Day 9

Lat S81deg 23.463’
Long W80deg 12.019’
Altitude 749m
Daily distance 13.05nm

Beautiful day yet again and same forecast for next two days. Shouldn’t complain but it’s too warm! Minus ten hardly constitutes a heatwave and in the absence of any wind it’s mildly pleasant. But, the surface has started to feel softer which means harder going with the hauling. The runners sink ever so slightly more and therefore takes more effort.
I’m winning though as I posted my best mileage so far. 13 nautical or 15 statute (normal) miles today push me past 100 normal miles done. That’s a seventh (ish) of the total distance so at this rate I might need more leave! However, distances should steadily improve as I eat my way through my pulk making it lighter.
Took advantage of the weather to give the solar panels something to do so charged up my battery packs that I use to recharge all the electronics. I can also charge by hanging a panel between the inner and outer tents overnight due to constant sunlight but the panels themselves are more efficient in the cold. Each evening I top up my iPhone, earphones and two inReach trackers. On top of these, I need to keep my satellite phone and iridium Go device topped up too to communicate with Union Glacier in my scheduled evening check in and the Go to send these updates.
Despite feeling warmer it’s still minus 10 deg C and therefore still need to cover everything. It does help though when on my breaks as I have to use my iPhone to scan a sensor on the back of my arm which gives me my blood sugar readings so I can keep on top of the diabetes. The face recognition can’t see through the goggles so I have to tap my passcode in each time. I can just about get away with thin gloves but today I was able to use bare fingers. Yes, I know you can probably turn the passcode off but can I find how?
Also didn’t need to break the ice off my jacket to unzip it this evening. The moisture from expelled breath comes out the bottom of the cold avenger and freezes to my jacket normally but not today so may opt for base and mid layer only tomorrow if it’s the same.

#diabetes #heartinternet #curraNZ #expeditionfoods #primalpantry #solo #antarctica #netmediasolutions
#antarcticlogisticsandexpeditions #southpole