How cold is it? - Current Resolute Weather

Ski Mountaineers are us!! - Weds 26th April

Firstly Mrs Kane and Mrs Kelly I don’t know how you put up with them

Unfortunately the weather got the better of our plans today. The North Pole was not to be as the flat light gave limited visibility for our plane to land. So being full of beans and some strange red juice that I refer to as loopy juice that by the way has become Andrews latest addiction, we needed something exciting to do.

We set out to build an igloo, a very physically demanding task as we began to find out as we started to peel off the layers. Many hands make light work you’d think, we did pull together cutting slabs from the base layers of the snow and packing them together, two hours later we had the foundation layer and it was all up from there. Pretty good job for a first I think.
After a well earned lunch we thought we’d return to finish our igloo after a session of ski touring so over the hills and far away we went, what a fantastic way to travel!

On arrival in a gorgeous valley in the white wilderness along side our polar bear protector the camp dog we thought we’d try and improve our down hill techniques.
We’re flying now and managing to stay up right in some form, well most of the time, better look next time Matt!.
Tara slow down, we can’t catch you!!
It didn't’t take long for Harry to get up the side of the steep gorge closely followed by me only to be out done by a woman, sorry Harry!! He’s defiantly the fastest up hill skier around that’s for sure!
It was fantastic! We all got a little carried away, some defiantly needing a lie down even if it is -20, come on get up!!

Everyone did really well following Ady the guru of cross country skiing, well he is to us anyway!
Andy got a shock as he approached the base; our igloo had been destroyed, what happened?? Nasty Polar bears I think!! After a few tears and a lot of comforting we had roast beef to look forward too, Randy’s (the chef) cooking is great!
I think we’re rapidly losing our credibility on the sport side with the locals, they’re awesome at volleyball and basketball so tonight we’re playing football with our secret weapons Andrew and Andy, we’ll let you know how we get on, or not if we lose!!

Good night

Liane

Previous Logs

High Praise for Students - Tues 25th April There is praise and high praise and today Geoff who is an Inuit Ranger and a very quiet, unassuming but highly skillful young man said that our students were really tough on our trip out to Griffith Island. They had made full use of their short time there even though the wind was very strong and blowing a lot of snow around but despite it being very cold and uncomfortable on the sledges no students complained about the conditions.
Komatic riding across the Arctic Ocean - Mon 24th April After another hearty breakfast (everyone is well into fried breakfasts now) the day started really well with a trip to the school to see some lessons and have the opportunity to meet students from Resolute Bay. We visited a range of classes from Kindergarten through to senior school and spent recess there with Matt showing off his piano skills and Harry teaching them guitar.
What a fantastic welcome! - Sun 23rd April It’s a chilly morning with poor visibility but that isn’t going to interfere with our morning cross country ski. Everyone’s flying now, either gliding elegantly across the snow (Harry and Kizzie) or flying face or bum first (Lucy, James, Andrew - Davis that is! and even Ady) or flying through the air Liane!! (See photos)
First Day fun in Resolute - Sat 22nd April After our late arrival in Resolute last night we made the decision to make the most of every single moment up here in the High Arctic. Therefore it was an early rise at 7am for breakfast which consisted of a hearty fry up to provide plenty of calories for the days full program of activities. The wind was whistling past the window which was a sure sign that it would feel pretty cold - indeed our measurements of wind speed and still air temperatures showed it to be -32C.
Arrival in Resolute Fri 21st April Have made it to Resolute Bay after a bit of a horror 6 hour flight on a small plane that felt like it was never going to end - it even stopped for fuel on the way!!! Very tired and weary!
Out & About in Ottawa! Thurs 20th April Have safely arrived in Ottawa and are now settled into Adam's Airport Inn all ready for the flight North tomorrow. Temperature in Ottawa is an abnormally high +23C So the students went out in shirt sleeves tonight for tea - some even had shorts and flip flops on.They will experience a huge temperature change tomorrow as in Resolute it is currently -22C.  No more flipflops I suspect!

Thanks!

Now would seem like an appropriate time to thanks all those that have supported this expedition. Even though only 8 students are going to the North Pole, 10 students have made up the team and the two reserves have played their part in supporting the team with both dignity and enthusiasm – thanks to Katrina and Alistair we will be thinking of you when we get to the Pole. Thanks to the students and teachers at Exmouth Community College for taking part in fundraising events that has helped us achieve more than £26 000 towards the expedition. In particular, to Paul Jeffery who has been a massive help and to Pete, Sue, Angela and Paul who served on the PQ Management Group. Sarah Rogers and her ICT team have also been invaluable in helping to build the PQ website and advice and training on the laptops and cameras we have brought with us, as well as keeping the Ice Log up to date. Thanks also to The Pain trust and Adventure Trust for Girls for their financial assistance which has been crucial. Exmouth Town Council have also been very generous along with, ROK Construction, Faber Maunsell, Citizen Project, Ashfords, Fulfords and Bradleys Estate Agents and the Rotary Clubs of Exmouth who have all made donations which are allowing the students this once in a lifetime experience. Our sincere thanks goes to all those individuals and organisations who got involved.

Once we reach Resolute Bay we will be sending daily e-mails to report on the activities that we have been getting involved in so please keep logging on to this space to find out what we are doing. If you want to get in touch with us please e-mail the team - polar.watch