South Pole solo
Walking On The Moon
December
3
Camp Is at South 81 05. 87 (made my first degree) west 80 00.094
Distance 7.15 hard sought nautical miles
Time: 8 hours
Weather: complete whiteout
Snow: Like dairy bell icecream – just soft!!
The day felt like walking on the moon all day – in slow motion.
It was my first whiteout, which I was expecting and didn’t freak out but they are bizarre. You can’t see anything past 2 metres around you.
It is easy to get disorientated about which way is forwards, backwards, sideways or downwards. Your spend all day staring at the compass which is suspended in a bracket in front of my chest – normally you come to large sastrugi and you go around it, here you have to go straight through everything and have to be very very careful and certainly will fall if you don’t concentrate.
The snow fell all day and it felt like I was dragging an anchor as the sled sunk into the soft snow far deeper than on other days.
I have no idea where I have camped but it is quiet now as the snow falling on the tent has lessened.
I am hoping it is not a complete whiteout tomorrow, it very well could be the same again.
I just called in to ALE to touch base and had the pleasure of chatting to Greg Mortimer in the comm’s room. I had the pleasure of meeting Greg earlier this year at Union Glacier and was enthralled by his talks – I encourage you to google him to learn more as he is a truly remarkable man.
Song of the Day is Walking on the Moon by the Police
And to my nephews, Tom you can play the drums to this song and James, air guitar alongside him. Be good boys.
Keep well everyone
Mark ‘Georgie’ George
categories: South Pole Solo
Comments
Hi uncle Mark we saw newspaper article so wetook it to school,If you have not heard Richmond tigers draft picks are Brandon Ellis, Todd Elton, Matthew arnot. The ice cream sounds yum!
From James
Be brave champ. Cheers ridgy
I had a similar experience last Friday night at Gary’s birthday party-the going sounds tough though -the other morning I woke up and thought wow here I am in bed while my brother is out there in sub zero conditions.Unbelievable as dad would say.family news-dad went on annual fishing expedition.Must have seen a mighty fine trout as he walked into creek with iPhone .i gather you didn’t get any messages from him this last week.
By the way didn’t mean to upset you with mention of a bed.It was actually very uncomfortable.well it seems weather conditions are poor so as they say there’s only one way up.And on behalf of your wife and family don’t start getting any wise ideas about walking on the moon!
Tom on sleepover so signing off from James and I love Lisa xxx
James and I are anxious as our comments are in nowhere land…we both got on wrote long message.will speak to back up team in morning
Love you James Tom and Lisa xxx
Following each & every step of your incredible journey Mark!
With love, Great admiration & deep respect x
I just found your blog and I’m completely impressed with what you are doing. I just want to send you best wishes and I hope the weather doesn’t get too bad
Hi MG, back from fishing trip; found some new “hot spots” for when you get back. Fished like an old chook last day up the Buckland; dropped 3 biggies on a royal wulff in an hour, would have released them though! This whiteout’s a bit of a bummer, if it hasn’t gone yet it will be very soon coz jan’s gone to church this morning to pray for it to go. Plenty people saying prayers for you too. Gerald, Peter S., Baz, Tony B., Angry & Pal all send best wishes. God speed you there, back and home again asap, Love, TG & Jan.
Hi Georgie,
Been following your journey and Fuzz and Chris keep me updated. Just feel compelled to write and wish you all the luck in the world and stay safe. Warrnambool will be pretty tame after this latest adventure. love alma and graeme
Hi Georgie,
Truly remarkable journey, thinking of you often keep safe.
with lots of love Belle xx
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