Windswept
Friday, December 5, 2008 at 05:19AM We have been hampered by the strong winds today, which have stopped us getting into the high mountains. The winds race from the South Pole outwards and when they race you really know about it.
Instead though we put in the route off the ice shelf and used the portaledges as a staging post. It was pretty hairy in the high winds trying to lower these hanging bivouacs into position and they were being buffeted violently against the ice face. Dave and I finally managed to abseil down to the bivouacs whilst Mick and Gilo stayed up at the top making sure the ice screws and ice stakes were holding firm as our lives were depending on them. Far below us all the water was frozen, but we are hopeful of finding part of a big coastal lake that is defrosting, which will allow us to get the jetski and inflatable into action. Now we have got that route set up, the next stage is to lower them down the overhanging ice.
If the winds abate we will grab our opportunity and move into the high mountains tomorrow. If not we’ll start this tricky procedure of getting the jetski and inflatable down to the water.
All of us feel pretty windswept, but we have been really well looked after by our logistics guys back at the main basecamp. We are also holding out for calm winds to do some more flying of the electric paramotors – which is just going to be the coolest way to move around not only here at the coast but also in the mountains.
The guys did brilliantly today, working on various precarious and very exposed bullet hard ice hundreds of feet up this sheer wall.
The Russian scientists have got wind of everything that we are up to, which has apparently confirmed in their minds, that the Brits are mad “nobody takes a jetski to Antarctica or tries to rest on a vertical ice edge!”
Bear x
Reader Comments (13)
well done guys keep at it
You guys rock. Thanks for the updates.
Bear & co.you are amazing.
Reading your diary it`s like that your on summer hollidays.I admire your will to live and work in such weather conditions.The truth is,the world need "mad"guys like you ."It`s a tough job but somebody`s gotta do it."
So,I wish you good luck,good weather and good whatewer you need.
Can you somehow tether the jetskis and inflatable to the shore to explore by foot or is it all sheer ice walls abutting the wished for open water; or even to get onto the frozen lake? Be safe guys. Let's pray the winds calm down for you.
Thank you for taking the time out to write here and share this adventure. What an amazing experience for some amazing people. God bless and return home safe. We will follow your progress.
alright guys! you're gonna do it baby. Good luck to all of you.
Hi to all the team,
I hope you are all okay and we are all thinking of you every day,
love from Jane, Ella, Tess and Daisy x
I hope the wind died down and you were able to get into the mountains. It would be nice to be able to name the peak. I hope you are all safe and doing well this evening. I think of you as we drink our hot chocolate so stay warm! Hugs to you all and your families!
Hi Bear and friends!
I heard about your accident this morning when I woke up (we live in Florida so got the news a bit late)... I'm hoping your injury isn't going to prevent you from continuing your much needed work and that the recuperation time coincides nicely with spending time at home with your wife, expecting your newest arrival.
I'm wishing you well and sending you positive healing thoughts and wishes for a quick turn-around for you and the crew. Is the whole venture on hold now or are they going to try to finish without you? Or are you going back to finish it yourself, which would hardly surprise me?
You are an incredible inspiration to me and especially to our 10-year-old son, Dylan. He's watched virtually every show!
Anyway, all the best from our hearts to yours!!!! Take care of that shoulder!
Kelly
liltggr@gmail.com
Dear Bear,
I was upset to hear of your injury, and very grateful that you are alive. I know that angels are watching over you. Lots of love and wishes for a good recovery are sent your way.
Hi Bear & team,
just learned about your shoulder injury..
hope you will heal fast and get back to finish this daring expedition .. ;-)
hello to whole team form Slovakia
xx
Bear,
Sorry to hear of your accident. My wife and I have become big fans over the last couple of years. I heard the news just a few minutes ago and logged on to your blog spot. We both wish you a speedy recovery because as much as we would like you to get back out there filming, you're needed at home(with the new arrival). Because a hurt shoulder isn't bad compared to dealing with a sleep deprived wife with three kids and you aren't able to help out. I don't care if you can survive in some remote jungle, That would be a REAL test! You could film it and call it Man vs. Wife if you're not able to change diapers due to your shoulder. :0) All joking aside, Best wishes and to a speedy recovery.
Nick
Get well soon, I hope your injury is not too serious.