Temperatures dropping
arctic-mummy
Fri 1 Apr 2011 13:51
Yesterday we spent most the morning stripping down the stoves, learning how to mend them for when we are out in the field. They are multifuel stoves, we are using white parafin. It was another glorious day, so in the afternoon, we put the skis on, attached the lightly weighted pulks (about a third of the weight we will be pulling!) and went out for 3 hours. I am definitely improving, and finding better technique ... I managed not to fall over, but it was a bit hairy going down the small inclines - luckily we don't get many of these until the last leg!
We camped out again, cooking our supper and breakfasts in the tent. No cooking for 5 weeks - what a treat! Rob is our tent chef. The stoves are very noisey, so you have to shout a little. We have been told, that with both stoves going, the tent temperature gets up to +20 deg?? we did not manage to get it above about -5 deg last night. But actually it did not feel chilly! The outside temperature was -33 deg!
Lucy and I had a go at using the sheewees in the tent before bunkering down, but failed miserably!
I slept quite well, although I did have an extra layre on. When we woke up, there was lots of ice on the inside of the tents ... we tried scarping this off with the pab lids, but put more over the sleeping bags than out through the door - I think we will try a different technique tomorrow morning!
The re-hydrated food is ok, but I am struggling with the volume. I am sure once we are out in the race and walking all day, I will be wolfing it all down! At the moment, Lusy is enjoying finishing mine!
Gun handling & navigation today - then moving base camp three miles away, for our next night out!
