22-Dec-2000 -- After visiting N48 W97 we
crossed back over the Red River into North Dakota and headed south on
I-29 for Fargo. Approaching Fargo we still had a couple of hours before
we could pick up Monique's nephew from school so we decided to catch
another point. We took exit 73 at Harwood, N.D.
Heading west we had to circle around some because many of the farm
roads in this area are not maintained in the winter so they drift closed
with snow. We finally located a road running north-south that took us to
within .35 miles of the point.
The point is out in a field. There was very little snow cover so I
figured the walk to this one would be relatively easy on the frozen
ground, plus it had warmed up to -5F by this time of the day. There was
a strong wind blowing out of the southwest so the walk to the point was
not bad, the walk back was into the wind though so we had to cover up to
avoid frostbite on our faces. The wind chill for the day was reported
to be -20F to -30 F.
Being from Alaska and having spent two winters working in the North
Slope oil fields I have the appropriate gear, as you may be able to see
in the pictures. I have worked outside in this parka and boots at -50F
(albeit not comfortably) so this day was a walk in the park, so to
speak. Due to the cold we didn't want to over exert so we walked slowly
and took breaks on the way out and back. It was quite cold so we
hurriedly snapped the photos. Monique didn't want to wait 30 minutes in
the car so she came along this time.
By the time we got back to the car I was sweating even with the cold
temperatures. Another successful point bagged and the first time I
reached two in one day (see 48N 97W).