When we were preparing to leave yesterday, the Russians spotted a number of polar bears by the helicopters 100 yards from the base camp. Everyone went into the base camp. The polar bears passed. We ended up flying out the next morning and landed. We made 7 miles of progress north. I wish I was a poet so I could add with words of beauty when you see the helicopter take off and all you see is ice around you. It is majestic. We encountered lots of leads along the way and watched as a 20 foot lead, which is a river, close as the two sheets of ice pushed together and allowed the sled to pass. We have made tremendous progress and we are now sitting in the tent and boiling hot water for cocoa and soup preparing for another day. All is well here. Our thoughts are with all of you.