Congratulations to the Arctic Fox Mission! Today the team reached the North Pole - the top of the world, where all time zones converge and all lines of longitude meet! It was another beautiful day with a bright blue sky that made the snow sparkle like diamonds in the sun. Upon reaching the North Pole the team celebrated with hugs, handshakes, laughter, tears, and plenty of photos to document the occasion.
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| The team taking a break from skiing during the final miles to the North Pole. |
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| Standing at 90 degrees North, the Geographic North Pole! |
After celebrating their achievement and internalizing the moment, the team set up camp and prepared for a continuation of the festivities. The green dining tent was converted into a special salon for the first-ever official North Pole Poetry Slam in honor of the Arctic Fox Mission team leader and acclaimed poet Mr. Nubo Huang. Each team member shared a special poem (or two, or three...) and together the team celebrated friendship, poetry, family, adventure, and the Arctic, whose 24 hour sun was circling overhead.
The team expects to be picked up tomorrow by helicopter and returned to the Borneo basecamp, from which they will fly back to Longyearbyen. They have phoned in some very special audio reports, including poetry, so make sure to listen to each of the audio files below, and check back in again tomorrow for another update from the team. Once again, a huge CONGRATULATIONS to the Arctic Fox Mission on their very successful expedition! Way to go!!!
Interesting trivia: Strange as it may sound finding the exact North Pole can be a challenge, even with a GPS. Sometimes it is possible to look for 5 or 10 minutes within a 20 square foot area! There is no sign or post marking the spot (it would drift away in a few minutes) and all the while that a person is looking for 90.00.000 N to appear on their GPS the ice beneath them is in constant motion. Thus, it is like searching for a precise location while on a moving treadmill. It makes it all the more special when the GPS flashes that special number 90.00.000. The North Pole.
Interesting trivia: Strange as it may sound finding the exact North Pole can be a challenge, even with a GPS. Sometimes it is possible to look for 5 or 10 minutes within a 20 square foot area! There is no sign or post marking the spot (it would drift away in a few minutes) and all the while that a person is looking for 90.00.000 N to appear on their GPS the ice beneath them is in constant motion. Thus, it is like searching for a precise location while on a moving treadmill. It makes it all the more special when the GPS flashes that special number 90.00.000. The North Pole.
