The rewards of routines.

CP reporting for Team AC/DC: another 20 km (12.4 miles) today. Everyone is feeling good. We woke up at 2:30 am again and enjoyed another spectacular sunrise. The wind was about 10 knots from the southeast all day. It was quite warm, so the wind was refreshing. We gained another 500 feet net elevation with rolling hills as we ascend toward the ice cap "summit."

The team is camped at an elevation of 5,300 feet. The summit, or at least the highest point they will traverse, is just below 8,000 feet. There is still plenty of climbing ahead as they move eastward. At this stage of the expedition, the team is well settled into their daily routines. There are two people in each tent, and tasks include melting snow to refill water containers and prepare breakfast and hot drinks. While the water is warming, they use this time to organize snacks for the day, apply sunscreen, and start packing their sleds. From the time they wake up to the time they leave camp is under two hours.

On the trail, a push lasts around an hour plus, with breaks lasting only a few minutes. This is just enough time to relieve themselves, have a snack, and hydrate before the next hour-plus push starts. Depending on surface conditions and weather, the team targets a distance or time goal for each push. This helps them focus on maintaining the right pace to achieve the mini-milestones of each push. Breaking down the large objective challenges and distance on a 350-mile journey helps the team and individuals focus on attainable daily goals, turning what can be a daunting challenge into manageable chunks of distance and energy output.

After the day's pushes, six or more, the team finds a suitable camping location and sets up camp. Tents and stoves are set up and water is melting within half an hour of arrival. This allows the team plenty of time to recover. Often overlooked, recovery during these expeditions is a key task for each team member. This starts with hydration and calorie intake, tending to personal ailments with tent stretching, or using a wet wipe to remove the day's salt and sunscreen, all aiding in recovery. Listening to music, writing in a journal, or reading helps the brain and body recover. Routines are the key to success, and the team is well into their own.