Christina Franco North Pole Solo 2010

Christina’s transcript of her first voice message to expedition HQ – 4/3/10 01.29 GMT

Hello, this is Christina at camp number 1, the third of March. My position is 83.0148 North and 77.2937 West. After having been dropped off at McClintock Inlet we have managed to travel just about 4 nautical miles, which is fantastic! In the inlet it was quite hard going, the snow was very deep. As the day went on the terrain got easier, got flatter, got harder, got more packed and it was easier to pull the two together. I did have a go at trying to pull one at a time, and boy what a difference, one is so light compared to carrying the two, but I certainly will save that trick for later on when the rubble gets very bad. The ice shelf is another hundred meters or so and then I expect the rubble to start, so I think that technique will come in to it’s own in the next few days.

Once we left there were three teams that left on the plane together, all of them strong boys with lots of kit that was divided between them so they took off like a shot and I saw glimpses of them ahead but then caught up with one of the teams and have camped not too far away from them. It is about 35 below zero, I’m in my tent, everything is drying out, inside is probably quite warm. My eyes are a bit teary from the smoke even though I’ve opened up all my vents. I’m warm, I’m happy, pleased to have done quite a bit on the first day and look forward to heading north.

I walked for about 5 hours today, so that’s about one nautical mile an hour which doesn’t seem very great and certainly felt quite heavy, and hope to keep that up because then the pole will get closer one step at a time. But the first day is done, fantastic news! I had a bit of trouble with my stove, they were leaking fuel like mad, got my hands very cold but all was sorted out and so dinner is on its way.

That’s all from me, good night and speak tomorrow.

Picture: © Luca Bracali

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