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Is it easier now because of climate change? (Not to take anything away from the accomplishment, it might actually be harder due to how climate change works.)

therealdrag0 8y ago
Where was a report recently that said some parts of Antarctica have grown in amount of snow. So that might make it harder or make there be more "land" to cover?
codezero 8y ago
If anything I would wonder if it’s easier because they can contact the outside world. Having a sat phone, gps, and a sympathetic ear had to help. At one point he got a call from Elton John! Imagine the morale boost :) also, knowing there is an escape hatch. Someone to send a rescue team etc...
- paultannenbaum 8y ago
  It was actually Paul Simon that he got the call from. Agreed it must have been a huge morale boost.
  - codezero 8y ago
    Doh. Thanks for the correction!
gameswithgo 8y ago
It wouldn't change how far he was going, as he was crossing the actual land part, not ice extent. Might be 1 or 2 degrees warmer than it was 50 years ago or something.
- Chris_Chambers 8y ago
  Please provide a source for your claim regarding the alleged increased temperature.
sky_rw 8y ago
As I understand it, a big part of the challenge that is mitigated by technological advancement is nutrition. It is incredibly difficult to carry enough calories with you to support the journey. Colin's food supply was largely custom made by a nutrition company named Standard Process.
s_y_n_t_a_x 8y ago
At that temp 2 degrees is negligible.
- deleted 8y ago
  [deleted]
hanley 8y ago
It was actually much harder this year due to unexpected higher temperatures for this time of year, more snowfall, and whiteout conditions which all led to slower skiing. Many explorers failed to accomplish their goals this year due to poor conditions. https://explorersweb.com/category/poles/antarctic/ https://explorersweb.com/category/poles/antarctic/

therealdrag0 8y ago

Where was a report recently that said some parts of Antarctica have grown in amount of snow. So that might make it harder or make there be more "land" to cover?

codezero 8y ago

If anything I would wonder if it’s easier because they can contact the outside world. Having a sat phone, gps, and a sympathetic ear had to help. At one point he got a call from Elton John! Imagine the morale boost :) also, knowing there is an escape hatch. Someone to send a rescue team etc...

paultannenbaum 8y ago
It was actually Paul Simon that he got the call from. Agreed it must have been a huge morale boost.
- codezero 8y ago
  Doh. Thanks for the correction!

gameswithgo 8y ago

It wouldn't change how far he was going, as he was crossing the actual land part, not ice extent. Might be 1 or 2 degrees warmer than it was 50 years ago or something.

Chris_Chambers 8y ago
Please provide a source for your claim regarding the alleged increased temperature.

sky_rw 8y ago

As I understand it, a big part of the challenge that is mitigated by technological advancement is nutrition. It is incredibly difficult to carry enough calories with you to support the journey. Colin's food supply was largely custom made by a nutrition company named Standard Process.

s_y_n_t_a_x 8y ago

At that temp 2 degrees is negligible.

deleted 8y ago
[deleted]

hanley 8y ago

It was actually much harder this year due to unexpected higher temperatures for this time of year, more snowfall, and whiteout conditions which all led to slower skiing. Many explorers failed to accomplish their goals this year due to poor conditions. https://explorersweb.com/category/poles/antarctic/ https://explorersweb.com/category/poles/antarctic/