With better conditions today the team made over 8 nautical miles in 7 hours. The weather was stable with light winds out of the east, or just over their left ears. The horizon was cloudy but there were shadows and the sun was out, giving them another amazing sun dog day.
It was cold, at -18°F this morning, but it seemed to warm up throughout the day. Over their 4 pushes and 3 breaks they did not see the South Pole station. With a cloudy horizon that's not a surprise.
They are now within 8.5 nautical miles of the South Pole (!) and with clear weather tomorrow they could see the station in the morning. At first it doesn't look like a station, more like a smudge on the horizon that seems to disappear when you look directly at it. Then it becomes a bigger smudge, but you half expect it to fly away as if it's a bird that has landed far away. Then you notice a couple more smudges, and some of them move. Then you can make out that some of the smudges are buildings, maybe, and others possibly trucks? or planes? Finally you can see vehicles, satellite dishes, and other big pieces of equipment. All this comes and goes with passing clouds or gusts of wind that pick up snow. Sometimes it feels like it is all getting further away! But once you know that you're close it's an incredible feeling.
Oftentimes it becomes a competition to see who will be the first person to see the South Pole station, with the winner getting free burgers or free beer when back in Punta Arenas. No doubt them may all be angling to win that prize :)
We are very excited for the team to be so close to their goal! Tonight will be a special night at camp not because they have made it, which they haven't yet, but because it will likely be their last night "en route" during their South Pole expedition. The celebration may not have started yet as there are still over 8 nautical miles between them and the South Pole... but, it's on the horizon, and that feels good.
Check back again tomorrow for another update from the polar plateau! If you'd like to send any messages to the team you can send them to annie@polarexplorers.com