February 13, Grand Marais, Minn.
We're just two average guys from northern Minnesota trying to make our way across 1,250 miles of shifting sea ice and open ocean. Last year, when we took this picture, we began to wonder: are we tough enough?
The answer is a resounding yes. We are tough enough and here's why. We've been planning and preparing (and attempting) to cross the Arctic Ocean for over three years. Every detail of the crossing from breakfast to ski skins to ice conditions has been evaluated and reevaluated.
We've also planned to avoid the heartbreak of last year. Leaving earlier and possibly further east should eliminate the continuous treadmill of backward drift that we experienced last year. New drysuits will make swimming leads a bit easier as well.
Our training is in full swing as well. With help and guidance from Dr. Kristen Dieffenbach, our bodies are nearing peak condition. And if you would like to see us training, check out the Milwauke Journal-Sentinel's article at http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=401050
February 3, Grand Marais, Minn.
You might think that sitting in an office and working on the computer is not the kind of training critical to Arctic Explorers, but then again, we're not your typical explorers. We like our new Xvests so much that it seems like everything we do is a training for the Arctic Ocean. even checking E-mail?!?
Using the 40-pound form-fitting weighted vests are a welcome change from backpacks full of bricks and sand bags. We are now able to easily add another degree of difficulty to our training with little effort or inconvenience. The Xvests pack considerably easier than the bricks as well, and training will be much simpler now.
But training is not the only thing that is occupying our time. There is the overwhelming amount of office work and fundraising. Then, there are the talks at colleges and schools. We're not complaining, but the idea of being on the Arctic Ocean hauling a 350-pound canoe/sled sounds almost relaxing right now.
January 3, Grand Marais, Minn
Happy New Year! 2006 - this, we are confident, is our year. Early reports indicate a colder than normal weather pattern hovering over Siberia and Cape Arctichesky which bodes well for our departure in April.
In Minnesota, however, conditions have been uncannily spring-like. A few December blizzards have left a thick carpet of snow. Unfortunately, air temperatures continue to dip only a few degrees below freezing.
In fact on a 25 kilometer training session today, it actually rained !?! We are definitely not two to complain, but rain in January? We want some cold. Regardless, the ski trails are well groomed and our training is in full swing.
December 15, Grand Marais
The latest weather reports from the North Shore of Minnesota list snow accumulations of over 16" in some locations. What more could two Arctic Explorers ask for?
Well, not to beg the question, but favorable drift on the Arctic Ocean off the coast of Siberia would be nice. But realistically, snow and cold in northern Minnesota is a close second. Time to put the tires away.
With 2006 rapidly approaching, we are in the full expedition swing. Training, equipment decisions and logistics are the most common dialogue. We have been here before, of course, but this year it seems both more calm and more intense.
Remember to keep checking back for weekly updates prior to our departure and daily updates while we're on the actual expedition. This year we will also add audio updates each day from the trail.
November 29, Grand Marais, Minn.
Canada is hosting the first meeting of the Parties involved in the Kyoto Protocol in Montreal, Quebec this week.
The conference is an historic event. Not only will the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) be meeting for the 11th time, but 2005 also marks the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol. At Montreal, the first ever meeting of the Parties to the Protocol (MOP) will be held parallel to the Conference of the Parties to the Convention (COP). The United Nations Climate Change Conference is set to be the largest intergovernmental climate conference since the Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997.
November 17, Grand Marais, Minn.
It has been a warm fall, unusually so, and we've been wondering if winter would ever arrive on the North Shore. Well, yesterday it happened - our first real snowstorm of the year.
It has been a busy fall for us. We were very honored to be the guest speakers for the Friends of the Boundary Waters. It was great to be able to tell the One World story. However, it soon became apparent to us both that the hardship and misery from the Arctic Ocean are in the past. We've found ourselves only remembering the good times. Perhaps that's why we're going back in 2006. Still, we're both up to the challenge and looking forward to the 'daily grind.'
Also, for those coming to northern Minnesota this weekend, be sure to stop at the North House Folk School for the Winterers Gathering with a special One World presentation on Friday night. Check out www.northhouse.org for more information.
November 1, Grand Marais, Minn.
While Lonnie may look a bit like a claymation figure from the '70s, he's actually trying the team's new Helly Hansen dry suit on for size. Gumby would be proud with the fit.
Upon returning from our 2005 attempt, we spent time poring over our equipment and its functionality on the expedition. Without fail, nearly all of our equipment choices were spot on with two notable exceptions: dry suits and gloves. The gloves were obvious replacement items. One of the pairs we took nearly fell apart on our hands. The dry suits performed functionally without fail; however, we simply wanted something that could be put on over our boots.
The Helly Hansen dry suits fit on over all our clothes and boots. They will be used to swim leads or break semi-frozen ice. We will add Kokatat dry bibs to our equipment list as well to cope with constantly falling through the ice. Of course, the new dry suits also make great Halloween costumes.
