Yesterday's nice? That'll be... Four hours back breaking work, six Clif bars, three cold fingers, one bruised knee, aching muscles and three tired polar travelers. Nothing is free here. Not a bad deal, though, considering how great yesterday was and we even finished on a nice flat lead. We might have been able to put a little in the bank, too. Who knows? A little over halfway into my second North Pole expedition and I still haven't gotten this place figured out.

I do know that there is a strong northerly wind blowing right now and we will most likely loose at least one mile of our hard won seven while we sleep Oh well, at least we will be starting from the same campsite (it's definitely one of those walk in sites), even if the whole campground has moved.

We were planning on sleeping in tomorrow, Easter for two hours, but when the alarm went off this morning and AJ's voice called out, 'six o'clock.' I offered a quick reply. 'Do you guys want to switch the sleep in to today?' With the alarm already gone off the damage was done; however, we all quickly agreed: back to sleep.

I had a fitful night sleep and was haunted by some disturbing dreams long into the morning ski. My legs were tired and I felt lethargic. On a positive note, I had managed to adjust my pants and Terramar base layers so my shirt was tucked in just how I like. Stopping to let Darcy scout, I found out AJ had some crazy dreams as well.

We struggled for most of the morning trying to find a good rhythm. During the first shift, we skied through an older cracked lead. Small ridges of eight inch thick slabs were easily passed. Everything was covered in older ice flowers (that look more like cauliflower) and snow. AJ thought it looked like a cracked egg shell. Darcy had the most difficult shift and had to wind in, around and over some pretty nasty sections of ice. The sun came out for a while today and brightened our spirits - and the ice. Late in the afternoon a half sun dog formed creating two short arcs of rainbow streaking up from the distant ice.

I've been waiting for a sunny day to set out my Goal0 solar panel. Today, like nearly every day, the sky mysteriously clouds as the tent goes up. With the nearly 24 hour daylight, we should get some free energy soon.

There is the person I am, the person I want to be and the person I sometimes present myself as. Are these all the same person? I hope so. Still, its a difficult balance out here to share these experiences in an honest way. There are many personal and group struggles that we don't share. My hope is that you find this story and this place, the Arctic Ocean, interesting and ultimately worth protecting.

Its a special day today besides the fact we got two extra hours sleep. Darcy is celebrating his 11th wedding anniversary with us. Sorry Carol, we wish he could be with you, too. Unfortunately, we need him for just a few more weeks. He has already told us numerous ways in which he will repay your kindness and love.

In climate news, a study published in the journal Nature: soil is slowly releasing more carbon in to in response to warming temperatures associated with climate change.

Image: A beautiful sun dog in today's late afternoon light.

The Save the Poles expedition is sponsored by Bing with major support from the University of Plymouth, Terramar, Seventh Generation, Goal0, Atlas, Sierra Designs and Optic Nerve.

Remember, it's cool to be cold. Save the Poles. Save the planet.

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