Apologies for the delay in getting this first blog online, things have been crazy for the team over the past week.
On the 5th of February 2012 the Irish North Pole 2012 team of Mike O Shea & Dr. Clare O Leary flew from Ireland to Iquluit in Northern Canada which would act as their base for three weeks. Here they trained in the frigid -40 degree centigrade temperatures and ensured that all the equipment was working correctly. Here they packed all their food that they would require for the 50 day expedition to the North Pole. The team spend a great deal of time training in Iquluit with the famed Arctic explorer Matty McNair , who is also acting as Canadian Base Camp for Mike & Clare when they are on the ice.
On the 25th of February the Irish North Pole team flew from Iquluit to Resolute in Northern Canada where they began waiting for the weather window to allow them on to the ice.
Photo courtesy of Margo Pfeiff
The great news is that on Friday the 2nd of March the team got their flight from Resolute to Cape Discovery to start their expedition. Over the past two days the team have been making consistent, if slow, progress hampered by temperatures down to -55 degrees centigrade. Yesterday the temperature only rose to -47 degrees in the middle of the day! This blog will be updated regularly over the course of the Irish North Pole 2012 Expedition , both by myself, Cian, back in Dingle and directly by the team. The team are contacting me daily if possible by text and email with GPS location and news . They are using an Iridium Sat Phone along with a WiFi hotspot which means that they should be able to blog from their iPhone and iPad while on the expedition.
You can also follow the teams updates on www.facebook.com/irishnorthpole2012 and www.twitter.com/inp2012
Greetings from Bandon to Clare and Mike. Wishing you every success on your journey. Will be with you in spirit.Go dté sibh slán.
Hi Guys:
Greetings to you both from a sunny Ballyvaughan/Doolin. Glad you are starting the journey finally. will be checkiing on you both from time to time. Keep safe.
Go n-eirí libh ar an turas! Conas atá Tom Béar? Tá sneachta ar Cnoc Bhréanainn chomh maith anois. Beannachtaí o Baile an Fhirtearaigh, Muintir O’Reilly
Wishing Claire and Mike all the best on your remarkable journey.We will follow your progress with interest.
From all staff at the canon hayes recreation centre
Hi Mike and Claire,best of luck,all will go well.have a fantastic journey and stay safe/
Hi Mike and Clare good luck , watch out for bears and polargeists trying to trip you up , I reached the pole in 99 from 86 north on foot , be safe .