Copied from old forum:
May 2 2002 by doomwheels
>didn't someone do an expedition in antartica with kites? any way what kind of kite would i need? do i use handles, a bar, a harness, or a
backpack? what are the backpacks for?
Hi T,
Eric Philips is known for his ice treks across Antarctica and such frozen places. He has used Quadrifoil kites in the past.
I would suggest the same for you as the Quadrifoil Q2000 series offers the most stable power. Stability is an asset when you are crossing difficult
terrain so that you can more easily turn your attention to other obstacles such as crevasses etc. Also, use handles as they provide the most control
and make launching easier than bars. Definitely use a harness to get the power out of your arms. Backpacks? some kites come in backpacks, perhaps that
is what you are referring to.
Below is a story that Eric Philips wrote for the KS4U web site followed by a link to Eric's web site.
bc
>>
The wind is uncaring, not at all concerned for your well-being. It has no friends, no enemies. The wind does not temper its strength to suit your
needs and pays no heed to the quiver of kites at your disposal. The wind can come and go as it pleases and you can do nothing but dance to its
flippant tune, or cower from its ferocious spirit.
Not a day passes when my cheek is not turned to the north, south, east or west. If the wind is hiding, it is a useless coax, a worthless gesture, a
hopeless urge that only serves to waste an iota of energy and the telltale on my ski pole hangs limp like a flag on a mantelpiece. But when that same
gesture brings a rush of air past my cheek, aft to fore, the wind becomes a magic force that can do no wrong.
This wind, my wind, is the power I come in search of. This time, I am in Patagonia - Campo de Hielo Sur, the Southern Icecap - the third largest
icecap on earth, spanning the Antipodean nations of Chile and Argentina. Patagonia, hell on earth, if it wants to be, with ferocious storms that can
last twenty days. But is can also be heaven, like today, and the plateau is surrounded by an atoll of icy volcanoes, spires, domes and chasms. This is
indeed Nirvana.
My team cruises along with our Q2003 Quadrifoils bobbing and weaving fifteen metres distant. But the wind is fickle, and we are quickly caught in a
ground storm. Stop? Not on your life! This is why we are here, to pit our savvy against one of the most tempestuous environments on earth, and so far
we are surviving. At the end of the hour, our GPS records a top speed of 43km/h and a distance of 10km in fifteen minutes. OK, not blindingly fast,
but with a 100kg loaded kayak behind, with no braking mechanism, you don't want to plant your face. A boat up your butt, literally, hurts.
This, for me, is a significant part of my life and I have just crossed the fourth of the four largest icecaps in the world - Antarctica, Greenland,
Ellesmere Island and Patagonia - three of them using Quadrifoils. Why walk when you can glide!
The wind is fickle, uncaring, downright mean, but get it on a good day, and you fall in love.
Eric Philips
http://www.icetrek.com
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