We got a call at 4:30 AM and were told it was a GO. We took a bus to the airport and loaded on to a massive cargo plane. There were flip down seats attached to the side of the plane and all of our luggage and gear was in the middle, including a huge snow tractor. We were all given earplugs for the 4 1/2 hour flight. We couldn't talk or hear each other because the engines were too loud. We passed the time by throwing a soccer ball around the plane. We landed safely at Patriot Hills on the ice runway. We set off for a 1 kilometer hike to the tents. It was very difficult and grueling because of the snow. It was a real eye opener of things to come. Mark and I unpacked our gear in the tent and proudly displayed the American flag! My brief time on the cargo plane gave me a new appreciation for the men and women who serve our country. Another snowstorm is expected tomorrow and it is unlikely that we will run for at least two days. It is impossible to describe the vast, wide open emptiness of this sheet of ice we find ourselves on. Right now it is 10 degrees below zero with a 10 mile and hour sustained wind. The staff says this is one of the nicest days in recent memory. After we unpacked our tent, Mark and I dug down through the ice and built a 3 foot snow wall around the tent. Our current goal, while aggressive, is to install plumbing and electricity tomorrow. Mark spent six years in the Army and his side of the tent would pass any rigorous inspection. He looks at my side of the tent and continuously hums the tune from the Odd Couple. I am too cold to care. The food is great, we are safe and I will post more later. Thanks again for your interest and support.
Mike
