I'd like to say I never look behind me anymore to see if polar bears are following in my tracks but I still do. I had a good laugh out loud today when I remembered my reaction at the time. I dropped my poles instantly and just focused on getting my pencil flare out and threaded properly.

It was another sunny and calm day on the Arctic Ocean and normally that would be cause for celebration but we are wishing for a wind to blow away the quick sand like 'powder' on top of the harder wind packed snow. It is spirit-draining work step after step, especially since the few harder surface areas offer nearly effortless pulling.

We slogged along trading lead positions roughly every hour. There were a few larger pans but mostly it was drifts, pressure ridges, cracks and a few frozen leads.

On one particular lead the far edge had opened up and now had thin 'rubbery' ice spanning the gap. Ryan wanted to go around but I encouraged him to cross as it would help restore his confidence in thin ice crossings after he fell in.

'How much did the ice bend,' he asked after safely across.

'No comment,' I replied. Its better to not think about these things too much.

I spent a few minutes organizing the HMS Merritt last even. After eating through roughly have of our rations I consolidated some of my meals and 'day' food. Everything is iin color coded Granite Gear stuff sacks. Red for dinner. Green, breakfast. Blue lunch.

Inn somewhat related news, we crossed the 85th Parallel. We are pleased but tired.

If you haven't already, you shhould check out the Protect Our Winters Riders Alliance, a group of 50 winter athletes speaking out about about climate change. Together, we're raising awareness through our first-hand experiences with a changing climate and inspiring others to take meaningful action.

Distance traveled: 9.54 nm

Image: My Asnes skis spanning a small crack.