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Twins to the 4Caps: The Greenland Campaign

  • Greenland Crossing Part II

      30 October 2014

    I hope you enjoyed reading the first instalment of the twins journey across Greenland.

    You can now continue the read. Amongst it you will learn how epic downhill skiing on the ice cap can be, discover whether chocolate beats noodles in the food hierarchy, if they drank 25 year old cocoa, hear about frostbite bum, learn the best place to put a beanie and much more so here’s part II - http://lyontwins.blogspot.co.nz/2014/10/greenland-fall-crossing-part-ii.html

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  • Part 1 of the story

      23 October 2014
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    Hi

    Since our return from Greenland we've been busy getting back to ‘normal life’ with the Zac trying to get his head around completion of his Masters thesis and the Josh helping people prepare for adventure via Bivouac Outdoors. Josh has also been busy writing up a blog. Here’s a link to part 1 of the expedition to the half way mark.

    http://lyontwins.blogspot.co.nz/2014/10/greenland-fall-crossing-2014-part-i.html

    Part 2 is coming soon!

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  • The Eagle Had Landed

      23 September 2014
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    Dear Supporters

    Zac and Josh arrived at Auckland Airport this afternoon and are driving to Hamilton as I write.

    I have attached a photo that was sent just before they boarded their flight from Denmark.

    The fellas will appear on Breakfast TV tomorrow morning at 7.50am and we are currently talking with the Waikato Times (one of the expedition supporters) on doing an exclusive in-depth feature.

    Rob Hamill

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  • Greenland Done & Dusted!

      19 September 2014

    Hi All

    “It’s done and dusted”! Those were the first words Zac spoke when I answered his call today. They arrived in Kangerlussuaq late this morning NZT and they’re rapt! They asked me to pass onto you all how much they appreciate all the support they have received from the beginning, during through to the completion of the Greenland ‘cap’. Thank you!

    The word from the local taxi driver is that the flight out of the town tonight (NZT) has been cancelled. Emily at Calder & Lawson is frantically trying to confirm and, if so, make alternate arrangements for their departure. If all going according to plan they will arrive back in NZ on Monday early afternoon. If not, it could be a day or two later.

    Regards

    Rob Hamill

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  • Howdy Partners

      19 September 2014

    All going well the twins will hopefully be closing in on the west coast of Greenland as I write. If confirmed I will let you know later this morning.

    I found this message from the twins in my junk mail from Wednesday. Say no more:

    SMASHD OUT 32KM.THESE KIWIS R FLYN!HT A CREVAS FIELD@5PM.CRSSD OVR 20 MAN KILLERS.SUM WER HUGE.ABOUT 4OKS LFT NW.SW MNTAINS 2DAY.LT WARMR

    Rob

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  • One day to go, perhaps!

      18 September 2014

    Hello Fellow Supporters

    I took a call from Zac today via the satellite phone. It was a brief chat and only managed to take in the enthused tones proclaiming “the best day yet”. Unfortunately I didn’t get much elaboration as to why, other than they had made good, if undefined, distance. The focus of the conversation was on whether or not they would complete the challenge in time to make the flights out of Greenland for home. All going well tomorrow will be the last day of the expedition. Wishing them well.

    Rob Hamill

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  • Body and Mind

      17 September 2014

    Howdy Supporters

    The lads are very close to completing their journey across the Greenland icecap. It was “ANTHR BG DY” for Zac and Josh with a 7am start and didn’t pack it in the day until 10pm. They covered an impressive 34km for their efforts. They are hoping to reach the coast by the afternoon of the 18th (morning of the 19th NZT) because their flight is booked to depart on the 19th. Assuming they make the flight Zac will be straight back into working on his master’s thesis at the University of Waikato. Hence the rush!

    The final word in the latest message BODY ND MIND RDY FOR RND 2. Marvellous.

    Rob

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  • Blizzard

      16 September 2014

    Since stumbling across the golf ball DYE-2 radar station Zac and Josh have had a rather full on couple of days. They had 24 hours of blizzard conditions with winds gusting over 100kph forcing them to stay put all day. At one stage they had to venture out to pile extra snow around the tent (see photo attached) to stop it from being blown away. “It was impossible to stand,” said Zac. “So we crawled around on our hands and knees with visibility at times down to 3 metres. We were out there for less than four minutes but were frozen to the bone.”

