Tom Smitheringale is now into Day 5 of his 800km trek to the North Pole. I must say I am getting addicted to reading the blog on his website as Jim is updating it daily with Tom’s latest adventures and progress.

While the ice is not in the best condition, very difficult to cross at present and Tom is currently “double hauling” dragging one sled over the ice and then going BACK for the other sled, other conditions are fairly favourable with good visibility, low winds (although Jim’s latest report says they are increasing) and minimal ice drift.

The distance Tom is covering each day is increasing which is great to hear but Tom will need to do some back tracking as he has encountered some impassable ice and a new tack is needed.

Tom is chowing through his 41-42,000 kJ (that’s ~10,000 cal for you calorie counters) daily with no trouble and I’m currently working on a “Tom’s Fuel” factsheet, so keep an eye out for the lowdown on all the yummy goodness that is fuelling Tom on his epic journey.

Here’s just one interesting foodie fact on Tom: Tom has 3 meals and 2 snacks daily. Each of these is ~7,100 to 11,000 kJ! With the average adults diet providing ~8700 kJ that means Tom is eating 4 to 5 times the average adult daily!

Tom on Sunday Night, channel 7