Ski training while delayed...

Originally scheduled to fly to the ice today the team made good use of the weather delay by heading out for a ski training. The weather in Longyearbyen today was not as windy as yesterday, and mostly sunny. The fjord, which lies at the edge of town and is home to many seals and the occasional polar bear looked especially beautiful.

The Advent Fjord at the edge of  Longyearbyen

The team will likely have a pre-flight briefing tomorrow which includes weighing all equipment and learning more about recent weather updates. The current schedule has the team departing on April 6 for the ice. At this time of year they can expect temperatures ranging from -5 degrees F (-20 C) to -40 degrees F (-40 C). The ice conditions will vary from day to day, but in general they will likely have to navigate around several leads (opening in the ice revealing water), and several pressure ridges (ridges of ice formed by colliding ice pans) every day....sometimes every hour!

Make sure to listen to today's audio report below, and check back in tomorrow for another update from the team!