Deep Snow & Wind - Days 13 & 14

Tough wind and snow for the dogs and expedition team!

Day 14 - May 26, 2011

The team started off the day at 9am with a little wind which faded turning into a fairly clear day with the slightest of winds from the west and overcast skies. Travel conditions remained tough due to fresh snow overnight. The snow drifts they encountered today were calf-high! Again today, each team member took a lead which allows the others to take less of the burden of creating tracks through the deep snow. This is hard work! Our youngest teammate Deeya took the final lead and push for the day taking on 4 km for the team!

By end of day, the weather had cleared significantly and the team was in great spirits and decided to celebrate Guide, Keith Heger’s birthday a little early!!! They all enjoyed some Japanese whiskey, bacon, sausages and bagels and cheese! It was an excellent pre-birthday party. 


Be sure to listen the the audio update by Lieve! The team sings us one of the songs from the trail that can't be missed! Current location N66.09.716 W041.17.402.

Day 13 - May 25, 2011

Today the team was met with 15-25 mph white out conditions. Absolutely, one of the most challenging days they’ve faced this expedition. The winds were from the southeast, so they were forced to travel head on with only 200 meters of visibility. The dogs stayed close the entire day which is great because if separation had occurred it’s not easy to find each other during white out conditions. Separation from the dog sleds and mushers could cause major problems for the team. We’re happy that we have our experience Greenland mushers, Salo and Ulrick!

Temperatures were at -10˚C all day, very chilly, but thankfully the wind was warmer. The snow conditions have continued to be challenging for the team. To lessen the burden, the team mates swap the lead throughout the day and managed to complete a total of  22 km for the day. Tonight after dinner everyone decided to relax in their tents for the next challenging day. Current location N66.12.452 W041.49.998 and elevation 2,164 meters.

Greenland Fact: The History of Greenland during World War II reflected the fate of the Danish motherland. After the Invasion of Denmark in April 1940, its colony Greenland was left on its own. Britain and Canada had plans to occupy the island, but the United States, even though still neutral, disagreed. The Governors of Greenland, Eske Brun and Aksel Svane, via the 1925 law concerning the ruling of Greenland, declared Greenland a self-ruling territory, believing this to be in the best interests of the colony as Denmark was occupied by the Germans, and in consideration of the Monroe Doctrine.

Germany had occupied Denmark in 1940 and although the Danish government was still in power it was heavily influenced by the German occupation force. After failed attempts by the new Greenland government to secure support from the United Kingdom, they turned to the USA. On April 9, 1941 the Danish ambassador Henrik Kauffmann, against the instructions of his government, signed an agreement with the US government, allowing the presence of American troops and making Greenland a de facto US protectorate. The cryolite mine in Ivittuut was an asset and made it possible for Greenland to manage fairly well during the war. The United States supplied the island and sent patrol boats to survey the east coast of Greenland although this was limited by the ice and bad weather. Eske Brun, reluctant to ask America for large scale help, set about creating a "Greenland Army" known as the North-East Greenland Sledge Patrol, consisting of fifteen men. Their task was to patrol the coast line to discover a possible German landing. The sledge patrol was at the same time an effort to show the Allies the willingness of the Danes to fight against the Axis. Stay tuned for more in our next blog post.