Carpenters Van Conrad and Simon Teale are in the final stages of sled building. The pieces have all been cut, sanded, and varnished. A half inch strip of flexible plastic has been fitted to the bottom of each fourteen-foot runner to decrease friction and the protect wood from rot. Nineteen slats have been cut to form the cross sections of the sled, on which 500+ pounds will be loaded during the expedition. The final step needed to complete the sleds is the lashing.

Lashing techniques have been used for centuries by mushers around the globe. Rather than gluing, nailing, or screwing wood pieces together to form a rigid structure, lashing wood pieces together with sinew, rope, or poly cord creates the flexibility needed for travel through challenging terrain. If a sled is too rigid and unforgiving, sudden shock to the structure is absorbed entirely by the wood skeleton, causing a possible break.

Expedition members will join basecamp staff to complete more than 80 separate lashings on the two sleds. Pulling rope and holding tension for many hours can be painful on the hands and wrists. Having a small group to share the work makes a big difference! A well-known polar explorer, Lonnie Dupre, has volunteered to lend his expertise to the effort. A musher and paddler for over 20 years, Lonnie has spent a considerable amount of time in the polar regions, including his recent expeditions to Greenland and the North Pole. He brings years of experience with a variety of lashing techniques and will train staff on the ‘Greenland lashing style’. Will Steger and team extend a warm thank you to Lonnie for his time!