Expedition Time 44:06:00:00

days : hours : minutes : seconds

Georgie(who is this guy?)

South Pole solo

Half Way At Last!

Camp:  85° 12’ 142” South   81° 28’ 335” West
Distance: 15.4 nautical miles (28.5 km)
Time:  9.5 hours
Weather:  whiteout this morning then overcast
Snow:  like trying to ski on mash potato

Ok I have finally made it to half way.  It has taken a lot longer than I hoped due to the snow dumped on route and it has been frustrating because of this but it just goes to prove who’s in charge out here.

I have arrived in pretty good shape apart from the wear and tear you would expect from skiing 10 hours a day 26 days in a row.

It is a huge psychological boost to have the odometer clicking down from here.

I can’t see any significant improvement in snow conditions, I just have to work on averaging 15 nautical miles per day from here to the pole (although it is likely to be less tomorrow due to the forecasted 30 knot head winds all day.)

Mentally I am doing just fine.  My friend Ben, the giant tree frog that joins me for tea and biscuits every night and also acts as my psychologist, just mentioned to me how well I was holding up.

Song of the Day: Michael Jackson  “Ben”   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFPgLSuOP_s

Hello to Chloe’s class at EPS and everyone else at school following me.

Mark ‘Georgie’ George

categories: South Pole Solo

Comments

  1. Russell Dec 21, 2011

    I hope your friend Ben is also good at fixing things- i would have loved to have been a little penguin watching you fix the tent pole and ski tip.

  2. Ridgy Dec 21, 2011

    Well done Champ. A significant milestone. Soldier on. Cheers. Ridgy.

  3. Bill O'Kane Dec 21, 2011

    Well done Mark – Great effort.

  4. Peter j Dec 21, 2011

    hang in there mark great following your journey

  5. Shark Dec 21, 2011

    great work mate, nice to know a frog has become your mentor. keep up the pace and you’ll be there in no time. cheers shark

  6. TG & Jan Dec 21, 2011

    Hi Mg, you have done bonza and we can’t wait to count down the days until you get there and back. Our frog Ben told us that the weather would improve for you this week. Now when you get there, just say cheers and grab a cab back to Hercules Inlet; shouldn’t cost much! Love you heaps, take care, Jan & TG

  7. Heather Eustace Dec 22, 2011

    WEll done on reaching the half way Mark. Eagerly await the next installment of your journey each day.

  8. lmg Dec 22, 2011

    yahoo bro’ great news.Meanwhile I’ve been in training for the great pork crackle challenge I read about on your blog.I will be taking your present to christmas day and Harry,Mitch and Chloe can accept it on your behalf.Nothing seems to bypass the Salvo’s at gift time.Very excited re ;
    the great news of halfway milestone.much love to you and ben.Lisa xxx

  9. matthew amos Dec 22, 2011

    Well done!

  10. Tezza Dec 22, 2011

    Wow, that’s a lot of skiing 10hrs,26 days keep up the great work. maybe the frog can help out at tigerland next year, he obviously has talent. ps Matilda has her first injury, broke her arm for xmas. love to you and thinking of you, Nic and the kids, the prestons

  11. Steve Walton Dec 23, 2011

    Well done. I’m wheelchair bound…thanks for letting me journey with you.

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