Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Making the transition from the ice to the road will take a while.
I've been told that strange things could happen to me in this period.
Today was hot, and the sky a brilliant blue. The temperature rapidly
climbed to 30 degrees Celsius. Just nine days ago, I was plodding over
the ice in temperatures of -30. That's a difference of 60 degrees in just
over a week! My body has been rebelling, with my blood pressure soar-
ing and my veins like thick red ropes. My skin still stings from frostbite,
and there is no sign of a return to feeling in my fingers. Making things
worse is that I am being attacked continually by the biggest, nastiest
mosquitoes I've ever seen.
The daily distance we covered on the ice towards the end of the
North Pole sector was 20 kilometres, whereas now I'm doing 80 kilo-
metres a day, and I'll be increasing that to 85. The other major difference
is my footwear: on the ice, I was wearing boots and snowshoes, which
shortened the length of my calf muscles, so I have to take it easy these
first few days before they lengthen again, or I'll risk tearing a tendon,
which could end my quest.
The food, of course, is way better.
