On Thin Ice: An Epic Final Quest Into the Melting Arctic by Eric Larsen - 4 stars

[Ellen]

Eric Larsen and Ryan Waters are, to date, the last to reach the North Pole unsupported by walking, skiing, and at times swimming, nearly 500 miles from Ellesmere Island. Both are seasoned adventurers. Larsen is a filmmaker and the leader of trips into Antarctica while Waters leads ascents onto the earth's highest peaks. Larsen had been to the geographic north pole twice before and he knew that the ability to accomplish the feat once again was quickly diminishing as the arctic ice sheets were melting due to global warming. In fact, on this, his third trip, he came upon more and more open water instead of the thick multi-layer ice that used to be the predominant landscape. The two men spent 51 harrowing days and nights accomplishing their goal. Whiteouts, temperatures almost at a constant -40, and even polar bears nearly cost them their lives. Pulling sleds weighing over 300 pounds each over heaving ice took a brutal toll on both men but their desire to document the depletion of the ice drove them forward. The book is an exciting narrative of their journey with many beautiful photographs.

[Booknblues]

I love to read these books in our very hot summer.