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Description

Snowstorm…

Pain. Fatigue. Discomfort.
But a lot of adrenaline.
To withstand extremely enraged snowstorm was a quite big challenge.
How is the feeling really like?

The most challenging part was… the right judgement of that situation. When you get into that whiteout, which happened to be highest level of snowstorm, everything disappears and the feeling of balance is lost. The windspeed was reaching almost 100km/h, at that level snow hits your face (and body) becomes painful. It felt like thousand of needles are piercing through your skin.

Even the top expedition gear couldn’t withstand the power of that weather anomaly, it was quickly soaked wet. And being wet, is very dangerous while being in arctic expedition - it’s the fastest way to hypothermia.

My team was on the front. We were the first to “take off” on a long journey, but I quickly lost everyone from my sight. I relied on dogs, they could sense the right way better than me.

But not obstacles.

We hit a huge rock, fell off. My wrist was bleeding. But had to run and grab my sled very quickly.

Even as an experienced musher, I had very hard time to keep my sled in balance. Mushing is like sailing, you need to keep it in balance, work with sled all the time to not fall off. During this weather it was very turbulent, I was feeling like we are gonna get blowed sideway by wind. I kept fighting to not fall from sled, my legs were very quickly sore with keeping balance, and eventually got cramps on my legs. Cramps! Ugh!

But what kept us all going on - was the high level of adrenaline. High adrenaline made us resistant to actual feeling of fear and pain. I didn’t feel any fear but full action.

I felt good.
But that wasn't good.

The experience alone is cool, while being on adrenaline, things work - but the worst moment is “after” that, things go downhill. Body get exhausted, dehydrated and distressed.

The dogs, sled dogs are very sturdy heroes - good leaders will guide and work no matter what happens. However, during that enormous storm, they were feeling more and more insecure….

… until my lead dogs refused to go further.

At that moment you should listen to dogs.

I looked back and I see somebody got lost. I met with teamleader and we made decision to postpone and return to the beginning. It was impossible to continue journey though high mountains.

Just bringing a memory of my polar expedition two year ago for a moment.
Today, a new team 2017 is embarking on polar expedition. And another team from Danish Patrol has embarked on journey, too.

Wishing the best luck for them.

… I have learned so much on that expedition.

Pain. Fatigue. Discomfort.

Photo of my team in front by Håkan Wike.

Description

Snowstorm…

Pain. Fatigue. Discomfort.
But a lot of adrenaline.
To withstand extremely enraged snowstorm was a quite big challenge.
How is the feeling really like?

The most challenging part was… the right judgement of that situation. When you get into that whiteout, which happened to be highest level of snowstorm, everything disappears and the feeling of balance is lost. The windspeed was reaching almost 100km/h, at that level snow hits your face (and body) becomes painful. It felt like thousand of needles are piercing through your skin.

Even the top expedition gear couldn’t withstand the power of that weather anomaly, it was quickly soaked wet. And being wet, is very dangerous while being in arctic expedition - it’s the fastest way to hypothermia.

My team was on the front. We were the first to “take off” on a long journey, but I quickly lost everyone from my sight. I relied on dogs, they could sense the right way better than me.

But not obstacles.

We hit a huge rock, fell off. My wrist was bleeding. But had to run and grab my sled very quickly.

Even as an experienced musher, I had very hard time to keep my sled in balance. Mushing is like sailing, you need to keep it in balance, work with sled all the time to not fall off. During this weather it was very turbulent, I was feeling like we are gonna get blowed sideway by wind. I kept fighting to not fall from sled, my legs were very quickly sore with keeping balance, and eventually got cramps on my legs. Cramps! Ugh!

But what kept us all going on - was the high level of adrenaline. High adrenaline made us resistant to actual feeling of fear and pain. I didn’t feel any fear but full action.

I felt good.
But that wasn't good.

The experience alone is cool, while being on adrenaline, things work - but the worst moment is “after” that, things go downhill. Body get exhausted, dehydrated and distressed.

The dogs, sled dogs are very sturdy heroes - good leaders will guide and work no matter what happens. However, during that enormous storm, they were feeling more and more insecure….

… until my lead dogs refused to go further.

At that moment you should listen to dogs.

I looked back and I see somebody got lost. I met with teamleader and we made decision to postpone and return to the beginning. It was impossible to continue journey though high mountains.

Just bringing a memory of my polar expedition two year ago for a moment.
Today, a new team 2017 is embarking on polar expedition. And another team from Danish Patrol has embarked on journey, too.

Wishing the best luck for them.

… I have learned so much on that expedition.

Pain. Fatigue. Discomfort.

Photo of my team in front by Håkan Wike.