Update - August 11 Sat Phone call

Here's the latest satellite phone call from Team Sweetwater!

All of the team chimes in on this one, and it sounds like they're settling in, and having a great time.

Download VTHCall3Aug11.mp3

As you can tell by the end of the call, it seems that when the phone decides to give out, the call is over.

You can tell that, as much as I'm trying to get information from them, they're trying to get information from me. It dawned on me during the call, that they have no other way to get weather updates, unless it's from me, or passing hunters/researchers. I was fumbling around a bit looking for my weather page, and making the team wait. I'll try to not let that happen again. Difficult to get information for that area. If anyone can steer me to any weather resources that are more detailed than what I have, I would be grateful.

No white bear sightings as of yet, and weather is good. I'll start mapping out the current route/mileage, and will be posting that soon, now that I have a couple calls in the can.

Listen and enjoy.

Mark
Download Pond81108.png

Comments

[Mike Rayburn]

Great call! It is good to hear from everyone and the trip sounds more incredible each day. I would like to hear how the boats are working out since they didn't get to see them until the trip started.

[Anne]

http://en.allmetsat.com/metar-taf/nunavut-baffin-ellesmere.php?icao=CWGZ
Try this maybe for the weather..;-)

[Tom in Ottawa]

Hi Mark,

(I hope this post doesn't show-up several times, I seem to be having trouble getting a response from the TypePad server)

Thanks for the posts and the sat phone audio. We met the guys when they passed through Ottawa and it's good hear they're doing well, having fun and avoiding the land sharks.

I'm not sure where you're sourcing your weather info now but I've had a look through the civil, marine and aviation wx provided by EC and I think we can work out something fairly comprehensive from those sources.

I assume you can see my email address from this posting. Maybe you can drop me an email and I'll send you some info. That will probably be more effective than me posting a bunch of links and instructions on how to tease out the info you need.

cheers,
Tom

[sergio]

Thanks for the updates Mark - it was great to hear everyone and get a sense of their wonder over their experiences and sights so far. It's really quite different in this day of instant video and images to be listening to the team "describe" what they are experiencing - rather like crowding about the radio to listen to news events or sporting games in days gone by. Wishes for continued succes and safe journeying.

As for weather - don't know if it helps but Environment Canada's weather site also has a marine forecast link as well as the satellite images and models
http://text.weatheroffice.gc.ca/satellite/index_e.html

[Michelle Keen]

I didn't hear anything about the Magic Bar cookies Tim when Russell was describing what they were eating. Is Tim stashing the treasures he had us individually wrap?

[Joan Eccles]

And while Michelle wonders where the Magic Bar Cookies are, what happened to the 2 Kilos of chocolate I secretly smuggled into Phil's bags? Phil was laid over in Iqaluit for a couple of days on his way to Pond Inlet and was put up by an Inuit family and their six kids (!) I suspect that he gave away quite a it of chocolate there... Did Tim and his family put all the meals together? Did I hear that meals were prepared at home and then dehydreated or freeze dried? Must have been a HUGE job. Thank you!

[Mark Prator]

Thanks for the feedback regarding the weather! Very helpful. Tom in Ottawa, I may email you soon regarding your post - thanks. Great to hear the stories about our team on the way up north. Once again, I invite everyone to post freely, and often. To answer Joan's question, Tim did in fact, prepare the food for the team. He's a wonderful expedition planner, and his meals are quite varied and dammed tasty! As far as the chocolate, I will tell you from my experience, some of those kids can smell chocolate from miles away. Their sense of candy smell is much more sensitive than even the white bear!

[MooseInTheFace]

I hope the whole team is having a wonderful and safe escapade.
In the eventuality of unexpected food shortage, look in the way of my friend SquirrelEater. He might be able to
help with his innate hunting skills and serve a great BBQ in no time.

I can imagine you all with a beautiful Aurora Borealis in the background!

Affectionately, MooseInTheFace

[Michelle Keen]

Joan, As Mark noted Tim did prepare the food. I have to give my brother HUGE accolades because he overcame his fear of Walmart, since he had to make multiple trips. He HATES grocery shopping... I mean really hates grocery shopping. I offered over and over to help him out, but he did it all himself. I only made the Magic bar cookies and found the Boboli pizza sauce. I am so glad to hear they are eating so well.

[Jim Hall]

Mark,

Thanks for keeping us updated on the team's travels. The recorded phone calls are great.

I work with Tim Keen in TN, and check this site often for the latest news. Hope they are taking many photos, and that their good weather holds.