South Pole Expedition Sets Emergency Camp

Strong headwinds force Vegard Ulvang’s team to set up an emergency camp halfway into Sunday’s stretch on their treck towards the South Pole.

 The expedition is currently 227 kilometers behind Roald Amundsen, and will have some catching up to do when the weather improves in order to reach the South Pole on December 14 – the same day as Amundsen did 100 years ago.

"Fortunately the temperature has gone up to about minus 15-20 degrees, so we are setting up the camp while we’re still in control," the expedition wrote on their blog.

On Friday they passed the point from which there are "only" 1,000 kilometers left to the South Pole, and the temperature then was minus 30 degrees. They are now about halfway across an area called Rossisen, and about 700 kilometers from the mountains and route leading up Axel Heibergbreen, at almost 3,000 meters.

The expedition is 13-14 days behind schedule, and is hoping for tailwind to be able to catch up lost time. The past days they have been trudging along in headwind, and the last 24 hours they have moved 27 kilometers forward.

In comparison, Amundsen reported great weather and hardly any wind from the same area, and was able to get 50 kilometers ahead on the same day 100 years ago.

Nine Norwegian and foreign expeditions aim to reach the South Pole on December 14 to celebrate Amundsen’s anniversary. If Ulvang’s anniversary expedition makes it on time, the plan is for Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg to greet them and join the team for the last stretch to the South Pole.

(Aftenposten)

Julie Ryland

Monday, 14 November 2011 08:06