    The next morning (last night NZT) the weather settled down and they did one of their longest days, nearly 15 hours, walking 38km.

    Regards

    Rob

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  • DYE-2

      15 September 2014
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    As Zac and Josh hauled their sled over the seemingly eternal landscape a round object emerged directly in front of them. Resembling a large golf supported by a Meccano-like structure the abandoned US radar station DYE-2 emerged menacingly over horizon and is a relic of the cold war which was abandoned when the Wall came down in 1989. See the attached photo I gleaned from the net and check out the video of the facility http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8kco7dahes

    By the way, in a second note to you yesterday I mentioned www.TheGreatRace.co.nz has been supported by Gallagher and the University of Waikato, organisations who are also supporting Zac and Josh. I failed to mention the Brian Perry Charitable Trust is also supporting both events. I hope you can make it to the river banks of the Waikato tomorrow. If not, you might like to tune into Sky Sport’s live broadcast at 1pm including commentary from Mark Watson and me!

    Rob Hamill

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  • 25 year old cocoa and maple syrup

      15 September 2014

    Hello all

    Distance covered the last two days slowed 12km yesterday and 18km today. They could only walk/ski for six hours today both days due to 60kph head winds. The air temperature was -15 but the wind chill took it to -30 degrees Celsius. I reckon that’s pretty cold.

    The major problem becoming apparent is they are running out of food. That may sound hard to believe but it would seem that the lads ‘ATE 2MUCH@ STRT!’ A good learning exercise for the South Pole next year as they are now on half rations for the next 5-6 days to the finish.

    Aiding the calorie deficient they ‘FND SME 25 YR OLD COCOA ND MAPLE SYRP’. I don’t know how or where they found this but they decided to eat the discovery with ‘PANCAKES’. Tough for some.

    Rob Hamill

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  • Cold Member - Austin Powers IV

      12 September 2014

    Howdy Partners

    GR8 DY CLD WND STR8 AT US is the opening line from the lads. It was indeed a great day with more good progress travelling 28km.

    The fellas know that I base these updates on the text messages they send me so the following one had me rather bemused. I assume they’d be disappointed if I didn’t report the latest and, well, It’s newsworthy I suppose, so here ‘tis:

    ZACS LITLE MAN (LARGE) GT CLD, SO SHVD BEANIE DWN PANTS. TOASTY WARM.

    If you read one of the previous 4Caps updates about the British explorers amputation of said ‘LITLE MAN’ (or part of) from frost bite, you probably wouldn’t blame Zac for taking the necessary precautionary action.

    Happy days.

    Rob Hamill

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  • Quick update and a photo!

      10 September 2014
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    Howdy Supporters

    The lads have now had several days of consistently good snow conditions allowing them to make good progress. They made 31 km yesterday. They have guestimated that all going well they should be to the west coast of Greenland by Tuesday or Wednesday next week.

    The daily routine has them walking for 50 minutes then stopping to eat for no more than ten minutes. Any longer than this and they need to put up the tent as the cold begins to have a negative effect. They do anywhere between 9 and 12 hours a day like this. Let’s hope the good progress continues.

    Managed to get this photo yesterday from the Greenland plateau. I think it’s Zac. Then again it could be Josh.Howdy Supporters

    The lads have now had several days of consistently good snow conditions allowing them to make good progress. They made 31 km yesterday. They have guestimated that all going well they should be to the west coast of Greenland by Tuesday or Wednesday next week.

    The daily routine has them walking for 50 minutes then stopping to eat for no more than ten minutes. Any longer than this and they need to put up the tent as the cold begins to have a negative effect. They do anywhere between 9 and 12 hours a day like this. Let’s hope the good progress continues.

    Managed to get this photo yesterday from the Greenland plateau. I think it’s Zac. Then again it could be Josh!

    Rob Hamill

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  • How to outrun a polar bear

      8 September 2014

    Howdy Folks

    Sorry for the radio silence but I hadn’t heard from Zac or Josh since Tuesday. Until last night that is. They have been having trouble with charging their phone but have now resorted to borrowing their guides battery in order to keep the updates coming in.

