Current Position
Position Date: 2012-12-25 01:15:03
Position Lat: -81.5857
Position Long: -79.9199
Christmas Eve in Antarctica. Of course, my biggest problem
today is simply making sure that Santa Claus knows that I'm nearly at
the exact opposite ends of the Earth. (Image: Practicing for my next expedition - VACATION!)
By all accounts, it was a decent day - I managed to tick off another
22.3 nautical miles. The weather held for the day and I pushed hard.
I've found that getting through the whole day requires an hour-long
lunch break - which is nice for many reasons - one of which is simply
giving a small goal half way through the day. I've found that to
think forward past each day is overwhelming.
I'm still on and off the old cat trail. It seems that it takes about
24 hours for the snow to settle enough to support the weight of the
Moonlander and I. Bike-wise, as an aside, I have had absolutely no
problems - which provides a substantial piece of mind. The big
struggle today, besides soft snow, was several long climbs.
My body, on the other hand, has experienced a few minor blips. A seam
in my bike shorts, chaffed some of my nether regions (I know, sorry)
and to ease the pain, I stuffed one of my big Bergans mittens down my
pants. Can you say field fix? I thought you could!
I've spent four of the last five Christmases in Antarctica. In 2008,
we had a celebration complete with presents. Last year on my last
degree South Pole Expedition, I gave everybody Wenger knives. In 2009,
closing in on the pole, I managed to smuggle a beer into my last
resupply. I can even begin to describe how good it was.
(View current position by clicking on map).
Maria gave me a few presents to open on the trip, but I couldn't
afford the extra weight so I opened them in Punta Arenas. Thoughtful
gifts, my favorite being a DVD of one my favorite movies, Never Cry
Wolf.
WebExpedition Tim sent me an encouraging DeLorme inReach message. He
also sent an email through the iPad mini/RoadPost Iridium phone and
Access Point. It's definitely nice to get these messages but I think
moving forward on the bike here requires singular focus on the task at
hand and the mental strain of thinking about family and friends only
compounds a sense of loneliness.
Because I can't, please enjoy this day with loved ones for me. Don't
waste anytime with pleasantries, either. Just walk up to them and give
them a big hug or kiss or whatever! Of course mine would go to Maria
and Merritt, but I also want to give a Holiday shout out to my two
nephews Luke and Tyler, too! Thinking of all my family today and
always.
Still, I feel lucky to be here. Antarctica is an incredible place and
as difficult as this trip has been I smile every time I hope on the
bike. Sitting, rolling and snow as far as the eye can see...how is
this anything rooted in reality?
Remember, one of the goals of Cycle South is to help raise awareness
for the groundbreaking research that is being done by the Davis
Phinney Foundation, looking for ways that bicycles can help improve
the lives of those who live with Parkinson's. Please donate here:
www.davisphinneyfoundation.org/giving/donate/
