Monday 07 May: Back From The North Pole

Some ten days ago, Alain Hubert and Dixie Dansercoer returned from their intensive training on the Arctic pack ice. They went to test the equipment that they will be using next year for their Great Crossing of the Arctic Ocean.

It had initially been envisaged that they would be training in the area of Sredny ; but the Cerpolex logistics, a French Tour Operator that takes care of the logistics of all the polar expeditions that choose Siberia as their starting point, enabled them to be deposited about 100km from the North Pole: it was therefore the remaining route that served as a test area and a training ground.

They left Moscow on 14 April, and two days later they were deposited on the pack ice in the afternoon of the 20th, they got to the North Pole, and that same evening they were back in Khatanga.

They spent two days in this town at the ends of the earth, and were lucky enough to meet the cream of polar adventurers, including Jean-Louis Etienne and Victor Boyarski in particular.

Dixie wrote : "Sniffing the salt." Alain and I just came back from a very satisfying training in the high Northern lattitudes in preparation of our next "big" one: the crossing of the Arctic Ocean with a departure planned for mid February 2002. The primary goal for searching for a good training ground was to test all new equipment (predominantly the newest design of sledge), organise logistics, "feel" the frozen ocean and discuss task division. Rarely discussed but highly necessary, it was also about catching up which each other and forming the delicate bond that, before all other elements that try to guarantee success, is the most important asset during an expedition. We found ourselves pumped up with the trust in the people of Cerpolex who will take us to the point of departure, trust in the natural setting of the Arctic, trust in our equipment and trust in each other. No major uncertainties anymore, which leaves us the necessary space for the focus during the last months. We were lucky enough to be presented a very diverse menu of Norht Pole conditions i.e. small leads and wide open water (great to test the floatability of the sledges), plenty of pressure zones and all sorts of rumble, weather good enough to take the time to film here and there and finally... reach the North Pole. That was a welcome surprise since it had not really been our plan. Originally the training was foreseen in Sredny, but the logistics got a little too complicated so instead we were invited to do the last degree and be picked up at the North Pole. In all, we came back with a great deal of clarity and a sledge full of renewed energy!

It was during these encounters that Hubert and Dansercoer learnt of various individual projects; on the one hand, it is certain that the Norwegian Borge Ousland will not be giving in to defeat and will be returning next year for another combined solo/unassisted attempt on the Cape Arktichewski - Ward Hunt route. On the other, it is now known that the French Jean-Louis Etienne will be dropped at the North Pole next year, to let himself drift for three months in a capsule built for the needs of this original project. In other words, next spring (2002) will be a busy period on the Arctic ice pack.
The outcome of this training was more than positive, even though Hubert and Dansercoer have still not made up their minds as to which sledge to choose (rigid or flexible structure), for they are perfectly satisfied with the behaviour of the two sledges that they took to the ice and loaded with 80 kilos of weight.
Furthermore, the rest of the equipment that had to be tested - sleeping bags, new boots and new fastenings, the system for fixing hide beneath the skis, etc - was also found by both men to be entirely satisfactory.