The Catlin Arctic Survey Ice Team are Minutes from leaving the Arctic Ocean
Polar explorers Pen Hadow, Ann Daniels and Martin Hartley are minutes away from being lifted from the Arctic Ocean where they have spent the last 73 days in the arctic wilderness. They have just spoken live from the Ice via satellite telephone.
This pioneering polar expedition started back in February, the team have travelled 440km taking daily measurements and observations of the Arctic snow and Ice. In total the team have taken 16,000 readings.
The information the team have gathered will be presented at COP15, this evening at 18:00 (Wednesday 13 May) Pen will discuss the findings in greater detail. You can listen to his findings at http://www.catlinarcticsurvey.com/audiowebcast.aspx.
During the 73 days days the team have faced a number of challenges, the fierce temperatures coming at the top of Pen’s list. Even though temperatures hovered around –40 degrees and dipped to –70degrees with the wind chill, the team continued to take readings and measurements.
Pen speaking just before their collection:
“I am relieved we have all made it safely through this scientific expedition and have completed the core scientific programme. This expedition was different to other polar expeditions, as this time we were surveying the area as well as trying to cover the distance, it was a difficult balance. It has been a pioneering and learning experience of what is possible.
Visually the area was different to any we had seen before, however this is the first time we have been to this specific area of the Arctic Ocean. However we did notice there was less snow cover than we are used to.
In 20 years of polar exploration I have never taken or needed ‘Ice Screws’, we had always nailed the tent down in the snow using skis. Luckily Martin had insisted we take them as we used them 90% of the time as there was less snow.
There was much less open water; we had planned to do 2 hours a day, when in fact we only did that on one day.
Cleanliness is a factor in minus degrees we did take it in turn to have a ‘snow bath’ but I think we ‘honk’ is the correct word. It will be nice to be clean again.”
Ann Daniels:
“I am looking forward to the plane arriving, the boys have been great company and fantastically supportive, a really good team.
I think the boys will miss my cooking – ‘meal in a bag’ although they have mentioned Steak & Chips.
I am looking forward to taking my layers off and going to bed, in a nice clean bed, not a smelly sleeping bag and without my hat and layers on, obviously I am looking forward to the love and hugs from my family.
I want to sit in front of a warm fire, even when it is warm with a full bodied red wine.”
Martin Hartley, who suffered severe frostbite, was putting up the wind sock to help guide in the plane so he was unable to comment, however Ann (expedition navigator / nurse) added:
“I was glad to have helped Martin with his frost bite, he got it on day four. It was severe frostbite and he must have been in a lot of pain, we even thought he may have to come out, which none of us wanted. He bravely put up with the pain, even though when skiing his toe stuck to the boot. But I am pleased to say he is not using any dressing anymore and has little or no pain”.
More information to follow as the team is collected from the Arctic Ice and commences their journey home.
Pen is discussing his findings this evening – via telephone, to listen please visit http://www.catlinarcticsurvey.com/audiowebcast.aspx.
Tags: Ann Daniels, cas, catlin acrtic survey, Martin Hartley, Pen Hadow
