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.
Christmas Day (Day 62)
Day 62: S89° 39' 35.64", E160° 27' 24.42"
Duration: 9 Hr
Daily distance: 22.8 Mi
Distance to go: 925.9 Mi
Temperature: -8 °C
Wind chill: -16 °C
Altitude: 9426 Ft
After our frustration yesterday, today turned out to be perhaps the most enjoyable of the entire expedition so far. Tarka and I swapped presents soon after our alarms went off at 5.30am; he loved his teabags and powdered milk, and it turns out he's been dragging with him for 61 days an ingenious vacuum-packed disposable filter coffee maker that produces three cups (or in my case exactly one brim-full 500ml Nalgene bottle) of incredibly good Brazilian gourmet coffee. We both agreed they were the most enjoyable cups of tea and coffee we'd ever had, and the smell of the coffee brewing was out of this world.
I sat there waiting for it, drooling like a greedy mutt and missing home desperately as I thought of the coffee I'd make in my little espresso pot before walking my dog in Battersea Park, or the cafetiere my girlfriend and I would brew before heading out on big bike rides in the Chilterns. Tarks and I were both quite emotional as we got ready to go this morning, and while we both managed to avoid outright blubbing in the tent, but our voices both quavered a few times as we talked about Christmases at home and missing our loved ones, and my goggles definitely got a little misted up in the first hour.
The weather today was entirely unexpected, and incredibly good. The wind early on (the temperatures on the site are recorded by me first thing in the morning, as soon as we take the tent down) died away, and the clouds parted after the first hour to leave us with a glorious blue sky and bright sunshine. Incredibly I skied for a few hours today without a jacket, in just my thermal underwear top. I doubt the storm-lashed Brits sat reading this at home will have much sympathy for us here when I say that I needed to dig out my factor 50 sunblock.
We skied hard today, no doubt boosted by our first slug of caffeine in two months, and thought we might have been on for a 40km-day until the terrain started undulating way more than I was expecting. We still managed a record distance, but we did a lot of up and down and I'm feeling pretty drained this evening.
Our plan tomorrow is to keep racing south, put up our tent about 8km from the Pole, leave the sleds and leg it there and back again on skis with a light backpack each (actually an ultralight drybag, clipped to our sledge harnesses, with a down jacket, food, drink, a satellite phone, our tracker and a few other bits and bobs). If all goes to plan, it'll be a big mileage day, and we hope to turn around at the Pole as quickly as we can.
It probably sounds very antisocial, but I'd honestly prefer not have contact with people there, and I'm far more excited about starting the return journey than I am about standing by the Pole itself, surrounded by centrally-heated buildings, cargo containers, giant vehicles, rumbling generators, parked aircraft, tents and fuel drums. Tonight should be our last night camped on the southward leg of this journey, and for me the really special part starts when we turn and head for home from the Pole.
P.S. You'll note from the photo that Tarka has also been dragging party hats, though as we're travelling so light our Christmas dinner this evening contained no special treats, other than the fact it was freeze-dried Kung Po chicken, which is one of our favourites and we'd been saving it. You'll also note our faces are now walnut-coloured, greasy from sunblock and sprouting tramp-like beards...
Comments
# Thea, December 26th 2013
Well done, lovely to see you in the festive spirit, really good to know I only have to give you a tea bag for Christmas from now on. Thinking of you today as I do my first days work, heading up in a minute and it has actually beens nowing all night so I can pretend I am with you today. Have a wonderful day today and hopefully you will be heading back in the next blog, go carefully and remember where you have put your sleds. xx
# Damian Harris , December 26th 2013
Coffee, tea bags and milk powder. What perfect gifts.
Proof that it really is the thought that counts.
Well done on another record day guys. Keep pushing.
# Kiwawa, December 26th 2013
Oh boys… Look at you with your party hats on. You should be so incredibly proud of yourselves. You are half way there and before you know it you will be drinking entire cafetieres of coffee each with your toes roasting by log fire. Tarka, you have been incredibly missed this Christmas. You are the rock of our family and not one minute passed this Christmas day where I didn’t wish you were here with us. None the less keep going strong as i am now beginning to be really popular with the kids due to my superpower brother. I cannot emphasise how proud I am of you. Miss you xxx
# wonderwoman, December 26th 2013
Dear Ben and Tarka,
Thank you for sharing your Christmas with us. The way you tell about it is real and touching and makes me believe in goodness. I honour, respect and cherish the way you are going to go round the Pole. Huge congratulations for reaching the turning point!
We send you love from Finland and pray for your safe return jurney.
