First depot reached
Published on 16.11.2011 - South Pole 1911-2011 NPI
249 km behind Amundsen's schedule
© Norwegian Polar Institute
The guys of the South Pole 1911-2011 Centenray Expedition are more lucky than the expeditioners being on the Hercules Inlet - South Pole trek : the sun shines almost every day.
Except for the 13 November, a day during witch the team has been stopped by the heavy catabatic winds, the Norwegian team has been very lucky with the weather so far : "Today we had a fresh breeze from guess which quarter… the south! But with our necks bent and our heads bowed, we put in 32 km. Snow conditions were good. And the sun continues to shine, for the 15th day in a row now." (From the 15 Noevember dispatch).
Although the expedition is 249 km behind Amundsen's schedule (this is only due to a late start), the adventure is unfolding smoothly. On 14 November, the Norwegians reached their first food and supply depot they had put en route when they flew from Union Glacier to the Bay of Whales. "Yesterday’s wind let up enough for us to continue and after a short stint of skiing we arrived at the depot. Here we are enjoying such luxuries as home-made cakes from Vegard’s daughters in Maridalen, and ice cream (!) from Chile. Our Primus stove is running on overtime and we’re relaxing." (From 14 November update).
Their last position (on 158 November) : Position: S 82 46.792, W 165 23.918 / Temperature: -14 °C / Wind: 7–9 m/s from the south / Distance traversed: 32 km / Distance behind Amundsen: 249 km. Not a bad result indeed !
