Dispatch #41 - New Route via Reedy Glacier to South Pole

New Route via Reedy Glacier to South Pole

Dispatches

Jan 09

#41:
On the threshold

Published at 06:11

The Pole wasn't succumbing easily to our arrival and a light but bitter wind whipped at our faces as we skied over fresh ground towards ever-growing structures. After 4 hours of skiing and a quick break betwixt we arrived at the prescribed waypoint and set up camp but not before trying to get a setup shot of the three of us skiing in formation. What a debacle of crooked horizons, cropped heads and ultimately a 10-second self-timer that didn't allow me time to clip into my sled trace. The other option is to control the camera with an iPhone app but my fingers were already screaming from the fiddly work and I can only but post the final mash.

With an afternoon to spare we snoozed in our cold tent and now sit reading and typing, waiting for a beef curry to cook.

Tomorrow we rise at 5am, call ALE comms to confirm our departure and the absence of any South Pole station flight operations then ski along the road to the runway then alongside it to the station and to the Pole itself. Keith will ride on the hard and fast surface, enjoying a final burst after a long hiatus across the plateau.

Anticipation hangs heavy in the rarefied air.

Eric

Pic of the photo debacle and the station from our tent.

Name: Camp 33
Elevation: 2828 m
Latitude: 89° 55’ 32” South
Longitude: 131° 57’ 25” West

The photo debacle.

The station from our tent.

Comments

2023-04-22 03:35:28 keonhacai says: Your skill is great. I am so grateful that I am able to do a lot of work thanks to your technology. keonhacai I hope you keep improving this technology.
2022-11-24 10:08:51 lucille says: The cyber Monday clothing deals have different kinds of varieties and there is a huge discount on all the outfits because of cyber Monday. don't forget to check out the offer
2017-01-10 01:55:23 Karen says: The photo would be fine, if you hadn't mentioned the debacle! Good luck and happy arrival tomorrow!!
2017-01-09 21:05:52 Rob Easther says: Fantastic effort congratulations all.
2017-01-09 19:39:45 Geoff Murray says: Brilliant effort and result Eric and team! I followed your progress every day and really enjoyed the quirky comments. I imagine there is the usual mixture of relief that it is almost completed and disappointment that it is nearly over. Well done!
2017-01-09 18:51:15 Adie family says: Well done all of you. History will be made. An impressive achievement completed in style and a good time. We are proud to know you.
2017-01-09 16:13:38 sarah says: This is absolutely incredible. Have been following this blog since the start. Wake up everyday eager to read your progress. So amazing what you 3 are doing. Absolutely amazing!
2017-01-09 12:02:00 Janette says: I am an 80 yr old friend of Keith's Mum and have been following your daily reports with great interest - what an achievement! And what tales to tell. Congratulations indeed!
2017-01-09 10:27:59 Kerry Buchanan says: Hi Eric, have been following your progress & so pleased that you are getting close to your goal, was a bit worried earlier on, glad you recovered. I know how much you 'love' the cold. Enjoy the last push to the end. Take care Kerry xx
2017-01-09 08:00:43 Ingrid says: AMAZING ERIC AND TEAM!!!!! Enjoy those last steps!!!!!
2017-01-09 07:16:18 Ed says: Incredible! Wishing you the most excellent of final expedition days. Many congratulations. Ed2NorthPole