After Polly’s fall, she took a rest in Pat’s sled – her foot was hurting and she had got a fright. I skied just ahead of them, hauling my sled as best I could.
Just before lunch, Pat decided to do some filming. He went ahead of everyone and we skied passed him. As he turned to follow us, I heard a yelp of pain. I looked back and saw Pat crouched on the snow. After a couple of seconds, he straightened up and began to ski again.
Within a few minutes, he had fallen a long way behind. I knew something serious was up and called to Clare to wait. We all watched as Pat tried to catch up – he would ski for a few minutes, then crouch to the ground, then try to continue on again. Polly, who was still in the back of his sled, was looking very worried – she could hear him groan with pain every time he moved.
When he reached where we were waiting, he explained that he had injured his back when turning to put the camera away and that the pain was now agonising. Clare, Jon and Shaun shared out the contents of his sled to try and make it easier for him to pull. Polly waddled alongside me and kept an eye on Pat.
We carried on for another 15 minutes or so, but Pat was in trouble. Clare gave him some medicine and got the tent up so that he could lie down and get some relief.
Polly and I helped with all the camp work. Everyone spoke in serious tones – we were all very worried about Pat – how could he continue to ski and pull a heavy sled for another 20 days? – not to mind live in a cramped tent!
The team spoke about calling a rescue for him – to allow him recover properly. While they were still talking, I heard Pat call ‘Freddy!’ I headed into his tent and got a fright when I saw him – lying uncomfortably in his sleeping bag, still dressed in all his heavy clothes, shivering with the cold and flinching in pain every time he moved.
‘Freddy, I have to get better; there’s no way I’m going to be rescued – you have to help me.’ I promised I would do everything I could. We would all have to work hard together for the next few days.
