A world of iceAn incredible two thirds of the world’s fresh water – water in the atmosphere, rivers, lakes, glaciers, and groundwater – is stored here in Antarctica. Today we have waded in deep powder snow, gaining 800 metres of elevation, through a spectacular frozen landscape. Glaciers tumble down between the mountains, making their way to the Ross Sea.
“There was a short clear interval in the small hours at 3 o’clock, and we went out to investigate the conditions. We were on a slope with a fairly steep gradient along our course.”– Amundsen on this day 100 years ago (Read more …) 
Many of the icefalls look like nature’s own meringues. At a distance we have seen gigantic blocks of ice come crashing down the slopes, filling the air with huge clouds of powder snow dislodged by the shock waves. We are constantly stunned by the beautiful, untamed scenery that surrounds us in every direction. We had intended to take a break today, but the weather was simply too glorious for that. And the temptation to scale the steepest segment of our route was too strong. We apparently felt the same thing as Bjaaland, during Amundsen’s expedition: “Good weather. Too good to lie still.” We will postpone our resting day until we reach the plateau. That will also give us more time to adjust to the altitude. Position: S 85 27.884; W 166 10.960
Temperature: -13°C Wind: calm Elevation: 1845 metres Distance traversed: 9 km Distance behind Amundsen: 78 km Total distance traversed: 769 km Distance remaining to the South Pole: 542 km Did you know that the crabeater seal doesn’t eat crabs?
The diet of a crabeater seal consists mainly of krill (90%). |
South Pole 1911–2011 is an informational outreach project run by the Norwegian Polar Institute
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