This is a one month extract from Gary's diary...

1st February 2004
3rd February 2004
4th February 2004
5th February 2004
6th February 2004
7th February 2004
8th February 2004
9th February 2004
10th February 2004
11th February 2004
12th February 2004
13th February 2004
14th February 2004
15th February 2004
16th February 2004
17th February 2004
18th February 2004
19th February 2004
20th February 2004
21st February 2004
22nd February 2004
24th February 2004
25th February 2004
28th February 2004
2nd March 2004
3rd March 2004
Diary Extract - 2004
13th February
10.30am. I'm just back from running on the river, a thin slither of mauve sun reluctantly showing itself in the east. It's forty below zero. Freezing breath around my eyes make them feel like clotting wounds.
 
Metal and extreme cold don't mix. Skin can rip as a result. There are several people with their wedding fingers missing from such experiences in the Arctic. Similarly, extremely cold alcohol freezes instantly to lips, tongue and any other tissue it touches. If the liquid reaches the back of the throat and the oesophagus, the resulting injury is often lethal.
 
A bag carrying my steel flasks, an emergency stove, a little food, oversized matches, a 14" ice knife and rescue flares fits neatly at the back of my sled.
 
I checked my batteries were charged from the solar panel. Even on dull days batteries charge. I don't want to carry spent batteries and I don't want to throw them into the wilderness.

 
I wait for the sun a little longer, boil some water in my cabin. From a steel vacuum flask I pour the water into a beaker and throw it skyward. It instantly bursts into snow and ice.I cut and wrap moleskin around specific gear and areas constantly handled. Cold metal and plastic can flash freeze skin. Gaping wounds don't heal too well in this cold so I pack a paramedics skin staple gun. I use Super Glue to bring folds of a small wound together.These oversized matches are easy to handle with gloves on.To use a knife with heavy mitts on I put a split ring through the blade.The emergency stove is always packed into Outdoor Designs dry bag. These bags don't crack in the cold.A lightweight, hand-sized solar charger recharges my AA nickel metal hydride batteries. All the Petzl head-torches, Garmin GPS units, emergency strobe lights and camera batteries I use are compatible with AA batteries.On all journeys I pack four types of emergency distress flares. They must be protected from moisture and I keep mine in an Outdoor Designs dry bag.

[<< back] [more >>]
 
You are here: Home > Diary
 

Site CreditsAll photographs copyright © Gary Rolfe
Home | Gary | Why? | Patron | Photography | Articles | Diary
Maps | Gary's Dogs | Sponsors & Endorsements | Contact