Finally we are loading the plane and ready to walk over and board the DC3 twin prop plane for the 3.5 hour flight to the drop off point at latitude 89. We will arrive at about 3:30 pm, assemble our gear and ski a few miles until 5:00 pm before setting up our camp for the night. Our team took a photo together and honored Mason: our Hopecam child for today. Mason just finished treatment after a 30 months of medication - chemotherapy - blood tests etc. We are all praying for his recovery as we depart.
Leaving temperatures in the single digits at Union Glacier Camp to -30 degree temperatures on the Arctic plateau when we land. The cold and high altitude will make for a very difficult couple of days before we settle into a steady groove as we march (ski) south. The South Pole sits on top of 7,000 feet of ice at 9,300 ft above sea level - Amazing fact!
Wish us well!
Honoring Hopecam Child Mason today.