Tracking
the Journey
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Distance to go:
0 Mi
Distance
Ben and Tarka will cover 1800 miles starting from Scott's Terra Nova Hut at the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole and back to the coast again. That's equivalent to 69 back-to-back marathons hauling up to 200kg each (the weight of roughly two adult men) of kit and supplies necessary to survive.
Distances here are shown in statute miles.
90 Degrees South (Day 63)
Day 63: S89° 52' 1.14", E178° 50' 19.32"
Duration: 18 Hr 00 Min
Daily distance: 35.3 Mi
Distance to go: 890.5 Mi
Temperature: -26 °C
Wind chill: -35 °C
Altitude: 9364 Ft
Yesterday evening at 20.35 GMT Ben and Tarka reached the South Pole and marked the halfway point of the Scott Expedition. They have since turned around and have started their journey skiing back to the coast 900 miles away.
Ben sends his apologies for not writing an update himself but after skiing 35.31 miles (56.83km) yesterday and almost 19 hours on thier feet he understandbly couldnt quite muster the energy to put pen to paper and express the emotions of this landmark day. Ben will be sending a full update in the next 24 hours once they have completed another days skiing. Ben and Tarka thank you all for your unwavering support that helped them reach the pole.
I am immensely proud of Ben and Tarka's achievement reaching the South Pole and in particular for having the strength to turn around and start the return journey back to the coast.
Today's photo was taken just before Ben and Tarka flew from Union Glacier to McMurdo at the start of thier expedition two months ago
Comments
# Vimalatharmaiyah Gnanaruban, December 27th 2013
Ben and Tarka,
Congratulations on reaching the first half of your goal, and wish you all the best on the inward journey. I’m so privileged to travel vicariously to the south pole with you, thanks to your lucid blog. Looking forward to read your thoughts in the next update.
Stay warm
-Ruban
# Jo, December 27th 2013
It was a tough Christmas holiday this year: One week offline without being able to read your blog. ;)
Congratulations on reaching the halfway-point! I admire what you achieve day after day so far. And now an Ultramarathon right in the middle of this super-long march? Even without the sleds it is much work and a long time spent on your feet. I wonder why you doubled your working hours at this point. This seems to be quite a push to the daily work-rest-balance you´ve had until now. I´m sure you know what you do and what you´re capable of. But could you explain your tactics here? How can you do increase your mileage & sleep-deficit like this without risking many more lost miles during the following days because of exhaustion?
# George Chapman, December 27th 2013
I believe the reason for the longer hours and mileage on day 63 was because they were so close to the pole they decided to go for it. And then they had to get back to the sleds with their tent. You can see from today’s mileage they are back to about 20 miles a day. If these guys are going to make it back by day 110 they only have 47 days to do it which means about 20 miles a day. They are going to have to push themselves all the way down to do this. If you figure in a day or two of possible bad weather you have got to hustle even more. All the miles behind you mean nothing it’s the miles ahead you have to concern yourself about and never assume the best is ahead of you because it could be the worst part. The Scott team 100 years ago ran into a major storm that lasted for days resulting in their death.
# Rosie Vidovix Unsworth, December 27th 2013
Let’s focus on the positive.
The boys will get back safe and on time.
# Kristoffer, December 27th 2013
Let’s focus on the reality.
I’ll be able to recalculate distance to make up, etc. tomorrow, once they’re back on their usual schedule, as they ended their journey to the Pole and back on 27 December, which temporarily skews the results as I don’t know how much of the journey was covered on the 27th. Of course, Sienicki would tell you that Scott invented his blizzard, as blizzards don’t last for 9 days in Antarctica. What’s more, Antarctic blizzards come in bursts of wind, so Scott, Wilson, and Bowers could have kept going by setting up the tent when one burst came and marching in between bursts.
Still, your point regarding the need for some days in reserve to compensate for blizzards is valid.
# Wayne, December 27th 2013
@Kristoffer
Are you always this negative in your daily life?
# Kristoffer, December 27th 2013
@Wayne
Since when is a call to stay realistic, an explanation, a constructive correction, and an acknowledged good point negative?
# Wayne, December 28th 2013
All I am saying is there is a fine line between all that and just being purely negative/pessimistic.
