So much has happened this week. Firstly we had a great chat with Thomas Ulrich who completed a similar journey in 2001 along with Borge Ousland (find out more about their journey here). Taking his advice on board, we have changed a few bits and pieces around which has allowed us to increase the daily food allowance, but most importantly we have adopted a slightly new strategy. A number of people have confirmed that one of the biggest problems is right at the start trying to actually get up through the Jorge Mont Glacier and onto the plateaux. Our strategy of trying to navigate the massive cerrac field and crevasses only once, by carrying all the kit in backpacks, hasn’t changed. We have however upped our pack weight to 45kg (my knees have just given way thinking about it!). Unless you happen to be in the Special Forces, 45kg is a serious amount of weight to be carrying, not to mention trying to carry it over and around gigantic cracks in the ground with slippery stuff around the edges. The main reason for the huge increase in the weight is food. We are now hovering fractionally over 4000kcal a day each which will increase our chances of a successful crossing greatly.
The majority of the conversation with Thomas was based around the Fella Reichart. We have always known that this part is going to be truly terrifying. In fact with the knowledge that only 2 groups have ever managed to navigate safely through the mass of ice, I wake up regularly at night in a cold sweat. The few photos and satellite imagies have told as a far amount but, confirmed first hand by Thomas, attempting it in bad weather is quite simply suicidal. This simple and yet rather unnerving statement has really bought home that we need to stay on schedule more than ever, in fact we need to reach the Fella Reichart ahead of schedule to allow us to wait for a weather window.
As brilliant as it seems having increased our food allowance, our packs are now simply too heavy to ski with efficiently. So we have opted to take 2 tiny (1m) kids sledges which fit perfectly over the outside of the backpacks and only add 1.5kg to the pack weight. What we hope to be a small price to pay up the Jorge Montt , for the amount of effort they will save us later on.
To update you on the paddle situation we have decided to take two untreated wooden paddles through the first fjord and lake section. Just before we head up the Jorge Mont we will dry our kit around a nice fire (if not a slightly expensive fire!!!). Then on the other side of the ice cap we will be using our shovels, or if it gets really bad we will create something in the spirit of MacGyver.
We were very sorry to hear yesterday that Linda and Rob had to turn back before being able to complete their journey 
across the ice cap (www.icecapjourneys.com.au). This bought home just how tough getting up the Jorge Mont t Glacier will be, even more!.
For all you kit junkies out there, our Neo-Airs have just arrived and they are simply amazing. Not only are they tiny but they are seriously comfy. The other pieces of kit that arrived today were our TISSOT-T-Touch Experts… AMAZING. Aside from the initial panic on their arrival at finding that a box containing two watches weighed in at 2.5kg! I’m pretty sure that by tomorrow the watch will be updating this page for me it seems to have so many functions!
