Day: 126

Strong White-Out Conditions

Temperature: 20F

Location: Melville Peninsula

Latitude: 67deg 35’ 53 ’’ N

Longitude: 85deg 35’ 48 ” W

Distance Traveled: 22 Miles

We had pretty strong white-out conditions this morning, couldn’t really see much of anything. Fortunately, we were traveling on flat terrain, and I led most of the day on skis, ahead of the dogs. We had a strong east wind again today, which made finding our bearing easy - just head directly into the wind.

The white-out was so bad it was almost like vertigo. But we were able to make about 22 miles. Later in the day the winds picked up a little more and the conditions cleared up and we could see the sun and more of the topography. It was a cold day skiing out in front, with some windchill. The temperature was only about 15 degrees Fahrenheit, but with a stiff wind.

Later in the afternoon we got into a gorge here that has crossed our path, and we are trying to figure out the best way of getting around it. And our large scale maps don’t really show a lot. So tomorrow morning we will have to do some scouting to see if we can get across the gorge and onto the other side so we can keep our bearing.

Travel is going well, it’s adventurous. The dogs are running great, they are in tremendous shape. The sleds are light, the food is a little low. Paul and I are relying mostly on the fish we have for supper. The problem we are having with the warm weather is that the fish are thawing out in the daytime. Last night we were going to try and fry up some whitefish and spice it up a bit, but once we got in the tent we both lost our appetites, and settled for peanut butter sandwiches. Tonight I think we are going to have some noodles.

Other than having no real source of protein, the food supply is good. The dogs are eating well, they are on full rations. They are putting on weight, and are really strong specimens of sled dogs. Dogs typically put on weight in the warmer weather like this, after having run all winter. You can see the muscles in their back legs. We are really proud of our dogs, and it is quite a sight to see them running as a team.

They are really enthusiastic. I’m skiing ahead a lot, and when the lead team catches up the dogs are all over me with excitement. It is nice to feel wanted by the dogs. I also have a good report with the dogs, because I am not a driver. If you are a driver, you have to maintain a certain amount of discipline with the dogs. Although there is certainly an amount of affection involved. These are wild dogs, and they will get out of line quickly if given the chance and take advantage of the situation.

While it was nice to get a break from the white-out later in the day, the ultraviolet radiation here is simply hideous. I came into the tent tonight and my face was just fried. It is nothing like a sunburn you might get in the lower latitudes. The ozone layer is very thin here this time of year, and we have to really cover our skin.