The Arctic-Arc: Sunshine brings the energy back
Arctic Arc: men and sledges - Copyright: R. Robert / IPF
© International Polar Foundation
Even though Alain Hubert and Dixie Dansercoer are progressing well and quickly towards the North Pole, the mood was glum a few days ago: indeed, because of the bad weather the explorers could not use the solar panels to recharge the batteries of all the electronical material and satellite telephone, the satellite telephone meaning their security.
During an expedition, explorers nowadays have a connection with the outer world: the satellite telephone. They can thus receive valuable information such as the meteorological forecast, for example, or call regularly their team to say where they are and how they are doing. If a major problem occurs, the telephone allows them to call for help. Moreover, if the regular calls stop, an alarm is set off and rescue teams can be sent off to look for them.
During any expedition, explorers must carry with them everything they will need. It seems obvious they have to take food, clothes and a tent, but it isn't as obvious to think of batteries for the electronical material. Photographic cameras, filming cameras, laptop and satellite telephone all need energy to function.
Alain Hubert and Dixie Dansercoer left with 3 sets of batteries that can be recharged by solar panels... if there is sunshine. And that's the problem: there hasn't been enough sunshine since the beginning of the expedition and the battery charge is running low! Already 2 batteries have been totally used up...
Our explorers have decided to call their team less frequently, in order to save energy. Spirits were low, as the days of bad weather kept following each other.
But the sun finally did come back and now it seems to not want to leave anymore.
Spirits are high again because Alain and Dixie have been able to start recharging the batteries, even though the solar pannels have been somewhat damaged. They are therefore now taking great care not to damage them more, recharging the batteries only in the morning, during their 3 hour preparation time before departure.
Every morning, it takes 3 hours for them to remove the ice that covers their equipment, to fold up the tents and to load their sledges. The batteries can charge during this time, allowing them to regularly send us their impressions! Hope and pleasure are back with the sunshine:
"It has been one of the most beautiful days", explained Alain by telephone yesterday. "First, we followed a lead which was several kilometres wide. It looked like an inside sea. Furthermore, the sun shining on the ice pack and dancing amid the bluish ice made up some awesome landscapes. They were truly breath-taking..."
