Connecting with Polar Exploration History

Goose with his sledge flag made by Lola and Annie, and some banana bread baked by Stacey.

The weather is thankfully improving for the Ruff Riders.

While storm days can test your patience, they are a great time to practice gratitude. It's easy to bemoan being stuck inside the tent, but it helps to remember where your tent is pitched. The Greenland Icecap is such a fascinating and beautiful place. We're so fortunate to experience it firsthand.

I know that I'm always grateful for the few creature comforts at hand. While it's not a king size bed, I sure enjoy the heck out of my inflatable pad. Listening to the tent walls shake while I'm stretched out on the fluffy pad really hits the spot. I'm sure the Ruff Riders have been thankful for not skimping on their bedding.

Another item that the Riders are thankful for is their individual sledge flags.

What's a sledge flag? Unless you're British or well versed in expedition travel, you might also be wondering what a sledge is. Simple, it's a sled.

The sledge flag is a personal badge that each sled hauler would fly from their own sled or sleds. Sledge flags were most commonly flown on British expeditions during the Heroic Age of Polar Exploration (1890s to early 1920s).

They were typically sewn by a female family member or friend. They brought pride and purpose to sledge hauling and provided a connection to family, friends, and home. They inspired persistence and were extremely dear possessions for expedition team members.

The Ruff Riders were all given personalized sledge flags at the outset of the expedition all the way back in Kangerlussuaq. The design incorporates the elevation profile of the icecap into the Greenlandic flag.

The Riders have a long way to go before reaching the east coast, but we hope the sledge flags serve as a reminder of each team member's resilience, team spirit, and connection with the amazing environment they are traversing.