March 2, 2010
Sewing Circle
Another day is Resolute trying to finalize the million details before our expedition departure. Waking from another comfortable night's sleep in the South Camp Inn, we were greeted to some bad news: no expedition flights were leaving today, meaning we would be delayed another day in Resolute.
While we have accounted for some time delay in our schedule, this last piece of news is a bit worrisome. We have to be at the North Pole by April 26th to get picked up by a Russian Helicopter. The other option, well, we'd rather not talk about it right now. Darcy says we should put a positive spin on the news and simply view this an opportunity to, 'do more training.'
The extra day also relieves a bit of the stress we've been feeling lately. Even though we still need to check Atlas Snow Shoes, finish sewing patches, pack our resupply, test pulks and dry suits, practice AJ's science protocols and a few more things, we have also completed a majority of the pre departure checklist.
A lot of our gear got covered in extra foam today which was nice. To prevent getting frost burns from touching cold metal (fuel bottles, ski poles, shovel handle, etc) we cover them with a thin layer of closed cell foam and duct tape. That way, our fingers and hands are insulated any time we grab one of these items.
We were hoping to hire someone to help with sewing our major sponsor (Bing, Terramar and The University of Plymouth) patches on our gear but, no one stepped forward. So with little ceremony, we grabbed needles and threads, placed a few chairs in a circle and set about the chore of sewing. After a few mis starts, we actually became quite proficient - soliciting more than a few comments relating to future hobbies during our retirement years... house in the country, roaring fire, dog curled up, polar explorer reaches for his latest cross stitching project...
This time has also been useful to discuss strategies and systems that we will use while we are on the ice. In polar travel, efficiency is a hard skill and we try to eke energy savings by reducing the amount of time and effort required to do pretty much everything. Our conversations routinely focus around the proper technique to pull a sled over a pressure ridge, the manner in which AJ will spool rope after pulling up his Algae net, how to eat butter on the trail, ad infinitum.
These discussions also serve another purpose. Engaging in active debates allows us to refine team work skills. The simple acts of listening, offering opinions, talking through scenarios and making plans are all important skills to use when we are on the ice. Cold and tired, we will need to have the same objectivity, courtesy and overall dynamic if we are to succeed as a group.
For those of you still concerned, we are still missing our cheese!?! It has not showed up on the most recent cargo flight. Hopefully, tomorrow's passenger flight will yield our missing dairy products.
Top Tip from Today: After sewing on sponsor patches, AJ suggests that Polar Explorers should remember their home economics lessons. Picture: Darcy, Eric and AJ sewing Bing, Terramar and University of Plymouth patches on expedition clothing!
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
While we have accounted for some time delay in our schedule, this last piece of news is a bit worrisome. We have to be at the North Pole by April 26th to get picked up by a Russian Helicopter. The other option, well, we'd rather not talk about it right now. Darcy says we should put a positive spin on the news and simply view this an opportunity to, 'do more training.'
The extra day also relieves a bit of the stress we've been feeling lately. Even though we still need to check Atlas Snow Shoes, finish sewing patches, pack our resupply, test pulks and dry suits, practice AJ's science protocols and a few more things, we have also completed a majority of the pre departure checklist.
A lot of our gear got covered in extra foam today which was nice. To prevent getting frost burns from touching cold metal (fuel bottles, ski poles, shovel handle, etc) we cover them with a thin layer of closed cell foam and duct tape. That way, our fingers and hands are insulated any time we grab one of these items.
We were hoping to hire someone to help with sewing our major sponsor (Bing, Terramar and The University of Plymouth) patches on our gear but, no one stepped forward. So with little ceremony, we grabbed needles and threads, placed a few chairs in a circle and set about the chore of sewing. After a few mis starts, we actually became quite proficient - soliciting more than a few comments relating to future hobbies during our retirement years... house in the country, roaring fire, dog curled up, polar explorer reaches for his latest cross stitching project...
This time has also been useful to discuss strategies and systems that we will use while we are on the ice. In polar travel, efficiency is a hard skill and we try to eke energy savings by reducing the amount of time and effort required to do pretty much everything. Our conversations routinely focus around the proper technique to pull a sled over a pressure ridge, the manner in which AJ will spool rope after pulling up his Algae net, how to eat butter on the trail, ad infinitum.
These discussions also serve another purpose. Engaging in active debates allows us to refine team work skills. The simple acts of listening, offering opinions, talking through scenarios and making plans are all important skills to use when we are on the ice. Cold and tired, we will need to have the same objectivity, courtesy and overall dynamic if we are to succeed as a group.
For those of you still concerned, we are still missing our cheese!?! It has not showed up on the most recent cargo flight. Hopefully, tomorrow's passenger flight will yield our missing dairy products.
Top Tip from Today: After sewing on sponsor patches, AJ suggests that Polar Explorers should remember their home economics lessons. Picture: Darcy, Eric and AJ sewing Bing, Terramar and University of Plymouth patches on expedition clothing!
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
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