Re-position the team for a new start…
Published on 15.11.2011 - Antarctic Ice Expedition
Both men had to take a difficult decision
© Expedition website
Dixie had to take a difficult decision yesterday as the weather conditions were not safe enough for the team : tandem will go back by air to Novo and choose a new starting point.
The recap of week two of the Antarctic ICE Expedition was merciless : Dixie reported a grand total of 27 kilometers of progress for the week, with a paltry and optimistic 4 km/day average. Advancement has been accomplished only through double-team portage and Dixie admitted that he has never encountered such mystifying conditions in Antarctica.
Result : on 15 November, he took the decision to accept to be picked up by a flight back to the ALCI Airbase and re-commence the expedition from a new starting position.
Excerpts : "... Dixie's vision on this project is both goal-oriented and safety-driven and he accepts that the chosen drop-off point in unknown territory has compromised the goal. He has soundly chosen to stop their nonsensical progress in an area that is growing increasingly dangerous for the team. Their ability to advance without physical risk has now approached the "red-line" and he has wisely and expediently decided to re-position the team for a new start.
Sam wrote: "This first week has been great because we have adapted to altitude and will not lose that physicality during the re-positioning. All of our gear has been tested and we are routined in its operation. We have witnessed the fruits of our preparation, both physically and mentally, and we feel stronger than ever."
Let's only hope that the new position choosen will help them to take a better start.
