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.
Ben and Tarka Make History (Official Announcement)
S77° 50' 53.88", E166° 46' 15.96"
Duration: 5 Hr
Daily distance: 11.1 Mi
Distance to go: 0 Mi
Altitude: 26 Ft
On Friday 7th February at 01.15am Ben and Tarka have re-written history as they completed, for the first time ever, the ill-fated journey of Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s iconic Terra Nova expedition.
Having trekked 1,795 miles across the inhospitable landscape of Antarctica on a return journey to the South Pole and back, Ben and Tarka have achieved the world record for the longest polar journey on foot in history.
The journey, which has taken a total of 105 days (just over ¼ of a year), has pushed the limits of physical and mental fortitude and reset the bar for polar expeditions of the future. Ben and Tarka hauled sleds with a starting weight of almost 200kg each and walked on average 17 miles daily in temperatures as low as -46oC wind chill.
Ben Saunders said, “It is almost impossible to comprehend what we have achieved. Completing Scott’s Terra Nova expedition has been a life-long dream and I’m overcome to be standing here at the finish. The journey has been a mammoth undertaking that has tested the bounds of our bodies and minds each and every day.”
“At times we found ourselves in dire straits in the intense cold, wind and altitude of the high plateau, weakened by half-rations and closer to the brink of survival than I had ever anticipated this journey taking us. In that light, both Tarka and I feel a combination of awe and profound respect for the endurance, tenacity and fortitude of Captain Scott and his team, a century ago.”
Captain Scott and his men died having covered almost 1,600 miles and this feat has never been surpassed in over 100 years, until today.
Land Rover and Intel are co-presenting partners of the Scott Expedition and have both played an important role in facilitating the expedition. Land Rover having assisted Ben in his training which has taken him to many inaccessible places across the UK, Europe and Greenland; and Intel provided Ultrabooks powered by its latest 4th generation Intel® CoreTM processor technology allowing Ben and Tarka to share their journey with the world along the way in their daily blog (www.scottexpedition.com/blog). Intel put the technology through its paces over several weeks prior to Ben and Tarka’s departure by freezing the Ultrabooks at temperatures of -40C.
Mark Cameron Jaguar Land Rover Director, Brand Experience “ It has been a true privilege for Land Rover to have played a part in this incredible expedition. I have followed Ben and Tarka each day, trying in some small way to live the experience so vividly and eloquently described through Ben’s blog. To complete this journey has taken the very highest levels of physical and mental fortitude as well as a sheer determination to succeed.”
“We all need heroes, incredible individuals or teams to provide inspiration to spur us on to achieve better for ourselves and the people around us. There are few feats of any description that exemplify more appropriately the Land Rover mantra of going ‘Above and Beyond’. Congratulations Ben and Tarka.”
Commenting on Intel’s support of the Scott Expedition, Patrick Bliemer, Regional Manager for Intel Northern Europe, said: “We are honoured to have played a small part in this record-breaking Scott Expedition by Ben and Tarka. We are incredibly proud that Intel technology has helped him share his experiences with audiences around the world – this unprecedented access is the first of its kind and one which will change the future of expeditions to come.”
Ben will be in touch shortly with the full low down and pictures from this historic moment. In the meantime - a massive thank you to all of you, our amazing followers. World - let's celebrate!
Comments
# Philip, February 7th 2014
Congratulations Ben and Tarka on your truly colossal achievement! It’s been great following your blog and watching all of your videos, providing us all with a privileged insight to your journey. A real testament to the depths and strength of the human spirit, absolutely incredible!
# Intrepid, February 7th 2014
Hallelujah!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8AWFf7EAc4&feature=kp
With abandon,
# M.M, February 7th 2014
Hi you guys,
I have been following you in class 4 and have been Inspired by your bravery.
I hope you get home safely and enjoy the worm heating and a nice hot chocolate in your cosy bed . We hope you have had a brilliant time.
Well done for all your hard work
# Lance Enholm, February 7th 2014
Congratulations! Strong work and an incredible accomplishment! I’m in awe of your epic journey!
# Kevin Wright, February 7th 2014
Well done Guys. My prayers have been answered! So pleased you have completed this amazing journey and in a strange way to have felt a part of it with your brilliant blog. Enjoy your well earned rest and some great food! Have a safe journey home to your families and friends? You may need some water wings when you get here though! Keep Going and I look forward to hearing about your next adventure? Kev
# Ronald Tolley, February 8th 2014
Congratulations to Saunders and L’Herpiniere on this expedition. The sheer determination is an example beyond expression. Saunders and L’Herpiniere set a very high bar for thoroughly and openly documenting the pluses and minuses of an expedition. Thanks and congratulations.
# Susan from Michigan, February 8th 2014
Congratulations Ben and Tarka!! It has been such an honor to follow along on such a magnificent journey!!! You have so much to be proud of!!! Time for a celebration!!!!
# Pete Doe, February 9th 2014
Incredibly inspiring to watch this journey unfold - many congratulations from New Jersey!
# Barry Smith, Hamilton New Zealand, February 9th 2014
Having looked up and across the Beardmore in December 1959 and been awestruck as a raw 22 year old I’m blown away by your achievement. Hearty congratulations from and old OAE. And your decision on the 2nd Jan was the right one - “better a live donkey than a dead lion” as someone admirable once said.
# Adam Stanford, February 9th 2014
Congratulations Ben and Tarka. Epic and inspiring journey !
# Chris Wilson, February 9th 2014
You did it! I can hardly begin to express my fulest admiration for the pair of you as a team, and your strength and commitment individually within that, given what you have achieved. You are true heroes of endurance in every sense of the word possible, and you have honoured Scott and his men in the very best way possible.
A wholehearted very well done from me, it has been a privelige to share this with you by reading the blog and thank you both (yes, Tarka included!) for that. Enjoy seeing your family and friends, and reflecting on what you have done - I believe it may take some time!
# McDowell Crook, February 9th 2014
Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo