Team Independence '09

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,

I hope things go well for you and that you can fulfill your dream. But not at the cost of your life.

This is for Darlene. I am sure you are keeping track. Please phone if you have any news of Dave that is not on the internet. You can get my number from Mom or Linda if you know her number.
Jan

Dave and Chris. You should have asked me to come. I am 71, in great shape, and a Psychologist! All the best to both of you.

Bill

Very cool way to travel to the North Pole!
Good luck be with you all

Hope all of the family and friends are doing well back home really thinking of all of you and miss you. We are really turning our minds to making good well thought out decsions but we do remain directed to our goal. We do understand it might not be this time and that is ok. We are a team and there will be no splitting up we go in together and come out together and we are all very strong together.

For all the kids:

We know that it will be Ok because Santa is backing us and we look forward to bringing all of your thoughts and lists to him.

Chris out

The last couple of days have been very tough in terms of decision making. The infection which has troubled David is obviously not going away because of lack of access to IV antibioitic. Davids has always remained directed at the goal of the pole because of the importance that both of us take with important message it send in terms of breaking down barriers of accesibility and of working with the environment. His absolute focus is to push on.

Walt Disney once said, "There is great comfort and inspiration in the feeling of close human relationships and its bearing on our mutual fortunes - a powerful force, to overcome the "tough breaks" which are certain to come to most of us from time to time."
I would only like to add that what Mr. Shannon and Mr. Watkins are attempting to do and will certainly achieve is amazing. This will certainly become a moment in history that the two of you and the rest of watching from home will remember forever. Thank you guys.

Hi Guys,

Just a quick update report:

It is with great concern that Dave is suffering from a urinary tract infection and the only way to effectively treat the infection is through IV antibiotics. Dave is raising no complaint. Another drastic concern is to locate a doctor who may be able to monitor it on a day by day basis. This will determine whether or not they will be able to continue with the trek to the North Pole. This is very important so no one's life will become endangered.

Dave and Chris are now en route to Norway.

*UPDATES WILL BE POSTED ON A DAILY BASIS*