Challenging but good day

Today was a challenging but good day for our team in Svalbard. The weather was clear and calm and the terrain was beautiful. They departed Reindalen and headed up a valley and then over a mountain pass. The ascent included traversing several side slopes, which, depending on the slope and on your sled, can sometimes cause the sled to roll. While this is not dangerous it is a serious pain in the butt. It requires you to stop, back up, roll your sled over, and then start skiing again.

Tonight is their last night of camping and all is good. Everyone is feeling proud of what they have done, and all that they have experienced. Tomorrow they will finish their skiing with a day that is mostly downhill. This will be the opposite of today which was mostly uphill. It will be a welcome change and a great way to end the expedition.

With the last night of camping they are surely all snug in their sleeping bags and enjoying the sounds of the mountains outside their vestibules. It's the last night of bear watch too. For the handful of people doing bear watch shifts tonight they have perfect weather to enjoy the beauty and solitude of the Arctic under the midnight sun.

Check back again tomorrow for a final update from the team!