Blogger Pages

A relatively recent addition to Blogger, "Pages" are hopefully going to make this blog more dynamic. Of course, I'll still have to write interesting posts - could be difficult at the moment! I am not feeling poetically inclined. But, if the sea ice comes then maybe there will be plenty of pre-expedition stories to share about adventures on the ice.

Until then, keep an eye on the pages under the header as I add different bits of information relevant to the expedition.

Follow Bert's Atacama Quest!

Not much happening here at the moment. We are still waiting for ice and hoping for the winter to start in ernest ... soon.

While waiting for winter in Greenland, or escaping the winter in your part of the world, you might want to check out Bert Poffé's preparations for the Atacama Crossing 2010.

Click on the picture above or here for the link.

Best of luck Bert!

Bubbles!

Thinking of the coming summer I had a look through some of my whale video again. Besides scaring the crap out of myself I had fun trying to figure out if the bubbles I saw came from my paddle or the whale. At the end of this short video you can see just how big a bubble the humpback blows when it is feeding.

Modifying the Folbot Kodiak

I am not known for being particularly good at practical projects. Nor am I known for repairing things neatly - if I repair something I can't hide the fact! My favourite material to work with is dental floss and I liberally thread it through everything, many times, until I think I have solved the problem - i.e. it is "fixed". Not pretty, but fixed!


Luckily, the Kodiak lends itself to plenty of subtle modifications without too much invasive surgery. Using brass rings found on tarpaulins - not very technical language here I know - I made a hole in the spray-deck to allow the rudder cables to pass through without rucking up the deck. The cables themselves have been switched out with good old Greenlandic fishing line - the metal cables proved too complicated for me! The line itself is encased in poly tubing used in aquariums.


A small carabiner and some parachute cord is used to hold the seat in the upright position when entering the boat. I have also made some small cuts through the seat in order to attach a Crazy Creek inflatable cushion to make life a little more comfortable. I learned quickly that too much air makes a cushion into concrete!



The aluminum frame is great for attaching gear and with some nylon webbing and assorted plastic fasteners I made a home for the camera drybag in the space under my knees.



It was so easy to install these straps that I can't wait to figure out what else I can "secure" to the boat in this way.


The sun might have returned but I have plenty of projects to occupy me during the winter before the expedition is scheduled to start.

Here Comes the Sun ... kind of

Today saw the return of the sun in Uummannaq. A special day, even more so because of the 15 minutes extra sun/light we get each day now until the midnight sun sometime in May. We certainly have a lot more light now. Now all we need is the ice and some minus temperatures!



Of course, I did not have the camera with me to school today. So no pictures of the sun I am afraid. But last night, the Northern Lights were quite spectacular. I was too late to catch the different colours but I had plenty of green to keep me occupied.


About the only thing I could wish for during the expedition this summer is the the Northern Lights. They will be there, just invisible. However there should be plenty of other things to marvel at!