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more antics from Resolute Bay - Thurs 27th April

Unfortunately tonight’s log may be a little shorter than you are used to. This is partly because we are all absolutely shattered after all the exercise, late nights and early mornings but mainly because our very hard working network manager, Sarah Rogers has a blind date. We wish her all the best and hope it goes well. Seriously though, Sarah has had the massive job of uploading all the material and photos to the website as well as keeping me calm when we have had difficulties getting the pictures and messages through. She has worked hard every evening and the team really appreciates her efforts. The postcard is in the post!

Just a comment from me - Sarah Rogers - to put the record straight!! - I told Andrew I was going out for a well earned drink!! There is NO blind date, just a drink and a meal with the girls!!

Today started with a 3 hour trek to the top of Signal Hill. Some crack skiers even chose to take their skis up to the top and ski down. At the top we took a number of photos for our sponsors until all our faces were frozen into smiles!

The crack ski team which somehow included Mr Davis then found a route down which was at least a black run (probably) Matt and Mr Davis had a competition to see who would fall over most as they went down, Mr Davis won 64 falls to 48!

In the afternoon we had the privilege of meeting the Susan the Town Mayor and Josh who also works in the Hamlet office (like our equivalent to the Town Hall). To our surprise and delight we have had the honour of being made honourary citizens of Resolute Bay .

This was followed up by volleyball practice for 2 hours – we are determined to give the locals a decent game. (I’m not kidding about this we really did practice!)

On the way back from the gym Lucy, Ady and Liane met with Gary who had just shot his first bear and the three of them were invited back to his house to see his kill.

We have had a small medical emergency – it would seem that Lucy has managed to get frostbite in her tongue!

This evening we were set some leadership tasks which the group set about with their normal enthusiasm and ‘can do’ attitude even though it only involved moving some beds around for the hotel owner to help him out. Hopefully in return he will allow us to borrow some of his sleeping bags to add to the ones that we brought out so that the whole group can sleep in the igloo and tents which we will be spending tomorrow building with a local Inuit Elder – should be fun, more details tomorrow.

Andrew

Previous Logs

Ski Mountaineers Are Us!!! - Weds 26th April 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.
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