Every once in a while, AJ will ask my opinion on the safety of a certain section of ice. I have two basic answers. 'Yes, but go out there and see.' Or, 'No, but go out there and see.' Determining the crossibilty of an unstable piece of ice is part science, part art and part witch craft. Actually getting across is all the above plus a lot trail hardened nerve, luck, some grisel and the big mo (momentum).

A cold and windy day on the Arctic Ocean had us adding an extra layer of Terramar. Brrrr. We had gotten used to the warmish -20's. Luckily, the wind was from the south southwest and wasn't blowing all that cold in our faces. We had hoped that the low temperature and wind would freeze some of the open and thin ice leads, but it is obvious we are fighting a loosing battle. With summer on its way and 24 hours of sunlight, any water is absorbing heat As an aside, this is one of the feedback loops that is accelerating sea ice melt. We had high hopes for the day after crossing a 30 meter wide lead that was 'safe'.

That sinking feeling... That's one of us on a piece of ice. Going across sections of brash ice, open seams and overlapping thin slabs is tricky business. The ice is generally very rubbery and once fractured is completely impassible. The bigger chunks are nice because they at least float - it might be under water with your weight on it, but its still floating. Of course, that's just one person crossing. We have to get three across and our heavy sleds.

Darcy stepped gingerly out at one section gave the ice a poke with his pole, then took another step at which point things started collapsing underneath. For a split second he hesitated (a very dangerous thing) then lunged forward to safety (relative). However, there was now an open gap of water where he had just crossed. Just to the left, there was a pier of rafted two inch slabs where AJ and I might cross. We positioned the sleds for a 'long line' manuever - where we unhook one side of our tug line from our Granite Gear harness and attach it to the sleds effectively doubling the length of the rope.

I made it across but barely. I probably shouldn't have crossed but without another visible option my motivation to be on the other side increased substantially. Now AJ's turn.

Later he said it would have made a good cartoon. Darcy with his skis off had a foot go through. Me standing on ice that was sinking and water rushing over my skis. Both of us imploring to, 'cross... it's safe.'

Unfortunately, the ice was too soft and AJ had to find another spot to cross. Just one of our many daily adventures.

Image: Our cozy home, the Sierra Designs Polar Tunnel tent (that I call 'The Big Kev') for the night in aa windy camp while flying our team Bing flag.

The Save the Poles expedition is sponsored by Bing with major support from the University of Plymouth, Terramar, Seventh Generation, Goal0, Atlas, Sierra Designs and Optic Nerve.

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/

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