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29th July 2020, 02:04 AM
#1
The North Pole
How many on site can claim the dubious honour of having been to the North Pole. Flying today is much in advance off what it was 50 years ago , however in 1968 I joined a ship in Japan from the uk . This involved flying out first to Rotterdam, catching a JAL flight to Anchorage changing again for a. Flight to Tokyo , thence a local flight to Shimonoseki . To prove had been over the Pole had a certificate given to me as all the passengers had also. No need to get frostbite doing it the hard way.
JS.
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29th July 2020, 06:01 AM
#2
Re: The North Pole
Not to the North Pole John but close.
Last year in Norway we went to the north cape, furthest north on the mainland and some 1500klm inside the arctic circle.
Only about 8 degrees in late June with wind factor making feel like about minus 4.
Met another guy, a yank, dressed the same as me shorts an jumper.
Happy daze John in Oz.
Life is too short to blend in.
John Strange R737787
World Traveller
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29th July 2020, 07:19 AM
#3
Re: The North Pole
Nearest I got physically to the North Pole was trawling north of Bear Island in the Arctic circle in the 50's. Anyway my pole only points south these days.
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29th July 2020, 08:46 AM
#4
Re: The North Pole
I ws in Seattle 1990 after doing a trip around Oregon and Washington State when visiting my son there, I then flew to Anchorage with Alaskan Air,
A big stuffed Polar Bear in the airport there, Had a few days there, I was trying to get on the clean up in Prudo Bay, having worked for EXXON , But a silly woman clerk wouldnt let me, even tho` I had told her I had clean up experience,with ESSO. BIG MONEY to be made there. then I flew over the Pole to London. American Air.
IN 2009 I went to Antarctica and got to only 200 miles from the South Pole.
Brian
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29th July 2020, 08:55 AM
#5
Re: The North Pole
I remember that big polar bear Brian and that was in 1968/69. Must be a bit moth eaten by now. It was massive well over 7 feet tall. JS..
Last edited by j.sabourn; 29th July 2020 at 09:38 AM.
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29th July 2020, 09:37 AM
#6
Re: The North Pole
#3 Too much magnetism Ivan !!! Like poles repel and all that , would be a good opportunity for someone now to repeat their version of the Cock of the North ?. JS
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29th July 2020, 09:50 AM
#7
Re: The North Pole
#2 Done that North Cape run to Murmansk a few times now. Was a regular run for the Bisco ore carriers.
You wouldn’t of been in your shorts up there in mid winter in minus 35 degrees John. The ballast even froze and that was saltwater , just imagine going for a pee. JS
Last edited by j.sabourn; 29th July 2020 at 10:01 AM.
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30th July 2020, 06:11 AM
#8
Re: The North Pole
Back in 64 on the British Hawthorn maiden voyage we were in Lulea Sweden.
Last ship in before the port froze over for winter.
Couple of us went out on deck for a smoke.
Only out there a few minutes and my shoes froze to the deck in that time.
Might be classified as a bit on the cool side.
Saw a similar Polar Bear well and truly stuffed in one of the ports in Norway.
Not the sort of creature you would want to meet on a dark night.
Last edited by happy daze john in oz; 30th July 2020 at 06:13 AM.
Happy daze John in Oz.
Life is too short to blend in.
John Strange R737787
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30th July 2020, 03:37 PM
#9
Re: The North Pole
I've been once to Point Barrow, Alaska, 320 miles into the Arctic Circle. Numerous times to Deadhorse, Prudho Bay, Alaska 240 miles above the Arctic Circle.
On the longest day of the year Mid Summer's Day, the ocean water opens and it was Arctic Regatta Day for the oil workers who "sail" the Arctic ocean in "home made boats". I was first officer on a two man crewed home made "passenger vessel" (one passenger came along), not bad for an ex-galley boy.
We won two prizes. Most people on a ship (3) and largest crew (2). Duration of the voyage was (I'm guessing, was about fifteen minutes). There was a five minute minimum afloat to qualify as a member of the Deadhorse Arctic Navy. We had a nice certificate given to all who qualified.
The weirdest thing about flying into Deadhorse from Fairbanks, or back on crew rotation was each passenger (except me) had a huge tool box, crammed with his tools, and all had real heavy duty clothing and boots. I used to say, if the plane ever came down their was enough welders, engineers and tools to rebuild the plane.
The coldest it ever was while I was up there was -60 odd degrees. Just going from the the plane to the arrival shed, mere yards away, you could feel any exposed skin crackle and a few hours later, indoors of course, you had a what looked like sunburn.
The engines of any auto was never switched off. And if a white-out came in and you were between camps, you had to stop and wait for help to find you. Each auto had multi radios. It's no joke up there.
Not nice environment.
Rodney
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1st August 2020, 01:20 PM
#10
Re: The North Pole
[QUOTE=happy daze john in oz;351610]Back in 64 on the British Hawthorn maiden voyage we were in Lulea Sweden.
Last ship in before the port froze over for winter.
Couple of us went out on deck for a smoke.
Only out there a few minutes and my shoes froze to the deck in that time.
Might be classified as a bit on the cool side.
I have fond memories of several trips to Lulea John, a nice little town, cold though.
Duke Drennan R809731
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