The Arctic - Pole to Pole - page 28

I've said so many prayers since we set out. I say them when I'm on
the ice, and I say them in my sleeping bag at day's end.
aPril 21
I got a message telling me that the Canadian Air Force was coming our
way as part of a search and rescue exercise. It was fantastic: our first
connection with Canada. Although we are still 500 kilometres away
from Ward Hunt Island, the Canadian territory somehow feels real and
more attainable to me now. The plane buzzed us five times and on the
last occasion swooped down so low I could see the pilot's face.
Clark reveres the wild. To him, this is a great adventure, some-
thing he will be proud to talk about for the rest of his life. I suppose
that's the difference really: I have no time or emotions to enjoy the
landscape. I just want to conquer it and get to Canada. The pressure
of deadlines and my own and others' expectations make it so much
harder, but that's my life.
Buzze d by the C anad ian a ir Fo rce.