The first night out

Jules and I are currently sat out on the ice in the tent on our first overnighter. This will allow us to check our admin, work out if the communication system works and generally start getting used to life in the tent.

Our morning was spent discussing the merits of various bits of clothing and what we should pack (but it looks like I am not going to take my down jacket and rely on the synthetic jacket and fleece). But sat here now chilling off, that decision may be revisited.

We packed all our pulks, using black waterproof bags full of frozen water as weight and set out across the bay again. The pulks moved easily considering we were pulling over 100kg, but we still need to slow down and sweat less, but this may be a hard lesson to learn. As we skied along we came across a scene of utter devistation, we assume that a polar bear had caught a seal - the bear prints were a lot largerthan those we saw yesterdayand there appeared to be cub prints tagging alongside.

We are now sat in the tent about to eat, the temperature outside is about -35, whilst inside its -15; oh what fun! Well that was a rushed meal, and looking around the tent all I can see is steam and drying gloves, hats and neck ruffs. The best bit is that we are goung to operate a cold tent which means that we won't bring in our sleeping bags until the tent has cooled down - this helps keep condensation out of the bags. But it means we have to get uncomfortable first! But our sleeping system will be the subject of another blog.

Oh well, things to do! And time to get cold.

Update sent thanks to Iridium..