After a late night arrival in Barneo and an even later drop off at the 89th parallel, we had a somewhat slow start this morning. It is 24 hour daylight here so when the sun is out (not cloudy or whiteout) it is actually tolerable in the tent.

Of course, I made special floor mats this year out of thin close-cell foam, which in addition to two Therm-A-Rest Ridge Rests, make a tent life all that much better as cold seeps up in any exposed crack.

Last year it was 44 below during this trip. This year it's a much 'milder' -25 Fahrenheit (-32 C). Even at these temperatures, we walk (but really ski) on small margins.

The ice conditions are also dramatically different. Flying from Barneo on a Russian MI-8 helicopter, I could see large almost bergy-bits frozen in amongst the sea ice. While skiing we encountered some of these blocks one measuring nearly two meters high sitting on top of the ice independently of anything else around it. The pans seem smaller than last year with the spaces in between 'pressure' more wind scoured than I've seen in the past.

Today, we had to cross six or so medium-sized pressure ridges in which we had to take our skis off to traverse. I like these small challenges because they break up the day. Each ridge requires a different plan of attack.

The team - Neil, David, Vivian and Jaco all did amazingly well. It's not easy out here but with thoughtful steady travel, we will reach our goal.

Distance: 5.65 nautical miles