It was that special day of the week where we get to sleep in and then ski for half a day. There is no question that we were all tired. We have spent the past week coming up, over and through the last of the Thiels. It was one of the major cruxes of our journey.

Our final crux (and the hardest part of the expedition) is yet to come: the polar plateau. From here to there we have over 2,000 feet of climbing, increased sastrugi, slow dry snow and the added effect of altitude (the atmosphere is thinner at the poles and the 9,000 foot plateau feels more like 14,000 feet to us). Therefore, our short rest today was even more important - storing energy and recuperating for our final push.

However, after breakfast it was clearly evident that no one was in a rush to get out and start skiing. It didn't help our cause that the wind picked up - ending completely any idea of another calm day.

Then, we are skiing. A smile stretches across my face. It feels good to be moving. The snow is flat and the sky is blue. There are just enough drifts to make navigation easy so I let my mind wander. I finger through my mental files trying to find a good memory to take out. Hawaii? Mountain biking? Home? I settle on my first days of dog sledding, double check my bearing, and begin reminiscening.

Bill passes the time by listening to the sounds and silence, switching off and letting his mind wander. 'I spend a lot of time reflecting on life,' he added. Dongsheng takes a more active role in whiling away the hours. 'I count steps,' he said. 'I used to think about business,' he added. 'But now I let my mind wander... And sometimes interview myself.'

One interesting side note (at least I think it's interesting) I was lying in my sleeping bag listening to the total quiet of Antarctica - there was absolutely no wind. Very unusual. Then, I heard a sound off in the distance. At first , I thought it might be an ALE plane flying over, but it seemed like a softer noise than a plane would make. As I listened, the sound grew louder and the tent began to gently rustle. It was the wind. In another minute or so everything was quiet again and the small swirl of wind was back on its way - where ever that might have been. Thinking whatever thoughts wind might think.

Image: Skiiing on the thin layer between ice and sky.

Remember, it's cool to be cold. Save the Poles. Save the planet.

For more information, please visit www.ericlarsenexplore.com

For information about guided Antarctic expeditions, please visit http://www.antarctic-logistics.com/

For information about Bill Hanlon's foundation, please visit www.basichealthfoundation.org

For media inquiries, please contact lora@screamagency.com

For technical inquires, please contact webexpeditions.net