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ExplorersWeb Week in Review
13:14 p.m. EST Mar 27, 2004
Expedition fever is on as the world migrates to the Himalayas, but a final search for an Arctic trooper steals the hearts in the world of adventure.
Last Friday the search for Domnick was "paused" and pleas went out to Finnish companies to help out with funds. Dominick's employer offered 20 000 Euros but more is needed said PolarCircle/Cerpolex. As private efforts began Monday to raise the money, news came by announcement from Cerpolex that the search had been aborted altogether as all hope was out for Dominick's survival.
No way, said the community and polar veteran Fiona's was one of the pleas for Dominick:
"Dominick took two satellite telephones and one ARGOS locator beacon... Since I do know first hand how ‘both’ devices can malfunction in extreme climates, part of me cannot help but wonder if she is still okay - and that she simply cannot tell us.
It is as much human nature to explore our beautiful planet - as it is to kick a football. People with Dominic’s drive and character serve society well because they inspire ordinary people not to fear meeting their own life challenges. So yes, whilst polar travel doesn’t appeal to all - let’s hope the resources are found to continue searching for someone who might be still be alive…"
Not giving up on Dominick - search conducted in wrong area? we asked after examining the search reports. In fact there have been only two full searches for her, the first a rectangle of 100 km of latitude (East-West) and about 20 km of longitude (North-South), If it was young ice, "ideal for expeditions", and she had a "normal speed of 8,5 km in 2,5 hours" (all statements from Cerpolex), Dominick would have traveled with a speed of at least around 2,5 km/hour - or 15 km per day. This placing her, in fact, at a minimum of 75 km North of her starting point, the day the search for her was conducted no more than 20 km North (according to Cerpolex own statements). The second search was conducted West off the current expeditions positions.
Comparisons with other polar skiers confirmed the possibility of the daily distance (15 km/day - 8 NM); In 2000, Rune and Torry averaged half that in the same time frame and they were loaded with gear for a full crossing. Paul Landry and several of his teams averaged 6-8 NM in the first longitude, also called "the Devils maze" going from Canada, where the ice conditions are known to be worse than the first degree going from Russia. In fact, the fastest expedition to the North Pole is one of two Swedes in 2001 - 42 days and unsupported. Although Dom could have died already at her starting point, facts now showed that if she survived the search for her had far from covered all of her possible locations.
Covering the tracks? we asked the next day. While most of the Polar community was devastated that the search had been aborted prematurely, Cerpolex now convinced the Finnish media and Dom's hometeam that there was no reason to continue. Our Finnish readers translated: "The official Russian announcement practically means that they think the search should now be over. The announcement from the Suomen Latu (Dom's employer) means that they too now believe that there is nothing to do. The Finnish police asked help from the Russian authorities. They authorities in Russia had a helicopter and searched for Dominick. They found her skiing track and followed it on skis. The track ended when they reached open sea water. The information came yesterday night to Finnish police authorities. The Russians were very sorry about the results of their research."
What search was this? The one they did the first time, covering 20 km North, it turned out. Now there were also reports to media that this was all Dominick's own fault anyway. "We are devastated for Dominick and once again urge Cerpolex, her Finnish sponsors and Dom's home camp to not yet give up on a girl in a situation where there are no proof that she is still not alive" ExplorersWeb wrote that day.
Next morning, we received desperate mails from Finland begging us to do something. "I think most of the Finns have given up of finding Dominic. The search must continue! I hope you could do something for her, couldn't you???" wrote Mari. And: "I don't know what to think about this (article in Finnish newspaper), I feel so bad. The main problem is now that people believe these news, none wants to help no more and give money" wrote Raija.
Private effort for new search started the next morning. Dominick's friends in Finland wrote to ExWeb they had tried for several days to raise money and organize a private search for Dominick. All the while Cerpolex had been unwilling to aid in their efforts. "As long as there is a reasonable chance of her survival, the search should continue" polar rescue experts told ExplorersWeb the same day. A new search is now organized, outside of Cerpolex. Donations towards the search are deeply appreciated.
Due to practical reasons (fuel and military area restrictions over the weekend) the search will take place March 31, in connection to the establishment of the Barneo base on April 1. 2 helicopters, fully fuelled, will search for ten hours in areas yet not researched. A team of International polar skiing veterans are working closely with the search pilots and local, Russian polar veterans to determine the search area. Russian veterans knowledge of local ice conditions and International polar skiers knowledge of ice travel are combined. Current expedition positions are examined one by one since their start, excluding rest time from travel time, to determine correct drift, as the expeditions are located more East than normal. Radar satellite images are negotiated from a satellite company with a 50 km square and, in ideal conditions, 60 cm resolution.
The world's call for Dominick Many, many mails reached ExplorersWeb offices from Finland and around the world: "I have been following your news, and that on Dominick's site, on a daily basis. I am overjoyed to hear of this new search effort. I am not a polar adventurer on any level (I am writing from Boston) but after what I have read about the conditions and about Dominick's skill, I am sure that this new search is the right thing to do. This is definitely a person who would seek -- and know how -- to survive. The land team owes her this effort, as she went out with the trust in such support. Good for you and shame on Cerpolex, even if they turn out to be correct!"
The other North Pole teams had their own problems. Pack ice and pressure ridges, split boots, wet feet, frostnips, headwind, whiteout and 6 hour days of skiing have caused Ben and Wave slow progress. Bettina and JG, trudging forward after a night of drifting south, made 3.2NM in a day of whiteout. Not happy about their progress, Bettina and JG traveled ten hours Friday. Ben and Wave are now across the 83rd and much farther East than expected, at nearly 99 degrees. Bettina and JG are now 80 km ahead of Ben and Wave.
Sedna, the Goddess of the Arctic Ocean and a recently discovered planet beyond Pluto may have been protecting the Earth last weekend. A 100 foot wide asteroid flew past earth, on this side of the moon, possibly the closest encounter ever at 26,500 miles away.
Teams arriving at Everest daily, Rebel fighting continues The Mexican-Canadian, Russian North Face, Irish, Armenian soloist, and many more arrived in Kathmandu or trekked towards BaseCamp this week amidst more fighting between Nepali government forces and Maoist rebels. This week saw some of the worst death tolls related to the Maoist uprising, roughly 500 Maoists were killed. There are still concerns about the fighting, expeditions in the area are advised to cooperate with the rebels to avoid incident.
Bio-engineer to test Summit O2 system Mathias Baumann will be testing the Summit O2 system bringing a unique medical examination in high altitude trials. Last year the British Royal Navy team used the Summit system and gave it very good marks. Mathias intends to push the system to its limits, but already has high expectations.
Young gun wins the solo rowing race, Worlds oldest Ocean Rower arrives in second place March 19, Sam Knight, 23, crossed the finish line becoming the winner of the solo class in ORSARR 2004. Pavel Rezvoy, 65, crossed the finish line 2.5 days after Sam.
The dish you can't eat off of and other non-edible electronics The Italian Everest/K2 national team tested their VSAT connection this week. They will be hauling to BC a large satellite dish with very capable data transfer rates. The Italians have also announced that their prototype GPS system is ready. The GPS Georadar will be brought to the peaks of both Everest and K2 to take exact measurements of height, factoring in snow and ice depths. It was also discovered that Namche Bazaar is WiFi wired. The BC internet café from last year is now set up in Namche and broadcasting a wireless hotspot some several yards in all directions.
Read those stories and more at ExplorersWeb.com
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