92.5 kilometres in 6 days
Published on 20.11.2008 - SoloAntarctica
Mark Langridge is not mucking about when it comes to the progress he is making on his expedition: he knows that if he is going to succeed with his solo return trek, he will have to keep up a certain pace, even if he has to keep on skiing while the other expeditions are tucked up snugly in their tents.
Blizzards and yet more blizzards... It's a word that will be etched on the memory of every Antarctic expedition at the beginning of this season. In the end, though, while the wind may not be hampering the groups only going as far as the South Pole too much, it is playing a very important part in Mark Langridge's schedule.
To recap, 15th November was a "black" day for all of the expeditions on their way to the South Pole, because they had to spend the entire time shut away in their tents on account of the white-out conditions that prevented any progress (they might have called it a "white" day, of course!).
Everyone except for Mark Langridge on his solo trek, because on that particular day Mark had no intention of halting his progress. Having packed his tent away, he managed to cover another 15.7 kilometres despite the white-out. Talk about determined! Of course, if he wants to complete his trip from Patriot Hills to the South Pole and back, he can't afford to hang about along the way.
For the time being, though, given the rugged terrain, the many sastruggis in his way and the weight of his sledge, Mark is only able to ski for eight and a half hours a day. On 19th November, day 9 of his trip, his HQ reported that he had covered 92.5 kilometres during the first six days of his trek.
