one day to go

We have returned to the South Camp Inn after two nights out in weather 'as cold as we have it'. We know it was below -40 as that was all the readings would go down to, though one chap did hear -45 was the figure. Just about everyone had 'moments'. By this I mean experiences, short or long which rammed home what a lethal environemnt we are in. On the morning of the 3rd, it was so cold only IW could move his hands to get the tent back down. Things one takes for granted in the real world (!!) like doing up a zip, putting gloves on, changing clothes all have their issues and need to be thought through. Even equipment is fallible despite being built for the conditions. We have had issues with our MSR stoves, and simultaneously last night, our goggles fell apart as the temperature went below what the glue could bear. Vitals these, it makes one aware of how thin the line can be.
Food is the saviour. We have dehydrated rations which in the morning and at night we can rehydrate with boiled water. During the day, 'day bags'. these are ziplock bags full of nuts, cheese, chocolate, salami...why has no-one claimed that recipe?....anyway, we graze on this as we stop skiing every 75 mins or so. It is a shock though as the food must defrost in the mouth and it feels a little like sticking a hand full of cold pebbles in! Thank gawd I've still got me own teeth!
Anyway, a bitter night, Ice on hats, sleeping bags, it even snows in the tents as our breath turns to ice! Gloves go hard with icelock.
Depite this morale is high. We knit as a team and mutual understanding and the timesaving teamwork and procedures are coming through. We are feeling strong, but realistic. This is no environment to make the least mistake.

One thing that is becoming apparent is that it is sometimes simply too cold for cameras to work. Video in particular. Having come 'tooled up' with video, Flip, and conventional cameras, it is difficult to warm them and keep them warm, as well as the batteries. We will try to get photos on here via the USB stick and Chris the IT man, but there are updates via:
http://polarrace.com/2009/news

Special mention has to be made of the Pacerpoles we are using. They are great, but the overmit that was almost chucked in as an after thought is invaluable. It means that we do not have to resort to the huge pillow case gloves when skiing. The do seem to allow us less effort, though the bright orange wee we are producing at the end of te day, shows we are exerting ourselves to dehydration. water intake will be key.
This all sounds alarming, but we are more than coping and spirits are good. No one should worry, we are careful and the only Polar Bear sightings have been after they saw the taxidermist.

The race starts tomorrow.
Wish us all Luck!! It's John's Birthday today, his second 21st!! Something tells me we won't be knocking a few back though!