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
# Ian, February 7th 2014
Well done guys, I am sure that I am simply echoing the thoughts of many when I say I am glad you have been able to complete the journey and enter the record books. However what I am do each day if there is no Ben and Tarka blog to follow<g>
# John Brain, February 7th 2014
Many congratulations. Magnificent achievement. Have followed you every mile of the way and your daily reports have been truly inspiring. Glad you also made it on BBC Breakfast News this morning. Have a great rest, both of you. And a morning as well to remember those great achievements of yesteryear by Scott, Shackleton, Amundsen and others.
# Willie Hannah, February 7th 2014
Ben and Tarka, CONGRATULATIONS. Not a lot else to say, enjoy the rest, no more water boiling, rolling up sleeping bags, clipping into the ski’s for a while !!!!!. What’s next? HOOFING, regards, Willie
# Ian, February 7th 2014
Marvellous, magnificent, epic, etc— congratulations !
# Michal Janouch, February 7th 2014
Congratulations. Only time will show the following performance you’ve ever achieved. Not only for themselves but also for society and nations. Your performance shows the way for others. Perseverance, tenacity, humility. This is what you’ve shown us. You are and will be for many children, young people and followers pattern. This can guard, guarding it.
I remember one phrase from Bydrovy of Arctic Expedition 1928-1929. Dream Big Dare to Fail.
I wish you all the best in life. If you are willing to visit the Czech Republic, we’d love to hear your story. Let me know by e-mail. Once again, congratulations.
# Michal, February 7th 2014
Congratulations. Only time will show the following performance you’ve ever achieved. Not only for themselves but also for society and nations. Your performance shows the way for others. Perseverance, tenacity, humility. This is what you’ve shown us. You are and will be for many children, young people and followers pattern. This can guard, guarding it.
I remember one phrase from Bydrovy of Arctic Expedition 1928-1929 - “Dream Big Dare to Fail”
I wish you all the best in life. If you are willing to visit the Czech Republic, we’d love to hear your story. Let me know by e-mail. Once again, congratulations.
# Ed Stafford, February 7th 2014
Well done mate. Amazing endurance. Colour Sergeant Donald will be a proud man today! :)
# Marcelle Duncan, February 7th 2014
You inspire us all to greatness. Well done!
# Paul Turner, February 7th 2014
Congratulations! We’ve all been following your adventure at Sevenoaks School, Kent.
# David, February 7th 2014
Great to see the news spreading this morning - (having watched live till about 2.00am incase someone popped up on that webcam)
Very well done B&T - safe journey home
# Sheppick, February 7th 2014
Good on ya gentlemen.
Keep on chooglin’
# jan, February 7th 2014
So many words could describe your incredible aceivement and it looks like they have all been said from people all over the wofld.So just a personal thank you to you both for all your fantastic efforts. I will miss your daily reports Soooooo much, so…..what’s next. Well done both. I hope. You enjoy all the accolades coming your way.
# Sarah, February 7th 2014
amazing, huge congratulations!