Some kite sledging action!

20th November
Today the winds were well over 30mph, which meant that the experienced temperature was well below -30 deg C, far too cold for science work. As it was the second lie-up day in a row we didn’t want to spend yet more time in the tents reading, writing and playing games; we wanted to burn some pent-up energy. Thirty minutes later, some sledge traces, an eight-man bothy (shelter) and a small sledge had been turned into a kite sledging spectacular!

I lay on the sledge, held on to the ropes and let the bothy inflate into a giant kite. The person standing next to me released me and I sped off down the glacier at speeds of about 15-20 mph. Every teacher had their own style, mine involved going straight, picking up speed and meeting a violent end! All very good fun and it helped to stave off cabin fever.