    Zac and Josh passed the half way mark on Thursday and from here the plateau begins a gentle descent to the coast. Though it’s hardly discernible it’s literally downhill from here. More good news is the snow is more packed down making walking easier. The result of their good fortune is they completed 26kms in 9 hours on Friday.

    This far out from the coast they should be well clear of polar bears. As they near the coast they will become more prolific increasing the chance of contact with the ice caps wild life. Surprisingly, in today’s text they said POLAR BEAR SITD IN AREA ICEAX CLS. I assume that means they kept their ice axes handy. To my way of thinking the bear is too close if it’s an ice axe that is being used for defence. I’d be loading the shot gun. Either that or get prepared to outrun the guide – after all, one doesn’t have to be faster than a polar bear, just faster than one of the others!

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  • Photo Update

      3 September 2014
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    Dear Sponsors

    I hope you’re enjoying following the journey Josh and Zac are undertaking. Personally, I’m living vicariously through their adventure and have to admit I wish I was there doing it myself.

    This Friday will be Day 14 and, all going well, we expect they will pass the half-way point of the crossing. I am working with media outlets, including the Waikato Times (and Stuff.co.nz), to get it out there so watch this space.

    It would be fantastic if you could forward each of the updates to your team, clients, suppliers and friends. We want to spread the word far and wide about this good news story. In doing so we all benefit and help to inspire others.

    You may recall I sent a photo out a week or so back of the fellas at the start point in Greenland. If you saved this or are using this photo for promotional purposes could I ask that you please delete it and save this new version. It includes the Spark My Potential logo and a new supporter to the Team, BCS Group – welcome aboard!

    Finally, I welcome any suggestions and feedback you may have.

    Regards

    Rob

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  • The one about attitude, breaking the speed barrier and pies

      2 September 2014

    A few posts back I wrote about it being Josh and Zac’s toughest day yet. Well last night (NZT) that was superseded with even more challenging snow conditions to wade through. They were on the trail for 12 hours and covered a respectable 14km. After all they’re still breaking the 1km/hr speed barrier!

    Yesterday they messaged me saying: JOSH HD BD DY, NTHNG DINER WNT FIX OR RGLN BKRY VEG CURY PIE! (Josh had bad day, nothing dinner won‘t fix or Raglan Bakery vege curry pie!) Now let’s be clear here, Raglan Bakery vege curry pies (and butter chicken I might add) are indeed exceptional. However, Especially when washed down with a Mother Earth fruit bar – thank you Prolife Foods!

    The fact that today was worse but no suggestion either of them struggled suggests Josh came right. In the message they said: GR8 DY, TOUGHST YT, BT BODY ND MIND VRY GD (Great day, toughest yet, but body and mind very good). That they start off with it being a ‘great day’ yet their ‘toughest’ says much about their attitude.

    On behalf of the lads, Rob

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  • The one about going to the toilet

      1 September 2014

    Howdy Supporters

    The bad weather continued overnight (NZT) forcing Josh and Zac to cut short their days walking to six hours. They came across an abandoned tent but, thankfully, no skeletons were inside. Actually they didn’t specifically say there were none in it. I’m only surmising that on the basis that in their abbreviated text message they said FNDRS KEPRS.

    The word is they are impressively adept at using the toilet facilities, as it were. Apparently they waste no time evacuating and for good reason. In this extreme environment any extremities exposed to the elements are at risk. For example, during a polar expedition some years ago a British explorer was a little too slow at #1 time and ended up with the elements taking its toll. The poor lad’s manhood got frost bite and on completion of his journey, surgery ensued.

    Have a lovely day.

    Rob

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  • 4Caps Tough Day

      1 September 2014

    Kia ora Team

    After three days of blizzard the sun came out today but it still rated as the toughest so far with deep snow impeding progress. They walked all day and travelled 11km averaging just over 1km/hour.

    It’s just as well they’ve got Earth Sea Sky under layers and Bivouac Outdoor outer clothing because everything else is wet through, including their sleeping bags. They’re hoping the sunny weather will allow a bit of drying to take place.

