The team put in another good day on the polar plateau, and by the time they pitched their tents for the evening they had completed just about 20% of the expedition mileage! Today they skied 6.5 nautical miles in 5 hours, and are currently camped at S 89*12', W 089*37'.
Today the temperature dipped down to -17 Fahrenheit with calm winds. When it's that cold outside wearing the appropriate layers is of the utmost importance. Obviously the team wants to stay comfortable and healthy in the bitter cold, but they must be very careful to keep from getting too warm. Actually, it's better to be a little chilly rather roasty toasty warm while skiing. If you get too warm you'll start to sweat, and then, as soon as you stop generating body heat through activity (skiing), that sweat leaves with chattering teeth and wet clothes with poor insulation value.
So the team must be in a constant state of diligence: carefully monitoring their body temperature, shedding or adding layers as needed, stoking their metabolic engines and keeping the frigid wind from damaging cold-sensitive body parts like the ears, fingertips and nose.
The team is really hitting their stride now. In her audio update Wendy mentions that, once again, the girls are the night owls. The boys had already turned in, no doubt resting up for another great day of making miles!
Today the temperature dipped down to -17 Fahrenheit with calm winds. When it's that cold outside wearing the appropriate layers is of the utmost importance. Obviously the team wants to stay comfortable and healthy in the bitter cold, but they must be very careful to keep from getting too warm. Actually, it's better to be a little chilly rather roasty toasty warm while skiing. If you get too warm you'll start to sweat, and then, as soon as you stop generating body heat through activity (skiing), that sweat leaves with chattering teeth and wet clothes with poor insulation value.
So the team must be in a constant state of diligence: carefully monitoring their body temperature, shedding or adding layers as needed, stoking their metabolic engines and keeping the frigid wind from damaging cold-sensitive body parts like the ears, fingertips and nose.
The team is really hitting their stride now. In her audio update Wendy mentions that, once again, the girls are the night owls. The boys had already turned in, no doubt resting up for another great day of making miles!
U guys are simply amazing keep up the good work...been following the daily updates truly inspiring...Michelle
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