March 28, 2018
Let's See What Happens
In traveling around the world on various expeditions and adventures, I have become keenly aware of the infrastructure and regulations that keep daily life moving forward. In the US, there are a very specific set of guidelines that dictate daily life. Driving, flying, working, starting a new business, and much more, there are little, if any, gray areas within the systems and rules. In other countries, that isn't always the case. While there are many similar, if not identical, laws the interpretation of those laws, and more important, the paths around are infinitely more diverse.
When we traveled through Russia in 2005 for the start of our first attempt at reaching the North Pole in Summer, I was surprised after landing in Moscow when were ushered through (past) customs and immigration to a truck parked in the front of the airport packed with all our expedition gear (21 bags. Or was it 22? I can't remember exactly). Needless to say, that type of 'service' could never happen in the states. The process is the process no matter what.
Yesterday, I was informed that the 2018 Barneo / North Pole season may be cancelled. Already in Longyearbyen, my heart sank as I had already spent considerable money and resources just getting here. And then there were my Last Degree North Pole clients: Jaco, David, Neil and Vivian. Not only is this trip was a huge investment for them as well, but each are working on their own adventure goals for which this expedition was an integral component. Several are hoping to complete the 'Adventurer's Grand Slam' which is climbing the Seven Summits (the highest point on each continent) and skiing the 'Last Degree' to both the South and North Poles.
Still, there is a Zen-like patience that this type of travel forces you to adopt. More times than I can count, I've been in similar situations with last-minute changes in plans or logistics due to weather, permits, politics and other random acts of randomness.
On my 2014 North Pole expedition, the trip was so difficult and constantly changing that we were never able to make a concrete plan for the entire journey. Instead, we set short-term goals then made new plans incrementally along the way. Our motto became, 'let's just go up there and see what happens'. It was a strategy that proved successful eventually - as well as totally stressful - but we didn't have any other choice. Since then, no one has yet to complete a full traverse of the Arctic Ocean from land to the North Pole. How come that's not a bigger story? (more on that at another time).
In any event, here I am in Longyearbyen. Today, I was informed that the necessary permits to get helicopters to fly to Barneo were able to go through and the 2018 season would be salvaged. However, the drift camp of Barneo won't be set up until mid April. In May, I am guiding a Greenland traverse so being away from my family for an extra two weeks right now is a bit tough. Therefore, I'll finish my training with Vivian and figure out my next steps. My kids are so much fun now, I hate being gone. But, I am also in the process of scouting some future adventures for clients - both Fat Biking and polar-style expeditions and the extra time could be beneficial for the 'guiding' side of my business.
Of course, I hesitate to write too much now as two weeks is a long ways away and this is the Arctic where things are constantly changing. I have a plan for the next few days, but after that, let's just see what happens.
Image: Yield...
When we traveled through Russia in 2005 for the start of our first attempt at reaching the North Pole in Summer, I was surprised after landing in Moscow when were ushered through (past) customs and immigration to a truck parked in the front of the airport packed with all our expedition gear (21 bags. Or was it 22? I can't remember exactly). Needless to say, that type of 'service' could never happen in the states. The process is the process no matter what.
Yesterday, I was informed that the 2018 Barneo / North Pole season may be cancelled. Already in Longyearbyen, my heart sank as I had already spent considerable money and resources just getting here. And then there were my Last Degree North Pole clients: Jaco, David, Neil and Vivian. Not only is this trip was a huge investment for them as well, but each are working on their own adventure goals for which this expedition was an integral component. Several are hoping to complete the 'Adventurer's Grand Slam' which is climbing the Seven Summits (the highest point on each continent) and skiing the 'Last Degree' to both the South and North Poles.
Still, there is a Zen-like patience that this type of travel forces you to adopt. More times than I can count, I've been in similar situations with last-minute changes in plans or logistics due to weather, permits, politics and other random acts of randomness.
On my 2014 North Pole expedition, the trip was so difficult and constantly changing that we were never able to make a concrete plan for the entire journey. Instead, we set short-term goals then made new plans incrementally along the way. Our motto became, 'let's just go up there and see what happens'. It was a strategy that proved successful eventually - as well as totally stressful - but we didn't have any other choice. Since then, no one has yet to complete a full traverse of the Arctic Ocean from land to the North Pole. How come that's not a bigger story? (more on that at another time).
In any event, here I am in Longyearbyen. Today, I was informed that the necessary permits to get helicopters to fly to Barneo were able to go through and the 2018 season would be salvaged. However, the drift camp of Barneo won't be set up until mid April. In May, I am guiding a Greenland traverse so being away from my family for an extra two weeks right now is a bit tough. Therefore, I'll finish my training with Vivian and figure out my next steps. My kids are so much fun now, I hate being gone. But, I am also in the process of scouting some future adventures for clients - both Fat Biking and polar-style expeditions and the extra time could be beneficial for the 'guiding' side of my business.
Of course, I hesitate to write too much now as two weeks is a long ways away and this is the Arctic where things are constantly changing. I have a plan for the next few days, but after that, let's just see what happens.
Image: Yield...