Day 33: An important day....I can now 'feel' the POLE!
South Pole: Solo but Not Alone
Howard Fairbank
Sun 25 Dec 2011 02:04
Not far now: just under 70km to go now....after a big day today.
Elevation: 2770 metres.
I needed today to go the way it did as yesterday I felt I was close, but not close enough, and the uncertainty of the duration of the storm was a concern. Well I woke to a ski-able day, but the wind and whiteout only 'left' about 4am, so it was grey and not totally convincing that it had gone 'for good'. Excitedly I left without debate, and soon I was in strong tailwind conditions, sun out, and blue sky ahead but dense grey cloud behind..so I just looked ahead! It was so warm with the tailwind, for the first time on this expedition I could remove my head and face gear...quite a strange feeling! I also took my ski goggles off, as they were fogging up in the warmth..replaced them with sunglasses, so almost looked like a tourist! Within hours things changed as the cloud caught up with me, and visibility dropped to almost zero, but with the 5hr mark (half day) showing 19.5km, there was no ways I was not having a 'big day' today... It also looked temporary so I hung in for two hours before things improved. Wind went more side on, and things got much colder. It was a great skiing surface, and with my light sled the pace was good. I topped 3.95km for one hour stretch..it was very enjoyable at times, like somedays when you just have a great run or cycle etc, I had a few hours today like that....and for the first time I had no foot pain at all...hmmm!
Anyway it's getting real close now, and I even spent a few hours today reminiscing about the whole experience, how amazing it's been, and how much I have grown as far as being self sufficient on the ice. I went back to the airplane drop off and how apprehensive I was..The power of the adventure journey.... Hey, but it's not over yet! Probably 27th now, but not tempting fate!
I'm really knackered tonight, so will end here, but to say:
Happy Christmas to all of you who celebrate, I hope you have a wonderful day! I'll be having my Christmas 'feast' tomorrow night!
Bye