Day: 44

Another Storm Drops In

Temperature: -30F

Location: Canadian Barrens

Latitude: 63deg 2’ 57’’ N

Longitude: 102deg 16’ 00’’ W

Distance Traveled: Not reported…

Very, very cold day today. Last night another storm came in from the northeast, around 2 or 3 in the morning. Hard to tell how fast the wind was blowing, probably 50-60 miles an hour. The temperature had dropped down to about 25 below when we exited the tent, so there must have been an incredible windchill last night for a while.

I was up making sure the tent was OK in the storm. A little nervous about things in the intense wind and thinking that we were going to have to take the day off. But luckily the winds died down to about 25-30 mph, so we could travel. It was clear in the morning. The northwest had brought in some fresh weather. We were traveling along a real rough area, lots of rocks. It looked like we weren’t going to get through for a while. But we finally found a small passage that let us out to the east. Then the wind picked up again around lunch. It was bitter cold, 25-30 below, and strong winds. The winds actually picked up more in the afternoon, and visibility dropped to about a mile or so, with clear skies overhead.

We made it out to a small lake where we are camped right now. The windchills are really low, probably 80-90 below for a while. The winds slowed down somewhat around sunset. And I don’t know if you can hear the nylon snapping in the background, but it is quite windy again. If you are sleeping in a warm bed out there, think of us.

It’s cozy inside, we’ve got both burners going on the Coleman stove. Hugh is writing in his journal. We’re taking the day off tomorrow, Friday. We’re taking every Friday off now to do the education report that goes up online on Mondays. So if you are not aware of our education site, visit PolarHusky.com. If you are a teacher or student you can get involved in the educational project that will go on for about another nine weeks.