7 April 2016
Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Elevation: 51m
Latitude: 78°22’32″N
Longitude: 15°62’67″E
Weather: Snowing
Temperature: -4°C
Distance covered today: 0km
Distance to North Pole: 1316km
Ed is feeling: Chipper

More unwelcome news as the Russians are now searching for a third location
on which to construct the Camp Barneo runway. The second site proved too
fragile and has cracked beyond repair. There are climatic perturbations but
I feel we are directly witnessing the impact of climate change on the high
Arctic. The general trends for ice coverage and ice volume over the last
30yrs are a decline. I am planning on recording actual sea ice thickness
data when I’m on the ice to help supplement satellite data. Eric Philips
one of the worlds most experienced polar guides informs us this has
happened before and we remain confident of reaching our goal. Have moved
hotels again as extending bookings is getting tricky (especially as 54
competitors in the Polar marathon have now arrived in town!). We
send good wishes to the Russians working day and night on the ice. Also
I hugely appreciate the words of support and encouragement coming
through on social media they are truly uplifting, thank you.