09
Mar
Day 9
The terrain is slowly changing, each minute that Tom moves further towards the pole see's this dynamic landscape alter as the ice conforms to it's environment.
The plates of ice move according to the forces exerted on them by the ocean current and winds, some butting up to the land, creating pressure ridges and ice fields as other sheets collide into them whilst others drift or get forced apart to expose seams of Arctic ocean called “leads”.
Today Tom approached what he referred to as the “super lead”, a lead approximately 30 kilometres out from the start point that marks the delineation between the ice that has been compressed up against the land, and what Tom called “The ice cap proper”.
It sounds like an awe inspiring sight, over a mile wide at the point Tom crossed, it's frozen surface significantly thinner than the ice around it making crossing both exciting and intimidating to say the least. It's perfectly flat expanse stretching as far as Tom could see, his comment to me was not one of fear but of respect; “Mate, I can hardly see the other side, what happens if I get halfway across and I just find moving water?”
We then went on to discuss what the future may hold, I described the extent of the fragmented ice that is visible in the satellite images and the fact that frequent lead crossings are coming up. This doesn't seem to phase Tom, the manner in which he spoke left me in no doubt that he is totally fine with the prospects of getting in the water and swimming across numerous leads.
“I'm comfortable with the swimming across the leads, I'm fine with that”
Again the weather has been kind to Tom with the lack of wind causing minimal drift, something the other teams are having to deal with.
I should imagine waking up in the morning 4 kilometres further away from the pole than when you set up camp could weigh very heavily in the mind. Couple this with the other stressors that occur in this environment can wear you down very quickly.
So we are set to herald in another part of the expedition as we continue further on to the ice cap, with some different terrain to what has been encountered this past week expected.
Not knowing where the leads and ice formations lie, let alone what is over the next ridge is something that is part and parcel of polar exploration so my final comment to Tom could possibly have been better thought out.
“So what's your plan for tomorrow mate?”
“Might head North Jim. What do you think?”
Click here to find out Tom's location at the time of this post.
