30/04/05    
Training Begins

After a period of gentle acclimatisation both Ice Warrior Squad 1 and 2 successfully completed their first five days on ice. 10 women and 13 men ventured out from Resolute towards Assistance Bay on Cornwallis Island in the High Arctic of Canada (74 degrees North). Following the coastline they reached Assistance Bay - so called because of HMS Assistance, one of the rescue ships sent to find Franklin's Northwest Passage Expedition, which was trapped in ice and crushed having created a depot in the bay - in two days and then set out onto the sea ice of the passage itself. The weather has been unusually warm ranging from -25 Celsius to -17 Celsius. The third day however a keen 30 km wind created a windchill of -32 which made things a little serious.

Two days back at base planning their next mini expeditions and we'll be off again in a westerly direction towards the disused Polaris mine on Little Cornwallis Island.....I'm beginning to feel proud already!

02/05/05    

Most set off
Unfortunately illness has struck some of the team - some sort of virus that affects people in different ways - and not all are in a fit condition to start their 11 day expedition towards Polaris. Peter, Ollie, Laura, Alex and Seb have had to stay at South Camp to recover a little before joining the rest. Meanwhile under the watchful eyes of Mark, Matt and Dave - Ice Warrior Staff - the two teams left to start their final mini training expedition. I too have the virus and will therefore stay back to tend to the sick and pursue some IW opportunities via the internet.

03/05/05    

One out two back
Peter recovered enough to join his teammates in IWS 1 so I drove him by snowmobile to where they are camped near Sherringham Point. Jo and Andrea had, meanwhile, fallen ill so I ended up bringing two sick people back.
The group are progressing well though.

06/05/05    

Returned Fit
Phil of Polar Challenge kindly helped me take Andrea, Ollie, Laura, Alex E and Jo B back to join the group who by now had reached Airey Point. It took three hours to reach them by snowmobile and just as we were approaching the camp a bear had started approaching from the other side. It was rather like the cavalry arriving in the knick of time. We unhooked our cargo and Phil and I confronted and chased the bear off into the sea ice rubble. It transpired the group had seen two other bears that day - most were delighted at the prospect, if a little concerned about the night to come. Phil and I returned to Resolute at 2200hrs. I returned to bed... still ailing.

10/05/05    
Rejoining the group!!
Finally I get to rejoin the teams today, after a long period of dodgy health. I can't wait! They proceeded last night to Cheyne Point on Griffith Island in the Parry Strait. They should have reached there at about 0100 hrs in the morning - their first experience of travelling in the midnight sun - although looking at the weather last night there may not have been much sun. I've asked them to proceed towards the middle of the strait where I will catch up with them. When I do we will turn around and head back towards Griffith Island - Dobell Point, north east of the island. We'll then spend the rest of the time crossing Resolute Strait and making our way back for mid-morning on Friday 13th.

12/05/05    
Arctic Survival & Rescue Training
The penultimate day of training was all about Arctic Survival, Search and Rescue and Medical Emergencies. No travel - a universally popular decision - and the same camp was used as a base for these operations. One team was given the task of digging snow shelters on the side of Griffith Island and the other conducting rescue operations in the rough coastal ice. One of the snowholes managed to accommodate 13 people! A great learning day was had by all.

13/05/05    
Safe return to Resolute
We skied back into Resolute at 10am this morning and after a round of congratulations, got on with the task of unloading equipment and preparing it for storage until next year's expeditions. We received a very warm welcome from Ozzie and the staff at South Camp Inn and faces were beaming at lunch time - real food! We have just a few hours today and tomorrow, before we head back to Ottawa and back into Heathrow on Monday morning.