We traveled 1.6 nautical miles today at least in our progress northward. How many miles we actually traveled - well only the ice knows.

We woke up to a gray and overcast morning and it snowed while we packed our sleds. I worried that we would be stuck in a white out all day but the sun came out and it felt at least 10 degrees warmer than yesterday when it was so cold we had to stop regularly just to warm our hands.

We managed to work our way through a huge mess of slabs, rubble, ridges and who knows what else for most of the morning. It was difficult to say the least. At one point we were maneuvering the sleds down and through a narrow ice canyon trying to lift, turn, heave and whatever else just to get through.

Luckily we have our MSR snowshoes which are crucial to our forward progress.

Backbreaking. Overwhelming.

At one point a Kenn Borek plane flew overhead and we were reminded that we still live on planet earth - although I'm not totally convinced. I feel closer to space than any form of civilization.

Its hard to get in the tent and realize how little we've traveled. And it takes all of our mental fortitude to keep our chins up.

'For me its very clear how much of a struggle it is at the start,' Ryan commented.

Understatement. The whole thing is a struggle, but tomorrow is another day and hope springs eternal.

Image: Ryan and his frost.