February 21, 2010
Counting Down
A roller coaster would feel better than this. Today, the pressure got to us all. Nerves our wearing thin and coordinating food purchases, gear lists and logistics over the Internet has its obvious disadvantages. Still I can't imaging doing any of this without my computer.
John Ross (whom I've never met before), commented on my Facebook Polar Explorer Eric Larsen Fan Page, 'When your feet feel good, everything else just seems to fall into place.' I'm inclined to believe him. While things are definitely chaotic, we are accomplishing the many tasks one after another in unnervingly rapid succession.
We are excited to have signed on another Sponsor. The North West Company is underwriting some of Darcy's travel costs. While the support is very much appreciated (and needed), I am actually more honored by the fact that I am now aligned with an organization that is so intertwined with the history of exploration. For those of you who don't know about the companies history, I would encourage a quick Bing search and see for yourself.
To get to the North Pole we have to fly a fairly circuitous route north. After, leaving Ottawa, we head to Iqaluit on Baffin Island and then back (and north) to Resolute. After that its almost straight north to Cape Discovery. AJ booked our flights from Resolute on the 25th and our tentative departure date from Cape Discovery is March 2nd.
I have been checking the weather regularly in Resolute... - 40 F today. It's been a weird winter up there. Unusually warm and ice free. I have also heard that ice conditions are atrocious.
Darcy has been cranking on all sorts of things. Today, after buying food, he cooked inordinate amounts of bacon that will be added to breakfasts and dinners. His whole family is helping. While this has been difficult for both AJ and I, Darcy has a two children and his wife, Carol, is also in medical school. I don't know how they do it. Truly amazing.
As for me, I'm barely keeping it together. Event though my feet feel good, I still broke down again today. There are so many details that need to be exactly correct. We are all operating on too little sleep as well. Tomorrow, will be a good day. I leave for Minnesota. Soon, there will be no more decisions to make except which flavor Clif bar to eat, when to switch from skis to Atlas snowshoes, and which piece of ice looks most suitable for a The Big Kev (our Sierra Designs tent).
I can't wait.
Picture: Canadian Geography 101. What Island is Cape Discovery on? Bonus points for the correct territory.
The Save the Poles expedition is sponsored by Bing with major support from the University of Plymouth, Terramar, Goal0, Atlas and Sierra Designs.
Remember, it's cool to be cold. Save the Poles. Save the planet.
For more information, please visit www.ericlarsenexplore.com. For media inquiries, please contact lora@screamagency.com. For technical inquires, please contact webexpeditions.net
John Ross (whom I've never met before), commented on my Facebook Polar Explorer Eric Larsen Fan Page, 'When your feet feel good, everything else just seems to fall into place.' I'm inclined to believe him. While things are definitely chaotic, we are accomplishing the many tasks one after another in unnervingly rapid succession.
We are excited to have signed on another Sponsor. The North West Company is underwriting some of Darcy's travel costs. While the support is very much appreciated (and needed), I am actually more honored by the fact that I am now aligned with an organization that is so intertwined with the history of exploration. For those of you who don't know about the companies history, I would encourage a quick Bing search and see for yourself.
To get to the North Pole we have to fly a fairly circuitous route north. After, leaving Ottawa, we head to Iqaluit on Baffin Island and then back (and north) to Resolute. After that its almost straight north to Cape Discovery. AJ booked our flights from Resolute on the 25th and our tentative departure date from Cape Discovery is March 2nd.
I have been checking the weather regularly in Resolute... - 40 F today. It's been a weird winter up there. Unusually warm and ice free. I have also heard that ice conditions are atrocious.
Darcy has been cranking on all sorts of things. Today, after buying food, he cooked inordinate amounts of bacon that will be added to breakfasts and dinners. His whole family is helping. While this has been difficult for both AJ and I, Darcy has a two children and his wife, Carol, is also in medical school. I don't know how they do it. Truly amazing.
As for me, I'm barely keeping it together. Event though my feet feel good, I still broke down again today. There are so many details that need to be exactly correct. We are all operating on too little sleep as well. Tomorrow, will be a good day. I leave for Minnesota. Soon, there will be no more decisions to make except which flavor Clif bar to eat, when to switch from skis to Atlas snowshoes, and which piece of ice looks most suitable for a The Big Kev (our Sierra Designs tent).
I can't wait.
Picture: Canadian Geography 101. What Island is Cape Discovery on? Bonus points for the correct territory.
The Save the Poles expedition is sponsored by Bing with major support from the University of Plymouth, Terramar, Goal0, Atlas and Sierra Designs.
Remember, it's cool to be cold. Save the Poles. Save the planet.
For more information, please visit www.ericlarsenexplore.com. For media inquiries, please contact lora@screamagency.com. For technical inquires, please contact webexpeditions.net