Hello everyone.

Well, just a few days to go… and a massive THANK YOU to some very special people!!

Norway was a vital time to focus on the expedition ahead.  In the polar regions it is crucial to do your research and get your kit exactly right, otherwise it can result in catastrophic disasters.  There are so many decisions to make. 

One such decision is working out what kind of ski to use.  To be able to cross country ski, which we will be doing for our first two weeks, you need a longer ski and soft boots, but to kite ski, which we will be doing from the middle of the ice cap onwards, you want a shorter ski and hard boots. 

We cannot afford to take the weight of two lots of skis and boots – so what should we do?!  I believe the best starting point is taking the advice of the Norwegians.  They live in these conditions for the majority of the year and use skis like we use bicycles.  So I researched Ronny’s advice and have gone for an Asnus ski (185cm) and Scarpa F3 boots with dynafit bindings.  This is a compromise of the kit being able to do both disciplines sufficiently. 

We have a dilemma with every bit of kit as weight is so important and every gram counts.  Often there may be a better piece of kit but it comes at a cost of being too heavy, so we compromise with something that is not perhaps perfect.  For example, for our last 5km of the route, there is no snow left on the glacier, so we will have to put our sledge and everything that we have been dragging onto our backs and carry this out.  This means that we therefore have to carry a rucksack and trainers across the ice cap just for the last few kilometres. 

My sponsor, Cairn Energy, very kindly offered to bring a rucksack to us from the other side, but I felt that we would therefore not be able to say we had done it unsupported, so had to decline the offer!  So the dilemma on that one is whether to take something more comfortable, but heavier, or the opposite. 

Again, with crampons, when we have to walk off icier part of glaciers, do we take better, heavier crampons or lightweight less sturdy ones?  I am going for the heavy version!

Towards the end of our time in Norway, the wonderful Hannah Mckeand came out to train with us.  Hannah joined the team in January and is very strong but also has a wonderful sense of humour of anyone – a crucial characteristic in the desperateness of polar journeys.  Hannah was new to downhill skiing and kiting but after a quick one line instruction at the top of a glacier on her first day, in fog and at altitude, she soon got the hang of it!

Noway was a huge success and on return to Scotland I took a trip back to Space Physio to tell them the good news.  My follow up appointment with my knee surgeon, Gordon McKay, went well although he asked me why I had taped my good knee…  When I hung my head and confessed that it had a tendonitis ( very painful for the last few days in Norway due to over-compensating) he put another cortisone injection into it. 

It left my physio Stephen and I trying to work out how I could train at all in my last few days before I go to Greenland.  Again I took their advice (against a voice inside me screaming to get training) and rested the ‘good’ knee this time!  True to their words, 5 days later I was back in the gym. 

Stephen and I are trying out a new type of strapping (rather than zinc oxide) called kinesiotape.  This is breathable tape, so allows the heat out.  (If heat builds up this otherwise results in a sweat which can quickly turn into ice and cause frost bite, so avoiding any sweating anywhere is critical).  The idea is to tape the patella to reduce the amount of strain from the quad muscle.  Obviously there is no taping that has been tried and tested in minus 30 degrees, so the manufacturers are also looking forward to seeing how it performs. 

I have spent the final few days going to the dentist, (sore tooth from eating so much sugary food to try and get the extra fat!) and finalising equipment.  Anything metal needs to be wrapped in duct tape (as in the extreme cold your fingers would stick to the metal).  Everything is measured in grams on the scales from goggles to hair bobbles.  To get the weight down, many adventures saw off the end of their toothbrush and even cut labels out of their clothing to reduce any weight.  Everything also has to be watertight for snow storms but in the lightest possible way.

It is humbling to think of all the people who have helped, guided and supported me through this journey so far;

All those who have pledged to sponsor the team for the children’s orphanage:

Sir Bill Gammell, Ian Watt, Mike Watts, Simon Thomson, Nicola Harkness and everyone at Cairn Energy.  A truly supportive title sponsor. 

Lindsay Whitelaw for all his support.

Stephen Mutch for his excellent guidance through rehabilitation.

Gordon Mackay for his generous surgery and injections.

Karen Cram for never doubting me despite injuries .

Giles Squire for his time and believing in an unknown potential.

Mat Durham for building the website.

Matt Spencerley for teaching me in Greenland last year.

Stephen Jones for his help on budgets.

Russell Waneless for his strong sports massage hands.

Caroline Williams for her support, tyre dragging and massages.

Ossur knee braces for their amazing braces given in record timing.

The Scott Polar Research Institute for their support and photographs.

The NHS Edinburgh emergency dentistry nurse.

The garage on Montgomery Street who pumped my tyres free of charge, and for Dan Thomson in Leith for donating them.

The Royal Geographic Society.

John Apps and Richard Lyon for their medical advice.

Richard Worth for his advice on core stability.

Craig Ali for his advice on training.

Jeremy Scott for his time and support.

And most of all my amazing family and friends for all their love, support and encouragement during the ‘it's always darkest before dawn’ times!

Fiona

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See Fiona's expedition website: www.greenlands-children.co.uk