    Regards, Rob

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  • 4Caps update - The one about going to the toilet

      1 September 2014

    Howdy Supporters

    The bad weather continued overnight (NZT) forcing Josh and Zac to cut short their days walking to six hours. They came across an abandoned tent but, thankfully, no skeletons were inside. Actually they didn’t specifically say there were none in it. I’m only surmising that on the basis that in their abbreviated text message they said FNDRS KEPRS.

    The word is they are impressively adept at using the toilet facilities, as it were. Apparently they waste no time evacuating and for good reason. In this extreme environment any extremities exposed to the elements are at risk. For example, during a polar expedition some years ago a British explorer was a little too slow at #1 time and ended up with the elements taking its toll. The poor lad’s manhood got frost bite and on completion of his journey surgery ensued.

    Have a lovely day, Rob

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  • 4Caps Weather

      31 August 2014

    Howdy Folks

    So much for the good weather! As you recall from the last update the guys were expecting a good few days of weather ahead. However, it turns out they've been battling with a snow storm all day, making it a tough day pulling through six inches of snow. Zac and Josh still managed to do 21.8km over 10 hours on the trail.

    If you want to check out where the lads are, just punch these coordinates into Google Maps. 66 07 17.1N 040 15 26.41W

    Hope you have had a beaut weekend.

    Rob

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  • Great progress for 4Caps

      27 August 2014

    Howdy Folks

    Good news from Greenland. The wind has abated, the sun is shining and the lads and making great progress covering approximately 20km to 10am this morning NZ time (8pm yesterday Greenland time).

    The forecast for the next few days is good so expect the progress to continue. In an abbreviated text message from the satellite phone Josh said he "cut up" his boots and now has no more problem with his blistered heels. I'm not exactly sure what 'cut up' means but suspect it's not as drastic as it sounds.

    Regards, Rob - on behalf of Josh and Zac

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  • Twins on the move!

      26 August 2014

    Dear 4Caps supporters

    The twins are well and truly on the ice now. In the last 12 hours they have travelled 12.2km as the crow flies. However, the actual distance they walked was much further circumnavigating several crevasse's on the plateau.

    Talking with Josh on the satellite phone it was apparent the wind was blowing hard - from outside that is! I could hear the sound of it whipping past the tent. Josh said the wind has been gusting to approximately 80kph the last two days. Although the air temperature "isn't too cold" - somewhere between -5 and -10 degrees - the wind chill is significant. They've made 32km since starting out 2.5 days ago which is pretty good especially given they've been walking into the wind and climbed 2,000m in elevation in that time.

    The only minor issue of concern at this stage are a couple of blisters on Josh’s heels. He said he is making some modifications with the padding inside the boots to alleviate the issue.

    Regards, Rob - on behalf of Josh and Zac

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  • The adventure has begun!

      25 August 2014

    After a 60 hour transit and a five hour boat ride followed by a couple of days of food prep, the boys have arrived at Tasilaq, their starting point. The terrain at sea level is devoid of ice and snow as you will see from the photo attached. As a result they will need to transport their provisions, equipment and sleds up a 2,500m climb to the ice cap. This is expected to take two days and several trips back and forth. From there the hauling begins in earnest.

    Regarding the photo, the fellas tell me they had to fight a whale, then a walrus and a polar bear for the internet connection. So it would seem we may not be seeing too many more, if any, photos from here on in.

    My next job is to write to Josh and Zac to let them know the ABs won 51-20. I’m sure they’ll be pleased to hear the news.

    Regards, Rob - on behalf of Josh & Zac

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  • Music???

      12 August 2014
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    Hi all,

    Absolutely blown away by the support of you guys. We've funded! In 4 days! WOW! Thank you so much!!

    Skiing 25 days will be a struggle on the mind. Music and audiobooks will keep us sane. What do you recommend? Do you have any good new music or books worth listening too?

    Flick us a line on the comment on our Facebook page!

    Chur,

    Josh and the 4Caps team.

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  • A heartfelt thanks

      8 August 2014
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    Hi guys,

    WOW! You fellas are amazing!

    Just wishing to say thanks a bunch to those who have pledged to make our dream a reality! Your support means a great deal to the 4Caps team.

    We still have a long way to go, but with your help we can get there. Let everyone you know, and everyone you meet hear about our SMP project. Even if you have to tie notes to pigeons, lets get the word out there!

    Zac and Josh

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