Exclusive Update: Fighting On - Mike Horn & Børge Ousland’s Unsupported North Pole Winter Crossing.

They’re almost at the end of the gruelling adventure, but also at the end of their supplies, wits, and well-being. The ice has been shifting, throwing them off course many times, they witnessed unprecedented rain in the middle of the arctic winter, the ice is thinner than ever, injuries are getting more frequent… How much longer can they hold on? Jessica Horn gives us the latest details.

LF: There’s a lot of sensationalist clickbait regarding Mike and Borge’s current situation, which is supposedly dire; can you set the facts straight?

“... they have lost approximately 10 to 15 kgs each, and are starting to get frostbite on their fingers, toes, and noses.”

JH: Mike and Borge are currently at 84 degrees North. They were originally hoping to reach this point earlier in the expedition but due to the terrible ice conditions, a lot of open leads, press ridges and an unfavorable drift, the two explorers did not progress as fast as they had originally hoped. They are physically and mentally exhausted, they have lost approximately 10 to 15 kgs each, and are starting to get frostbite on their fingers, toes, and noses.

They are today at their 75th day on the ice and they only have 9 days of food left, with approximately another 400 km to reach the end of the ice cap.

LF: If indeed there’s a need for rescue, how would that happen, if at all?

JH: There are multiple options, if it is an urgent need for rescue we would send a helicopter to pick them up. There is also the option to do a food drop. Otherwise, there is also the option of sending a bigger boat up North to meet up with them, but this would require them to walk more South to make it to the meeting point.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbvPICwrQuk[/embed]

LF: The Pangaea managed to get to 85 degrees latitude which is unprecedented for any sailing vessel to reach that far North without the assistance of an icebreaker. Mike’s reports often mention thinner than expected ice. Not a single polar bear encounter in the more than 2 months of crossing the North Pole. What’s your take on all these ‘anomalies’?

“Mike and Borge witnessed rain at the North Pole, rain! That is not normal.”

JH: It is clearly the drastic consequences of climate change. When Mike and Borge went to the North Pole 13 years back during their first winter expedition to the North Pole at the same time of the year, the ice was a lot thicker which made it easier to progress safely. Today, due to a warmer climate, the ice cannot rebuild itself during the winter to create a multiyear [sic] ice, which thus makes it a lot more complicated for the explorers to progress as they need to be extra careful where they step. It also creates more pressure ridges due to the acceleration of the drift which add obstacles on Mike and Borge’s path which they sometimes need to go around as they are too big to climb over. There are also drastic changes in temperatures from -40 C to +2 C which is totally abnormal. Mike and Borge witnessed rain at the North Pole, rain! That is not normal.

LF: compared to Mike and Borge’s previous crossing a few years ago, what’s the biggest difference you’ve noticed?

JH: Due to all the climate changes it is making the expedition a lot more challenging for both explorers who are experts in exploring the polar regions. Mike even says that these are some of the most dangerous conditions he's ever faced.

LF: Will you be at the pick up? What’s the first thing you’ll do when you get to be back with your dad and what’s next?

JH: Yes Annika and I will be heading to Svalbard as fast as we can and wait there with our team for Mike to tell us which PoA [Plan of Action -Eds] we need to execute. They still have 9 days of food left and will push themselves to try to make it as far South as possible and as far as their rations can take them. When I finally see him, I will squeeze him so tight and tell him how proud I am ! … and then send him straight to shower.

Thank you to Jessica Horn for the update.

A couple of years ago, The Outdoor Journal joined Mike on several adventures and while crossing the Australian desert together, he shared some of his Arctic stories with us around a cosy campfire.

[embed]https://youtu.be/kpB6VP82ZX0?t=496[/embed]

Follow Mike on Instagram here, and Børge on Instagram here.

For more great stories about Mike's adventures & Børge's adventures