WORD OF 2016'S POLAR NEW YEAR'S THAW HAS YET TO REACH
Breitbart's answer to Admiral Perry didn't mention that this new world record- sailing within ten degrees of the North Pole- was achieved not by some nuclear icebreaker, but a pair of 50 foot sloops, nor does he note last winter's record-breaking Arctic thaw, which saw above freezing temperatures at 85 degrees North on New Year's day ! My fellow Fellows of the Explorer's Club have this to say about cruising a thousand miles north of Alaska's North Slope:
Ship of Fools IV:
Another Green Arctic Expedition Scuppered by Ice
A sailing expedition to the North Pole to raise awareness of global warming has been forced to turn back, 590 nautical miles short of its destination, after the yachts found their passage blocked by large quantities of an unexpected frozen white substance.
According to Arctic Mission’s website:
A meeting of the four skippers was held led by Erik de Jong, with Pen Hadow present, and it was agreed further northward progress would increase considerably the risks to the expedition, with very limited scientific reward. The decision to head south, back to an area of less concentrated sea ice in the vicinity of 79 degrees 30 minutes North, was made at 18.30 (Alaskan time).
Arctic Mission – The Voyage
Arctic Mission sets off from Nome in Alaska (USA) in the first week of August. The expedition team will not see land again for six weeks. We will cover about 3,500 miles by the time they return to harbour at Nome in mid-September.
Our two 50 foot yachts, Bagheera and Snow Dragon II, are specially built to sail in waters with sea ice, and the four skippers, two on each boat, are exceptionally experienced in polar seas, and with navigation and safety procedures in sea ice.