# Stuart Dyble, December 26th 2013
Hi Ben and Tarka
Many congrats my friend on making it halfway! There is no doubt in my book that you will complete the journey and become total heroes. Very best of luck for the return journey. And thanks for the very entertaining, well written and lucid reports. Proud of you. All the best Stuart D
# Hilary, December 26th 2013
Happy Boxing Day! Hope today really is the day when you reach your goal! You are both amazing and it is a pleasure to read your blogs about your progress each day. It’s still the first thing I do each day! Keep the spirit going, you guys rock!
# Rosie Vidovix Unsworth, December 26th 2013
Ah, it is good to hear you had a good Christmas Day and I love your plans for the last leg.
Keep going and get the job done!
# Uncle Pete, December 26th 2013
All here seriously impressed with Christmas Video scenes and great to see you in festive mood - stirred by tea and coffee! Very best wishes for a successful slingshot around the Pole today and we promise to keep to keep encouragement flowing for your safe and speedy return! Some here where surprised at your description of the ‘Pole’ as they had envisaged a ‘pole’ in the ground…! Wise move and look forward to your blog description of what will surely be a bit surreal after your trip so far! All the best. Pete, Family and Friends.
# Luke Hull, December 26th 2013
Best of luck with the next couple of days and I don’t blame you for sneaking in and out of the pole base and well done for not blubbing what would have Scott and Shackleton thought!
# Leigh Phillips , December 26th 2013
Amazing blog by 2 amazing guys. Its the perfect antidote to a “celebrity” filled christmas. We all loved seeing the hats here
# George Chapman, December 26th 2013
Glad to see you had so many Christmas greetings. It’s wonderful knowing how many are following you. I have noticed even today on Google Earth that it appears your still having navigational problems. Your track on Google Earth does show you changing course frequently. I know you mentioned this several days ago as being a problem. I’m surprised with all our advanced technology that it’s a problem staying on course. It looks like you may make it to the Pole on 63 or 64 and that will be great. Now we need to get back to base camp 900 miles away. Take care guys and stay warm.
# Pete Casey, December 26th 2013
We take for granted all the little luxuries we use in our daily lives, so
i will relish even more so my cup of Brazilian coffee after a 20k bike ride in Sussex (UK) this morning after reading your blog.
A Christmas Day you both will never forget I’m sure!
Godspeed on your return journey.
# Ruben, December 26th 2013
Checking up on you guys has become a daily ritual now - first thing I’m reaching for when I wake up is my iPhone, to check up on Ben and Tarka! It’s incredible to see the both of you celebrating Christmas in such high spirits, in undoubtably the least hospitable place on this planet. I have a feeling one of you will have brought some bubbly for new year’s eve… ;)
# Richard Pierce, December 26th 2013
Dear Ben, dear Tarka,
I feel incredibly guily for taking the chance over Christmas to have a few lie-ins, and to be a latecomer to your blog posts.
You’ve done brilliantly well to ski so far on Christmas Day, and it’s wonderful to see your comradeship, exemplified in the silly hats and the smiling faces.
I love your strategy for the Pole, and think it’s absolutely right, and I hope your wish to get there, take a few snaps and scarper again before anyone else notices is fulfilled.
I’m not sure mankind’s permanent intrusion on the Pole is warranted nor required, and I’m sure readers of this blog (who aren’t aware of this yet) will be shocked to know that the American base at McMurdo was running a nuclear power station until the mid or late-50s. It is indeed questionable if the permanent base at the South Pole is more than territory-marking rather than genuinely scientific (regardless of the Antarctic Treaty).
Continue to be lone men, happy in each other’s company and that of your beautiful continent. You will miss it incredibly when you’ve completed your quest, so, savour and enjoy while you can - and I know that sounds weird when, after all, your bodies and minds a re taking incredible punishment from that beautiful but harsh mistress.
God Speed.
R
# CaninesCashews, December 26th 2013
Hi guys,
What a great photo and an amazing mileage.
You must have read each other minds with those gifts – very impressive.
Love the sound of your plan for a slingshot around the pole and completely understand the reasons behind it. Sans sleds should make for a great experience on the run in and out too – variety is the spice of life and all that.
I can share with you the impact your adventure is having on this little family in S.E. London; just minutes after getting up on Christmas morning and seeing his presents in the stocking, my seven year old son asked if Santa would find you in all that snow in Antarctica, because you must be on his ‘nice list’!
I reassured him that you could be found from your GPS and Santa could be very technical like that, he seemed satisfied with that answer.
As you reach the turn and start the epic walk back think of Trenton Lee Stewart who wrote “May your adventures bring you closer together, even as they take you far away from home.”
Best wishes for the pole today.
Stay Safe,
Gav
# George Chapman, December 26th 2013
Wow. All these recent post are getting too mushy for me. I think we should go back to being Monday morning arm chair quarterbacks like a lot of folks were being two weeks ago.
# Richard Pierce, December 26th 2013
Brilliant, George, brilliant.
