“Polarrev finished their science week in style with a birthday bash for Zoe. The tentipi was festooned with tin foil decorations, however birthday antics were ruined by putting umlaut on a capital ‘E’ much to Will’s displeasure! Despite this Zoe describes it as the best birthday she has had at 78 degrees north. As a special treat, we used the last of the our ingredients to conjure up a delicious bannock bread breakfast which steeled us for our day on the Blackbreen. The celebrations continued long into the night a particular highlight being the look of delight on Rosey’s face when she produced our ‘After 8 expedition’ mints, consisting of toothpaste spresd thinly on slices of Mars bar.
The next day was far more relaxed (recovering from our jelly hangovers!) so Liv and Steph took the opportunity to wash their hair for the first time in 5 weeks and Edd and Louis took the opportunity to rid their clothes of Droopl Vine* pioneering a song of the same name to the tune of Edelweiss with the uneasy feeling they may have wrecked one of Austria’s best loved songs.
* NB – Droopl vine is the filthy liquid exuded by soggy arctic clothes
We returned to find Rein crashing our camp, however we got over this and had an enjoyable evening to cap off our time at Tobredalen. We left feeling we had got the best of both worlds at both sciences camp having seen both slush flows and beluga whales. We started off our mountain skills week in the Polarrev style pulking where no Fire has pulked before up the Fangenbreen glacier. We endured two arduous climbs to reach the col at the top between the Malarbreen and Fangenbreen where we made camp at 800m, the highest yet achieved.”
Isbjørn are currently moving to a new position at the head of the Møysalbreen, whilst Polarrev have just pulled their pulks for seven hours in deep powder snow on their return to Base Camp. Despite climbing the Gløttfjellet, Rein were unable to make their rendezvous with Rype due to poor visibility. The Skidoo rider arrives at the camp after much difficulty due to poor visibility and takes the rubbish and waste back to Longyearbyen.
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Falling snow, windy, deep powder, -2°c.
Hvalross have now made it back to Longyearbyen and have had a night in the guesthouse. In the meantime, Isbjørn pulked to a new campsite high on the Drønbreen. Polarrev have skied up the Edvardbreen and are currently witnessing stunning views of the east coast.  Rein are now at the col between Svellnosbreen and Fleinisen.Â
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Falling snow and breezy, turning clear and calm, -8°c.
This afternoon, Rype met up with Hvalross in Møysaldalen on their return to Base Camp. Hvalross then sorted themselves out and headed towards Longyearbyen, leaving Kath behind to join Rype until she can be adopted by Rein. Isbjørn have had a full mountain ‘night’ and succeed in completing a Skolten horseshoe. Meanwhile, Polarrev continue towards the east coast, and Rein summitted on Møysalen as well as another 1000m peak.
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Clear, slight breeze, -8°c. Â
Today was a real high point in the trip so far - We (Hvalros) crossed the high col of Fosstoppen, it was a tremendous feeling to see the tents from the summit, they appeared as tiny specs in a vast sea of white. We then placed a high camp ready for tomorrows climb and when the storm broke and we put our gear out to dry in the sun just as Rein fire passed by. We’re now eating everything available in preparation for some very big days ahead of us…. Â
Today the arctic skills group (Hvalros) reached the dronbreen glacier with ski technique and pulking going well they made good time and ran into a few of the extreme arctic fires.
Polarrev fire were on their way to the weather station having just been studying a frozen reindeer (rein). With a new low pressure system on its way, the whole team are bracing themselves for a bit of a turn in the weather! More to follow soon.
Becca, Richard and Ade on the col at the top of the Longyearbreen
25/4/10  Hvalros set off east heading for the Dronbreen (breen = glacier). 0900 start for everyone else with Isbjørn first up to the range followed at hourly intervals by Polarrev then Rein. The practise, without rifle, of the drills during their journey reaped rewards as the YEs were amazingly slick and competent with the rifle. Rein got the top score. The Fires have a practice ski and pulk and Isbjørn summit Janssonhaugen. 9 day food issue for Polarrev and Rein, Isbjørn are changing their clocks to operate at ‘night’.
Packed Plane landed at 1am to a low sun and frozen seascape. 8 countries, 3 days travel. We’re so glad to finally step into the arctic air. Now kit issue and we set off for Base Camp 1. Everyone is buzzing.
Just received confirmation that the group have all touched down in Longyearbyen airport – even managed to keep all of their equipment with them. Well that’s the easy part done, now on with the expedition.
Following much haggling and tireless work from the leader team and SAS staff, everyone made it from Oslo to Tromoso earlier in the day and recent messages from the team indicate that everyone has been boarded onto the 22:50 flight from Tromso to Longyearbyen. The group will arrive around 00:30 local time and be taken to the guesthouse, although may have to wait to be reunited with some group kit on a flight following them tomorrow. We will post more news in the morning once we receive confirmation of everyones position. Watch this space!
