April 19, Grand Marais
Ann Possis is really racking up the frequent flyer miles lately. Her newest adventure finds her flying the friendly skies on her way to the Big Apple - New York, New York. But why send the 'Possinator' to the 'City that Never Sleeps' when the expedition departure is looming so near and we need her in Grand Marais? It's simple really: official OWE business.
Greenpeace Executive Director John Passacantando will lead a panel of cutting-edge filmmakers and activists in a conversation about the world's greatest ecological threat. Documentary filmmaker Judith Helfand will show sneak previews from her
film-in-progress "Melting Planet" about global warming and human nature. Most importantly, Ann Possis, will share how two intrepid explorers (that's us), with Greenpeace, will bring real-time images of global warming straight to a worldwide audience.
Of course, Ann won't have much time for sight seeing, either. While in NYC, she will be meeting with potential sponsors as well. This week New York, next week. well actually she'll be in New York again, but we'd better save that story for a future update.
April 15, Grand Marais
As a member of the prestigious Explorers Club, Lonnie was recently awarded Flag #49 by their board of directors to take on the One World Expedition. While this may seem like a simple gesture, it is one steeped in tradition and history.
"The Explorers club flag represents an impressive history of courage and accomplishment and has been carried by many noted members on their expeditions: to carry it is an honor and a privilege. It has flown at both poles, from the highest peaks of the greatest mountain ranges and traveled to the depths of the ocean and to outer space," writes Harry Davis Brooks Chairman, Flag and Honors Committee and Explorers Club Fellow National '93.
Flag #49 has traveled to Kilimanjaro, to the Stefanson Memorial in the Canadian Arctic, the Caribbean, Okavango and in 1932 taken to North Greenland by Captain Robert Bartlett, who in the annals of polar exploration, is one of the greats.
The Arctic Museum Online writes, "Captain Bob Bartlett, shipmate and comrade of both Robert E. Peary and Donald B. MacMillan, was a steadfast and reliable member of the Arctic expeditions for which he captained the Roosevelt under the command of Peary. Bartlett himself also commanded many successful expeditions on his beloved ship the Effie M. Morrissey. Through these voyages, he contributed immensely to knowledge about the Arctic, since he placed the value of scientific research above that of pure exploration."
Next stop for Flag #49, the North Pole!
April 10, Grand Marais
We are comfortably nestled back in Grand Marais - at least for now. While we are very focused on getting through the next few weeks and our looming departure, it is hard not to remember our recent visit to Churchill.
Put simply, we had a blast. We were there for only a short while, but we were welcomed by everyone from the owners of Gypsy's restaurant and bakery to the occasional passerby. Of course, we got the usual crazy looks heading out of town with our slacs in tow.
"Do you know there are polar bears out there?" people would ask. "What are those?" others questioned.
Through it all, Claude (pictured) Daudet, owner and operator of Gyrfalcon Arctic Expeditions Co., Inc, was there for us. Even though he collapsed with severe exhaustion, flu and who knows what else, Claude helped arrange all of our Churchill logistics. And if you consider that he helped shuttle a large film crew across the sea ice for seven days, you can begin to understand his crucial role in the One World Expedition. If you're ever in Churchill, make sure you talk with Claude.
April 6, Grand Marais
While April Fools passed with little high jinx, the newest member of the One World Team arrived in Grand Marais without his bags and little fanfare. John Hoelscher, Lonnie's Greenland Expedition partner and current OWE field logistics manager, has brought his south-of-the-equator Australian drawl and extensive experience to help with the final expedition preparations.
John's knowledge is critical during this final month. First on his list is to modify all electronic gear and make sure that it can withstand the rigors of a three and a half month Arctic Ocean crossing. He will also be testing and modifying the solar panel so equipment can charge inside the tent with the panel outside in the sun.
John's lighthearted demeanor and easygoing attitude are a great boost to office life. John will travel with us to the start in Siberia where he will stay on for a few weeks to coordinate any further logistics if needed. Then, he's back to Grand Marais for a month before boarding the Arctic Sunrise, our Canadian side logistics ship.
With four of us now (Lonnie, Eric, Ann and John) in one workspace, it can be a bit crowded at times. But hey, it's still more spacious than the tent we'll be sleeping in.
April 1, San Francisco, CA
A few days and a modest 100 degree temperature change later, we are now in sunny San Fransisco. After an unventful train ride back to Winnipeg and then home to Grand Marais, we had about 36 hours to unpack, check e-mails and pack again. Our time in Churchill, it seems, now was way too short.
It was strange to be back in Minnesota with the snowdrifts much smaller than when we had left. We had only been gone for two weeks, but already spring is arriving in northern Minnesota. It even rained on Wednesday when we drove to Duluth to catch our flight west. We maximized expedition business as well with a stop at Granite Gear to talk 'spray skirt' for the slacs. No rest for the weary.
Next up, a short flight to sunny San Fransisco where we have been hitting the media with appearances on all the major networks, some radio and even Mother Jones magazine. We also received a tour of the Moscone Center in downtown that has nearly one-third of its power generated by photovoltaic cells. It was amazing to see such a dramatic display of renewable energy use.
What's next, you ask? More Minnesota time. We swear!
March 29, Button Bay
It's hard to imagine our time in Churchill has nearly come to an end. There have been so many special things about our small adventure.
First, the snow and ice conditions have been incredible. We found long stretches of smooth wind-scraped pans as well as pressured ice that tested the limits of our endurance and patience. Weather conditions proved more severe than we'll find on the actual expedition, but we were still able to accurately gauge our future clothing needs.
The Arctic is a magical place where both space and time seem to merge. The air is clean and clear and many days we struggled for hours on end trying to close in on a distant berg that initially had seemed so close. One day was much like the next: we woke up, skied, ate lunch, skied some more, then dinner and sleep - yet each day was also incredibly distinct. There was the day when Lonnie fell in, the day we laughed so hard at apparently nothing, the day when we skied freezing into the bone-chilling wind for four hours and so on for seven different days.
How could we not love this place? Well, it is the Arctic winter and we spent seven days to help prepare us for the journey of a lifetime. We will need all the magic we can muster in the weeks ahead.
March 28, Button Bay
It's spring now, but you would never guess it. The temperatures seem to have been steadily dropping here on Hudson Bay. Two days ago we traveled nearly 12 miles in sunny skies. Today, the weather is decidedly different.
Each morning seems to be an exercise in willpower. Lonnie, especially, gets extra kudos for lighting the stove - easily the worst task of the day. Getting out of the tent and packing up is not much fun either. However, once moving, we tend to warm up quickly. Of course, the trick then is to avoid sweating. To remedy this we were sometimes even skiing in just our long underwear.
Today, we had to contend with cold temperatures (around 0 F) and steady winds from the northwest. Of course, this was also the direction in which we were traveling. The problems compounded quickly. First, we need to wear enough clothes to protect us from the wind and keep warm. Then, we have to keep our faces covered to avoid frostbite, which in turn, makes it difficult to see and consequently navigate. At any rest break, we immediately have to put our warm coats on. Our bodies cool quickly and we can only stop for a few minutes before we're freezing. Spring has not quite arrived in Hudson Bay.
Then there are polar bears. Earlier in the week, Lonnie and I had a bit of a laugh. Nearly asleep, we heard a slac move outside. Then, quiet - then another noise. I yelled out and ripped the zipper open to get at the shotgun. Lonnie grabbed the flare gun.
In the end, it was just the wind. The same wind that has been making our mornings cold, our faces tighten and life generally difficult.