We’ll stop being mushy once they’ve done the turnround :-)
R
# Mal Owen, December 27th 2013
Sorry George! it’ll be even mushier when they get back to base and complete Scott’s epic journey !
# Andrea, December 26th 2013
Well, I don’t have the skills to express my feelings in good english, so I welcome you on the Pole following google earth tracking and will rise a champagne flute cheering for you when you reach your goal. Well deserved.
Hoping for a safe and sound return journey. My best wishes!
Andrea.
# Chris Wilson, December 26th 2013
Merry Christmas guys! Awesome progress, and even though you are far from loved ones and espresso machines what a place to spend the big day!!
Have an awesome time at the south pole!
# Tamara and Alex, December 26th 2013
Happy Christmas Tarka and Ben! We’ve just watched the video with my parents in Cheltenham. Looks amazing and we have snow jealousy! Keep up the good work! Love T and A x
# George Chapman, December 26th 2013
Some great photos of the South Pole station: http://beyondthebackyard.com/2013/12/10/the-new-south-pole-station/
# Sharyle, December 26th 2013
Loved your Xmas video and blog entry. Tea and coffee! It’s fantastic to know you’re almost to the Pole and doing so well. Fascinating to learn of your plan to sprint to the Pole and turn around quickly. Seeing all those man made structures may be a shock. Carry on! You both are amazing!
# rodney pattinson, December 26th 2013
well done nearly there please build snowman at pole pics hull 2 man united 3
# Bryce , December 26th 2013
Merry Christmas to you Ben and Tarka. May you be blessed with a speedy and safe day as you whip around the pole and head for home. Thank you for the gift you are offering to so many with your adventurous spirit.
# Suri, December 26th 2013
Hi Ben and Tarka, Merry Christmas and Congratulations for being just one step closer to the South pole. Good Luck.
# green, December 26th 2013
Why are you guys avoiding caffeine on this trip? Is it a specific nutritional requirement?
# Nick, December 26th 2013
Kenco Rappor - the Hotel’s choice… nice coffee.
# George Chapman, December 26th 2013
It’s 1:45PM EST and it appears the guys are still moving and they are about 5 miles from the pole. If they do as they mentioned in this post they will be setting up camp about now and make the final 8Km or 5 miles on foot without their sleds. Hopefully the team will be posting something here as soon as that happens. Great job getting there guys and wishing you the best on this most important day in your lives.
# Scott Expedition, December 26th 2013
Hi George,
The next update will be when Ben and Tarka reach the South Pole (via the UK Team). They have done exceeding well already today (19.68 miles) and its going to be a record milage day by a long way by the looks of things.
# Rosie Vidovix Unsworth, December 26th 2013
Tarka and Ben
Champagne is chilled and waiting for news.
This is all soo exciting…
# George Chapman, December 26th 2013
It’s now 2:45PM EST and Google Earth is showing they are only 2 miles from the pole which means they must now be walking without their sleds.
# Richard Pierce, December 26th 2013
George, I reckon that kink in their route is where they set up camp before moving on to the Pole without sleds.
R
# George Chapman, December 26th 2013
It’s 3:30PM EST and Google Earth is showing the team has arrived at the South pole. Congratulations guys.
# Jennifer, December 26th 2013
It’s 1500 CST (obviously 1600 EST), and my Google map shows them outside the South Pole. If they’ve been there and are on the return trip, shouldn’t the red mark tracker showed that they’ve already been there? Perhaps I don’t have the correct Google maps settings.
# George Chapman, December 26th 2013
#Jennifer. When these guys get within a mile of the pole it’s hard for me to see exactly if they are at the pole or 500 yards away. Their position is only updated once every hour from what I understand. And there is twitter chatter saying they have had to do a dog leg approach due to rules at the pole so I’m not sure how that would be shown on Google Earth. I’m not in a position to definitively say they have actually touched the Pole.
# Jennifer, December 26th 2013
Thanks, George. We can definitively say that they’re darned close, in any direction! I understand they just want to get there and turn around, but it’s thrilling to watch.
# Uncle Pete, December 26th 2013
what an exciting Boxing Day evening! I just saw your position update to within 300metres of the Pole! Well done, by now you should have been round and on way back to camp - provided you have not listened to the Sirens! May the wind be at your back and fortune at your side for a safe return - xx Uncle Pete
# Scott Expedition, December 26th 2013
I can confirm that Ben and Tarka are currently at the South Pole! A massive congratulations to them from all the team back home.
# Rosie Vidovix Unsworth, December 26th 2013
Well done guys! Well bloody done!
# George Chapman, December 26th 2013
Congratulations to the whole Team on this accomplishment.
# Rok, December 26th 2013
Amazing! Congratulation!
# Hilary, December 26th 2013
Congratulations to you both on a supreme effort (and a very long day). Safe journey home and hope to see the photos here tomorrow!
