Day 42, Feb 16

South Pole or Norway End to End....which is hardest?

After 42 days we believe the Norway End to End Expedition is harder than going to the South Pole for the following reasons: 

  • Terrain more challenging. Lots of hills!
  • Navigation harder
  • Weather harsher
  • Less daylight
  • Snow conditions more challenging (esp. deep powder)
  • Longer distance and time

 Today started with tricky navigation for the 300 metre ascent up to the lake. After floundering in deep powder in a gorge, we eventually located skidoo tracks that led to the lake. On the lake we took off our "climbing skins" and waxed the base of our skis with a special wax that gives glide forward, but prevents the ski slipping back. Choosing the right wax is critical, otherwise your skis are as slippy as an eel with no forward progress, or worse, the snow sticks to the ski base like concrete blocks! Luckily a combination of green and blue wax worked and we covered the enormous 15 km lake in under 3 hours. We also saw s huge red fox today (not phased by us at all). A special thanks to Ingred the cook at Tyinkrysset who found us the cabin yesterday and fed us free of charge for a wonderful breakfast, lunch and dinner. The construction company HAEHRE who are digging the tunnel are good people, who seem to look after their workforce. We are now ensconced at Fondsbu the gateway to the Jotunheim mountains. We are the first people of the season to visit.