resupply.

The team at resupply
#1

Make sure to listen to Bryony’s audio report. We
especially liked the part about how light her sled felt before she realized the
second one wasn’t attached Check back in again tomorrow for another update
from the team!