The magnetic South Pole does crazy stuff to the compass!

by Tony Mowbray on 1 Jan 2004 Position 65 00S 142 54E - 120 nm to Antarctica - Wind SE 30 knts

Air Temp - Thermometer frozen over (but minus something!) Water Temp - Zero Degrees

4.00am Wednesday, December 31st, 2003 - aboard Kennards Hire Solo Globe Challenger and five average Aussie blokes are having a go in a very lonely part of planet earth.

We are plugging away into a strong south easterly breeze, with ‘Sal’ pushing, shoving and grunting her way up, through or over each wave in these very lumpy seas. She just shakes herself off and regroups after each wave and then
drives her bow up and into the next one. Pure poetry in motion!

We are currently taking 30 minute turns each on deck scanning for lumps of ice, ready to take evasive action when needed.

It is snowing quite heavily continuously now. The rigging is icing up - it sure is cold!! I've just spent my 30 minutes up on deck and the only part of me that was exposed was my nose. I think to myself, ’Tony, be careful. I'd hate to get it frost bitten and have it snap off! Not a good look!’

We are very close to the magnetic South Pole and does it ever do crazy stuff to the compass. In true terms we are heading south BUT the compass tells us we are heading NORTH! Earlier today it completely lost the plot and just did a series of 360 degree turns. It looked like a chocolate wheel - is it loopy or am I? (Don't answer that!)

More later …..

For full details on Kennards Global Challenger, go to: tonymowbray.com.au