I am sure they are very aware of the task they are facing and what exactly they need to do to make it back within the target time (plus whatever was decided as leeway). Some encouragement in this situation would go a long way compared to the constant reminder of the realism of the amount of work they need to put in.
# Wayne, December 28th 2013
And just to add to that… I for one would rather read the daily blog posts detailing what happened today, what the plan is for tomorrow and ride along and see the journey unfold, than being told right now that they will not make it in the stated time but instead will be greeted by Her Majesty on the X sec of the X min of the X day outside the Scott ‘s hut (sorry for the spoiler ;) )
# Jon Russill, December 27th 2013
Spectacular effort guys. Incredible to pull off a day like that so far into an expedition. Best of luck for the return leg.
# George Chapman, December 27th 2013
Let me see how this works. It takes 63 day’s to go South 900 miles. And then we can go 900 miles North in 47 days without changing our speed. Must be that “New Math”.
# Rosie Vidovix Unsworth, December 28th 2013
@George
It wasn’t a criticism of your math (mine, like my English, is dreadful) but a hope that they will be able to be a lot faster since they haven’t got to pull all that weight they had to in the beginning.
I m sure you too are cheering for their success :-)
# Kristoffer, December 28th 2013
I understand Rosie, but as I see it Ben and Tarka will be picking up depots, so their sledge weight will increase. I don’t know by how much it will increase, but I suspect that the weight will increase to a weight similar to what they had on the plateau. I hope, but I make sure to have knowledge too.
# George Chapman, December 28th 2013
I understand Rosie Vidovix Unsworth and Wayne. I’m just pointing out some facts. They cannot take 63 days to get back down and be on time. As far as being negative I’m just trying to get back to reality a little. For the last week all we have been getting here is a lot of mushy praise which was good for a week or so. Us folks who have been following this trip from the beginning know it’s time to get back to a little reality. I’m surely not trying to tell the guys anything I’m sure they know what they are doing. I’m really glad there are folks who post all sorts of accolades. I’m not complaining about those folks. It’s just not in me to come here every day and just aw and ooh over how many miles they are getting in. I wish them the best.
These guys are tough they can take a little ribbing. Come on Ben and Tarka let’s get moving the fun times are over.
# Tor Bertin, December 28th 2013
Pretty sure the people involved in the expedition have explained this to you (if not, apologies). Look at the distances obtained at the start of the expedition, and look at the distances obtained prior to reaching the South Pole. Carrying less weight means obtaining greater mileage, making the return trip faster than the trip down. Furthermore, there will be more tailwinds on the return trip than on the trip south. Both of these factors will lead to greater speeds, and so a reduced return time.
# Kristoffer, December 28th 2013
Tor, carrying less weight means more speed, but their weight will not be going continuously down, as they will be picking up depots. The return journey may results in more tailwinds, but the wind direction and speed will remain volatile.
# Gina, December 28th 2013
Did you happen to score any of the famous South Pole cookies?! ;)
# Richard McGehee, December 28th 2013
The South Pole web cam has some images from the past few hours. It is the button just right of the full screen button in the lower left. At 27 hours ago it show some objects approaching. Then for 25 hours ago it shows objects leaving. Too far away to see if it is Ben and Tarka.
http://www.usap.gov/videoclipsandmaps/spwebcam.cfm
Happy trails to you,
Richard McGehee
# Waldo, December 28th 2013
“..skiing 35.31 miles (56.83km) yesterday and almost 19 hours on thier feet ...”
Yea right… Admit it, you took my advice. You grabbed a couple too many pints at the station and are snockered. No harm-no foul. We all understand…
Jokes aside, congrats!
# Kevin Wright, December 28th 2013
Well done guys a mammoth achievement! Hope you got a warm welcome from the folk stationed there and a celebration drink. For me it was the opportunity to open my bottle of Shackleton’s Whisky! Cheers! Gods speed and safe return journey. Keep going! Kev.
# Petr Horky, December 28th 2013
Good luck boys, time is passing pretty fast and I cross my fingers to you, to have enough food and power to return back. You are strong,you will do it!
Peter
# Geofc Harper, December 28th 2013
DJ,
Metaphor or otherwise the inherent insinuation is a slant on what these guys have done/are doing and is clearly unwelcome.