Itâ??s been a hot minute since Iâ??ve guided any super challenging expeditions. First, it was Covid. Then cancer. And if you add in global geopolitics, itâ??s definitely been a while. Of course, for the past few years, Iâ??ve been doing other adventures and training courses but nothing as remote (dare I say the most remote) as the Arctic Ocean.

Iâ??ve been keeping a low profile because one there are still a lot of variables (and hazards) to this upcoming trip, and more realistically, Iâ??ve had a very busy winter and early spring with only limited time in between my Level 1 Polar Training Course, the Polar Academy and my recent Jack Wolfskin filming adventure on Hudson Bay. I also don't know how to feel. It was three short years ago that I was neck deep in chemotherapy and unable to carry an empty box across the room, let alone a heavy polar sled across the sea ice. At that time, I didn't think I would see the end of summer let alone another polar expedition.

I don't know what to think. Honestly most days, I just try to forget all the pain and suffering. It was too hard then and too hard now to revisit those days and feelings of despair. To remedy those terrible feelings, I just keep putting one foot in front of the other trying to buttress myself toward success by keeping Maria and the kids, and the myriad systems that I use to make up for all my weaknesses, close by.

I most likely will not have access to social media over the next few weeks but Iâ??m hoping to send some updates to Maria to post for me. Weâ??ll see.

Regardless, thanks for following along and always remember, itâ??s cool to be cold. Think Snow!