At 10 am, after drifting south 5 km, an Mi-8 helecopter collected us from our patch amongst the rubbled ice scape.  We flew over the chaos below to a point 5 km from the pole and for the 2nd time watched the chopper fly into the distance.  It was a glorious blue day.  A bit numbed we strapped on our skis and headed north, but fittingly, the mayhem was too much and we booted over a demolition zone to arrive at the North Pole at 2 pm.  Relieved to have arrived at our goal, we felt nothing but elation.  To have trekked more than 100 km through the arctic ice of 2007 is to have achieved joy and success.  What a feeling to be camped at the pole, the most northerly habitation in the world.  Check in tomorrow for a summary from the beer-filled town of Lonyearbean.

With a smile on our faces and a kick in our stride we faced another 12 hour day in the harness.  But alas, the light was again flat and we groped through the madness, like driving a car with a translucent windscreen.  I'm route finding, often followed by Sara, with a string of boys trailing to lend her a hand through the rubble.  Our short breaks are used to cram food in our guts and to laugh at a joke or three.  Crossed another lead with the kayaks.  The evening sked brought news that our flight from Borneo to Longyearbean is earlier than expected and we have no choice but to accept a 20 km lift to within 10 km of the pole.  Heartbreaking news but we've done all we possibly could.  We skied 13 km but lost 4 km overnight.  Message from Peter to his wife - Dont forget to feed the chooks!

Ready to play ball but the arctic was not very sporting.  Awoke to an ashen, overcast sky.  Groping around in the murk and the mire we stumbled north but were stymied by a huge pressure zone of fractured floes, rubble and leads of open water.  Crossed two leads using our kayaks, a bit of fun amongst the hard work.  In the afternoon we were blessed with flat ice but the flat light  made it difficult to capitalise.  This team has worked its guts out but with the most difficult season in memory we may not reach our goal in time.  Send us your good vibes!  Lost 3 km to drift overnight.  We need to make 42 km in 2 1/2 days and no drift.

Scorched across the ice to cover 17 km in 8 hours of skiing.  Still suffering an annoying chill breeze in our faces and southerly drift.  Pete's in the spotlight today, aside from his cold fingers he's a natural out here, balanced on his skis, strong, with lots of polar logic.  Friends with Paul for over 40 years, they make a great comedy duo.  All going well we'll arrive at the pole on the 28th.  Temperature around -20 C.  Lost 3 km overnight to drift, 50 km to go.  Half way!

Rubble rubble toil and trouble.  A difficult 10 km day of cold headwind, W-SW drift and fields of rubble.  One area was a mass of heaving, crunching and grinding ice, cracking under our skis as we walked in wonder.  Such a powerful environment.  Rob's fractured wrist is a little less painful.  Never having skied before he is a natural - well balanced, strong and feisty.  He will be the youngest Aussie to ski to the North Pole.  Had to move camp in the middle of the night as the ice was breaking up around us.  Badly need sleep.  62 km to go.

Another top day covering a bit over 16 km in 8 hours of skiing.  Lost 2 km to drift.  A still day and good surface, no open water yet.  Some incredible ice scenery today.  The man of the moment is Paul Bonney.  He has bad blisters from new boots but soldiers on without fuss and has a smile that ignites the entire arctic.  At 49 he will be the oldest Australian to ski to the North Pole.  Thanks to everyone for sending messages, keep them coming.  71 km to the pole.

Almost perfect day, very still and around -15 C.  First hour very slow, lots of ice rubble but it improved to an ideal surface.  Sara was forced to abort her North Pole attempt last year due to inexperience but has since skied to the South Pole.  She's now a gun skier and pulls her sled like a demon.  She hopes to be the first Indian woman to ski to both poles.  Go girls!  Skied a tiring 16 km but lost 1.5 km to drift overnight.  86 km to the pole.

Arrived at Borneo yesterday afternoon.  It's great to be on the ice!  Flew by helicopter to a little over 100km from the North Pole.  Skied for 3 hours and covered 4km in almost perfect weather but drifted backwards 2km overnight.    Rob is sking with a suspected fractured wrist from a fall on the ice in Longyearbean but we are all in great shape and excited to be here.       Position 89.06, -15 C.

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