Crazy Arctic Guy has trouble on Day Two, doesn't turn back

I will be closely monitoring the suicide...er, attempt to cross the Arctic on foot in winter...of Extreme athlete Mike Horn over the next two months. Daily dispatches come to me via email, and can come to you too. Visit here to get 'em, or keep reading them here at my blog...

I wish him well, but I expect he has underestimated the instability of the environment, and is headed for disaster...

Quote of the Day: 'Today we walked for six and a half hours non-stop against strong NW winds blowing horizontal snow at 7-8m a second. With the strong water currents the ice was moving quickly - we had to move fast before the ice separated us completely...'

MIKE DATA LOG
Position: N 81°16'496' E 95°39'906'
Distance travelled: 19km, but with SE drift of ice only advanced 2km in the right direction.
Wind: Strong NW
Days of food left: 65

TOUGH FIRST DAY FOR MIKE AND BORGE ON FAST MOVING SEA ICE...

It was an excited Mike that called today (Sunday) at 1530hrs GMT. He was very happy to say that he and Borge had now left Cape Artichesky and were travelling on the sea ice.

They woke up early in the morning to find that north-westerly winds had blown overnight, blowing the ice to the land on the western side of the Cape. They quickly went out to determine whether or not they could set off and saw that the ice was solid - a big thick stable plate of ice - giving them the perfect opportunity to head off, say goodbye to the land and at long last start their expedition.

Mike and Borge worked hard today. They walked for six and a half hours non-stop against strong NW winds blowing horizontal snow at 7-8 metres a second. On two occasions they came across open water and needed to use the inflatable rafts to get across. With the strong water currents the ice was moving quickly so they needed to move fast before the ice separated them completely. Luckily both these occasions went without mishap.

Mike and Borge are thrilled to have finally left the land and to have started their expedition. When they rang today they said that they had walked 19km but with the south-easterly drift of the ice they only advanced 2km in the right direction.

Goodness knows where they'll wake up, but in any case the guys are happy, and sure that they made the right decision to leave the land.

We're looking forward to hearing from them tomorrow and to follow their progress. For latest news on Mike and Borge go to: www.mikehornnorthpole.com