Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
tents, we can hear the groaning and the sheering of huge slabs of ice
forcing their way through the snow-covered ground, buckling under
the pressure from currents and wind more than 500 kilometres away.
I am bitterly disappointed at the distances we are covering each
day. If we do more than 20 kilometres, Eric classes it as a good day, but
I know we can go much faster and further each day. Eric insists on tak-
ing so many breaks. He is used to guiding tourists and adventurers on
these trips, not ultra-athletes with a schedule to meet. I feel so terribly
frustrated—and cold. Our clothing is covered in ice within minutes of
leaving the tent each day, and I spend most of my energy just trying to
stay warm at the slow pace.
It is an ongoing battle of wills between Eric and me. I have pleaded
with him to make sure we cover the distance required before we take
all these breaks. I keep suggesting to him that we should use the GPS
at the end of the day to tell us how far we've travelled, and if we're short
by 500 metres or a kilometre, then let's have a quick snack and push on
and finish the day's distance. He structures our day around the time
we have spent out, while I'm more concerned with the distance we've
covered. I believe that if we finish a day's trek pleased that we have met
our goal, then we will feel better disposed to get up and at it again the
following day. Eric does not agree.
During one of our arguments, Eric said, 'Pat, you know nothing
about the North Pole!'
I replied, 'No, Eric, I don't, and that's on purpose. All I need to
know is what discomfort and pain I can put up with and travel the
distance each day that I must to meet my goal. I don't need to dwell on
what can go wrong.'
Eric is keen that I use him to guide me at the South Pole, and he's
a wonderful guide. Many have tried to do what we are doing on the ice
and failed. But if he joins me down south, I've decided that it will be on
my terms: we'll move fast, and the camera crew will travel in skidoos.
He'll do what I want him to do, rather than the other way around. I
think by now he knows the strength of my will and my ability to tough
out the worst conditions. Once, I told him that if the equipment and
the ski bindings kept breaking I was prepared to complete the trek in
bare feet if I had to, with or without him. He knew I was exaggerating,
but I think I left him in no doubt about my determination.