# Sharyledoherty, December 26th 2013
Congratulations, Ben and Tarka! This is an amazing accomplishment! Safe and speedy travels on the return route.
# Richard Pierce, December 26th 2013
Well done, guys! You’re halfway there. Keep going. R
# Andrea, December 26th 2013
Splendid, the Earth has a single pole behind and down, to escalade it and to descent from it being integrated in that proper nature there.
# Jennifer, December 26th 2013
What an incredible feat! Congratulations to Ben and Tarka!
# Andrea, December 26th 2013
The splendour, is that this expedition gets a part of the nature’s point of view regardig this pole. The other part is in the General Theory of Relativity and in the Particles Physics (of witch, some of theirs deductions being analyzed by the Pole Base).
# Hilary Snaith, December 26th 2013
Very excited for you - that you’re so close to the pole and ready to start heading home again! My children (10, 7 and 5) have been following your progress every day in awe of what you’ve already achieved. So glad that you were able to celebrate Christmas with daft hats too!! May the winds blow you safely home
# sheila England, December 26th 2013
You both look wonderful and happy. I can only imagine what that coffee must have been like. Probably the best you’ll ever have.
Cheers you too, and a very Merry, Happy Christmas!
Be safe
-Sheila
# Oli B, December 26th 2013
Ben and Tarka! Word reaches South Wales that you have only gone and reached the South Pole! And in high spirits, by the sounds of your latest post. Incredible news! To say that we have been gripped and moved by your journey so far would be an understatement. How far away our London tea time now seems… I’m hugely aware of the contrast as a nation of Brits (ourselves included) snooze off their Christmas indulgences. Usually, our yuletide hits of adrenaline come courtesy of a Hollywood movie or two. This year our thoughts and prayers have been a little further afield. With two gents, on the ice, inspiring generations, making history. Speed home chaps. A warm welcome awaits!
# Mal Owen, December 26th 2013
Just returned from visiting day sans internet to super news, and now raise my glass of Cointreau to celebrate your achievement. Looking forward to tomorrow’s blog and wishing you all the very best for the next stage of your journey.
# Marc Koska, December 26th 2013
Seasons Greetings Ben (and Tarka). Amazing job. You are both going to rock this! Stay super healthy in Spirit and Body!
# John Brain, December 27th 2013
May I join all your many followers by adding my hearty congratulations to your magnificent feat of planning, execution, resilience and sheer guts. Your journey has given so many of us a huge thrill and I for one look forward to reading of your daily return progress to Scott’s Hut with great anticipation. What a way to end Boxing Day 2013.
# Intrepid, December 27th 2013
Happy Boxing Day!
Was on a plane today and when the pilot announced we were at 10000 feet, it hit how I was flying at approximately the same altitude you are skiing and pulling the sleds. I’m so glad to hear you’ve reached the half way mark. Totally in awe of both of your ability to go all out on day 63, doing all those extra miles and dashing (as in astonishing) around the pole. Congratulations!!
The tea, coffee and hats is but one way I’ve been reading how you gift each other. The way you hold each other in regard is quite admirable. May what bonds you now always keep you together.
Very excited to hear about what you guys really did at the pole; the anticipation, entry, standing upon, and reflection of. But actually, whatever you aren’t too tuckered out to write about will be good enough.
2 of the biggest breakthroughs in science this year took place in Antarctica (Ross Ice Shelf and at the IceCube South Pole Observatory). Just thought I’d pass on the information since you are there, also making your own breakthroughs into history.
http://io9.com/the-biggest-scientific-breakthroughs-of-2013-1486697575?utm_campaign=socialflow_io9_facebook&utm_source=io9_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow
Blessing your return. Godspeed!
# clawingthruthepack, December 27th 2013
Fans: Did the webcam at the Amundsen-Scott station capture their arrival (and departure)? View full-screen and judge for yourself: http://youtu.be/DBKYZPdL1cE .
Ben, Tarka: I’ve been following your journey daily with everyone else here. Have been thinking of you when out skiing, running in the cold, and walking the dog over the snow and ice covering New England. You two are made of stern stuff. Congratulations on making it half way, and godspeed for your return.
# Jason, December 27th 2013
Hi chaps…....it’s 1.30am here in Blighty on the morning of Friday 27th Dec, wife and I are listening to vinyl U2 album on her new ‘retro’ record player (which was the best preside of the year).......both of us have a glass in hand and we raise a toast to your amazing achievement. The tracking system shows you are literally a few hundred strides from the pole, we wish you God’s speed and can only imagine how you must be feeling.
# Anushka, January 3rd 2014
I am 9 year old girl doing Destination Imagination research on extreme environments and it has been so helpful to read your blogs.
Great work by both of you. Good luck.