News: Storm hits Rivers Of Ice record expedition
On Thursday 24 September, fierce storms, with winds of 60 knots, caused considerable damage to Katie-Jane Cooper and Tarka L'Herpiniere’s tent. There were no injuries and they managed to make a makeshift shelter on the Southern Patagonian Ice Cap to sit out the storm. Despite previously making good progress across the Ice Cap in hostile conditions, it became clear that with a damaged tent, they had to abort their expedition attempt to become the first people to traverse the Ice Cap fully without kites or support.
When safe to do so, they moved down the glacier towards Argentina. They have now spent four nights in makeshift shelters and remain positive and calm, making good progress off the ice cap and subsequently the Spegazzini Glacier despite encountering storm conditions, difficult terrain and crevasse fields. Tarka has early stages of frostnip to two toes and Katie suffered some minor snow-blindness after her goggles were damaged. They are expected to make a full recovery and already, Katie's eyes have improved substantially.
They are now at sea level and will traverse the ice around the lake shore to reach a point where it is safe for a boat to collect them. The most probable route is over a 1,500m mountain but they have good conditions today and are on the move. It is likely that they will need to overnight in a makeshift shelter again tonight. They have not requested a rescue but appropriate services have been informed.
They are truly appreciative of the messages of support they have received and continue to send daily podcasts and tweets from the ice and stay in regular contact with the UK-based support team. They are making a documentary of the Rivers of Ice expedition – and we are sure sure the footage will be gripping stuff...
Download Katie's Biography (PDF)
Download Tarka's Biography (PDF)