We woke to calm winds and a clearing sky. After a quick breakfast (my breakfast is actually dinner). We were out and pulling our behemoth sleds individually.

We were glad to be able to actually see the ice in front of us although as is always the case here after good ice comes bad.

We did a double haul through a huge set of drifts and spent our normal amount of time floundering while moving forward. After about 30 minutes we decided to split the loads and ferry half of our gear at a time.

I took the first shift in lead and struggled to find any sort of path. I curved to the west of somehuge car sized blocks then back east where both Ryan and I had to crawl up a steep drift. Unpleasant. Then a tongue of drifts back to the east and we were able to follow our bearing unencumbered (relatively) for nearly 200 meters. I had to laugh at myself. Instantly I felt calm and happy whereas a few seconds earlier I had no hope.

Later, on the way back for our second loads I was able to let my mind relax and wander. Inevitably I started to think of why I was out here and what is the ultimate purpose of this expedition. A big part of me has simply stopped asking myself why. This is just who I am.

More importantly, I want to tell a story of a place the few people have seen. I also want people to understand that this amazing cold place will most likely not be here forever.

We finished the day with a long haul forward. We never seemed to catch any breaks and found ourselves winding sporadically east and west to find routes through the worst of the drifts and pressure.

Stepping up, I felt a lightning bolt of pain shoot up through my right knee. For the next hour I had to use my MSR poles as crutches with every step of my left foot. Eventually the pain worked itself out although a dull ache remains.

It was a good reminder of how potentially helpless we are ou there should the worse happen. However, I do carry my DeLorme inReach at all times - accidents can be just that so its important to be prepared.

Image: Ryan traversing some drifts.