Team Independence '09

Hi to Tristen, London, Kyle, Cody and Kristiina !

Hi to Eileen, Corrina, Donna, Dakota and Ashley!

So I guess we really did it!

Both David and Chris would like to thank Darren without his amazing hard work here far above the arctic circle and close to the Pole, we could not have accomplished this. He is truly one of a kind.

Even though we are still far far North in a ceremony amongst some of the top polar exploers in the world they gave David and the Team a special award reserved ussually only for a special few. This is a marble base with a compass carved into it with twisted metal spike through its center indicating the passage to the top of the world.

Chris out

Without all your support, this could never have happened. David did an amazing job and it was a tough journey but he has the depth of human spirit to face the most difficult challenges in the face of great adversity. We are both beat up a bit and David fought through his illness to make it to the top of the world, and he never wavered in his goal and his leadership was strong and evident. My one foot injured before, is still bleeding a bit and my hands were slightly frostbitten but our smiles were from ear to ear when we made it to the goal.

Congratulations Dave and Chris. !
Dave and Chris, you are such an inspiration to all human being's. Rob and I are honored to know you as fellow Canadians, but more importantly we are blessed to be able to call you our friends. Take care, and we look forward to seeing ye home safe and sound.

Rob, and Breda Hewitson

It was so wonderful to hear that you have endured the cold, the polar bears and whatever else you faced to finally reach the Pole! My congratulations to both of you and hope to see you soon.

Now, you can relax in Norway and enjoy the remainder of your stay.

Talk to you soon.

Corrina Phillips

Congratulations to you both from the Slack-Watkins family in Boston. What a wonderful accomplishment!

Very best wishes from Michael, Shawna, Aidan, Maeve, and Niall.

Congratulations Dave and Chris , You have done the impossible!
The best way to have someone succeed at something is to tell them that it can't be done... Well look at you guys! all we could see was the tail lights from Santa's sleigh and a snow squall from the runners.
Hope all are well , see you soon!

I am happy and honored to report that Dave and Chris have successfully returned from the North Pole!! As I write this they are being congratulated by the Russian team and many others who have recently returned from the pole. Everyone is full of awe and admiration at the sucess of this mission and most especially at the spirit with which David has undertaken such a noble task and brought it to fulfillment.

The snow is blowing up over he arctic circle an dvisability is limited and the temperature is very cold. Still waiting for word!

The Team is somewhere out on the ice of the frozen arctic icepack and the temperature has dropped quite low as we head into a brief
dark period. They are clearly facing great challenges in that winter desert at the top of our world. We know that David and Chris are going for the pole with a will to do it any how any way in order to get the important message out with a successful ascent.

Our hopes are prayers are with you tonight,