Crisp frosts of around – 30 C seem to be this week's theme weather. As on previous days, a brisk wind bumped up the chill factor. The wind has turned to the Northeast; it now blows repulsively into our hoods off our right flank, attacking cheeks and noses.

Today, we once again got to go swimming. The lead we found before us was several hundred meters in width, and partially covered with weak ice. It could not be crossed on skis. We did try skiing initially, but the first and second skiers in the line went straight through the rubbery ice. Fortunately we had prepared for this in advance; we all had our dry-suits on. The only `casualty´ was a single ski, lost to the depths of the Arctic Ocean. We scouted east along the lead to look for a better place to cross.

We did find a narrower place, but the ice here was just as weak, so we decided to swim across. We started out walking, then crawled on our knees, and finally slithered forward on our stomachs like penguins. Eventually the ice gave way beneath us, as expected, and we completed the crossing as a Swimming Expedition. From start to finish we pulled the sledges behind us with our normal pulkha harnesses. The first swimmer acted as an `icebreaker´, making it easier for the rest of the team to follow in his wake.

At last we reached firm ice on the other side of the lead. Next, we rolled about in the snow like otters at play. We have found that this game helps dry the worst of the water from our `swimming suits´.

Another obstacle was thus conquered without human casualties. We continued the trek in normal skiing mode. In the evening we found our camping site for the night. There was still room for a few tents...>

And all is well with the Expedition.