Hours Traveled: 9
Miles Traveled: 13.1
Total miles traveled: 90.9
Elevation: 2400 feet
Translation from voicemail: Hi, this is team 3belowzero, day nine. Well, what a difference a day can make, yesterday was crazy windy as we said, but today Antarctica was kind to us, and it was a gentle breeze of about five miles per hour and great weather. So, we were experiencing a lot though of what is called sastrugi. Which is windblown kinda waves of snow that are kinda frozen in place. So you’re skiing over these bumps basically all day. They were smaller, well in relation to other ones we’re gonna see later, but they definitely are challenging to try to make sure you can stay up on your skis and not be jerked backwards by your sled. We were able to push out nine hours and thirteen miles. So, yeah a new record for us.
And just wanted to mention for some reason these, these voice blogs can only last three minutes. So when they cut off we apologize. We’re checking into that.
So, I wanted to answer a couple of questions. I started talking yesterday about tire pull training and how that worked. And how it simulates what we’re doing. And actually it was really, it was really good to simulate all the pulling on your back and your muscles. What we are probably kind of missing was pulling those over maybe a boulder field of rocks or something because that was so different today Overall that was really good training.
There was another question about, do we have access to weather forecasts? That was from Susan in Washington. And we actually do call in to report our position everyday. And the people that we call are able to give us a little bit of information about weather. And it’s been pretty good although they didn’t predict the big winds that we saw the other day so we can’t totally rely on it but, it’s good to hear a little report.
We also had a question about what are we reading. And actually we don’t have time to read right now, but we do have some audio books that we hope to be listening to and will report back when we actually start listening to those. We only started listening to our music a few days ago. So before we run out I just wanted to give a shout out to our son Keenan for being so strong while we are gone. We love you so much, and we think about you all the time. So, we also want to thank all of you who are continuing to listen in, and send us your comments and people that we call back in Seattle will read them to us if you comment on our blog or Facebook. Okay, thanks so much. Bye.
Hi, you two strangest people I don’t know, but follow.
You indicated earlier your trek is taking you on an oblique South by South Westerly course; a detour from an expected 180 degree due South course in order to avoid crevices. Does that mean you will be traveling thru more than one time zone? And, what is your time zone at this time? I wish you two the best of travels! Jerry Chambliss, Hot Springs, AR. (emphasize HOT, as in HOT Springs)
Jerry – thank you for your question. As you may know, technically Antarctica (and the North Pole) are in all time zones. So, we can basically chose whatever “zone” we like. We decided to keep time with UTC/GMT -3hrs – or the same time zone as for Punta Arenas, Chile
Thank you for your reply. I now have a mental picture of what “side” of the Earth you two are on. I will be following your progress every day. I read the article about your trek in the Hot Springs Sentinel Record about two weeks ago and became intrigued.
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
– Henry Stanley Haskins
Jerry Chambliss
Hot Springs, AR
Hi, you two strangest people I don’t know, but follow.
You indicated earlier your trek is taking you on an oblique South by South Westerly course; a detour from an expected 180 degree due South course in order to avoid crevices. Does that mean you will be traveling thru more than one time zone? And, what is your time zone at this time? I wish you two the best of travels! Jerry Chambliss, Hot Springs, AR. (emphasize HOT Springs)
The first thing I do each morning is check this. Glad everything is going well so far.
I didn’t know you’d get these comments – I would have said something sooner! Love getting your updates, it’s so fun to hear your voices from so farrrr awayyyyy! What amazing technology! Not as amazing as what you’re doing, though. My mom is following you, too, she’s so excited for you. You’re doing so well, it’s just incredible. And can I post a question here? I’m always thankful that you’re going to the south pole instead of the north pole, because of the polar bears. Did you consider north pole versus south pole or was the trip always about the south pole?
Have an amazing day!
Thanks so much for reaching out to us and following us on our journey! We are very glad there are not polar bears at the South Pole too. The North pole was never a serious consideration – and we agree about the added unpredictability (polar bears, shifting ice, etc). Although it is beautiful there and we can understand the allure, Antarctica was the challenge we chose to take on.
reading about your weather and slog put my morning dog walk thru Chicago snow and 8 degree temp into perspective! keep on keeping on.
Greetings! I know you by one degree of separation through Sue Mocker and I’ve really enjoyed reading the blog everyday and living vicariously through you! I was at book club earlier this week and we all talked about you and your adventures. I just wanted to pass along (like I’m sure you already know) that there’s quite a community following you and cheering you on!
Godspeed and travel safely!
Thank you so much for following us and cheering us on! It truly means a lot to us and helps inspire us to reach our goal.
I just wanted to say you guys are so courageous. I am in awe. I now feel bad for saying “It’s cold” when it is only 27degrees here…and not windy. Best wishes for a safe adventure.
Jeff Wright ultra runner here. You know me from runs in the Seattle area. Keep up the good work. I enjoy reading your post each day. Stay safe, I know you two can do this.
Thanks for the encouragement and thanks for following us! Have fun on the trails for us.
We are really enjoying listening to your updates everyday. I think it means a lot to Keenan to hear your voices!!
We love you both very very much!!!