PICTURES |
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Each second day the expedition will be transmitting their news, from the
Arctic Ocean, back to Resolute Bay by talking on High Frequency radio.
From Resolute Bay, their base manager will give them the latest news from the
world. Photo : Rune Gjeldnes
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Rune just relaxing, in extreme clothing. Photo : David Hempleman-Adams
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David walking on thin ice. You can feel the ice is moving under your
feet. Photo : Rune Gjeldnes
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The coldest part of a day! Packing sledges, when the temperature is -
50°C, the wind is blowing and your body has not got any heat yet. Photo : Rune Gjeldnes
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The expedition is walking on a frozen ocean with different ice
thickness.
But the water is moving, strong currents, and lots of places the ice is
breaking up, which cause big problems for expeditions. How to cross it?
You have 3 choices. Sometimes the best way is to walk around, or you
can,
if you have the right sledges, connect two of them and use it as a raft.
The third, and not so good one, is to wait until the lid is frozen. That
will take 12 to 18 hours. Photo : Rune Gjeldnes
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They are using a MSR stove and a special boiling system, to melt snow
for drinking and cooking. The stove is not used to heat the tent, because
to do so would mean using a lot of fuel, which means weight. A good quality sleeping
bag is enough. Photo : Rune Gjeldnes
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Liquid is very important. Through the day, David and Rune need at least
3 to 4 litres. Most of it is Confecta soft drinks (powder) which they drink from the Thermos
while they are walking.
Photo : Rune Gjeldnes
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Photo : Rune Gjeldnes
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Sometimes it can blow and snow for days. Some nights they may have to
dig away the snow to secure the tent. Not exactly a "happy hour".
Photo : Rune Gjeldnes
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During last winter's North Pole Ecxpedition, David and Rune participated in a
rescue operation to save the life of an young man who attempted to go solo to
the North Pole. He lost all of his equipment and had got some bad frostbite
on his fingers and legs. After two days in David and Rune's tent, Bradley
Air Services manages to land on a very short airstrip, and brought the young
man back to civilisation.
Photo : Rune Gjeldnes
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Ice rubbles! For many days you can have ice conditions like this,
especially during the first 150 kms. You have to fight for each step, and
lot of passion is needed.
Photo : Rune Gjeldnes
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Every afternoon, David and Rune erect the Union Jack and the
Norwegian flag in the snow. It's a ritual.
Photo : Rune Gjeldnes
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Some ice rubbles take your breath away, and you could wish you were
somewhere else. But the light in the pressure ridges of ice is just
fantastic. It's a good reason to be there!
Photo : Rune Gjeldnes
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One of the biggest problems on a North Pole expedition is that
everything freezes, special your sweat which goes into your clothing
and sleeping bag. It's very important to brush all ice and snow away from
the clothing if it is possible.
Photo : Rune Gjeldnes
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Photo : Rune Gjeldnes
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Through the labyrinth of ice rubbles and pressure ridges, it is very
important to plan the route. If you are lucky, you can climb up on a big
pressure ridge and plan the next 500 metres.
Photo : Rune Gjeldnes
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