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.
Closer to Home, Closer to Home (Day 103)
Day 103: S78° 8' 2.40", E168° 14' 19.32"
Duration: 10 Hr
Daily distance: 24.4 Mi
Distance to go: 39.3 Mi
Temperature: -12 °C
Wind chill: -24 °C
Altitude: 115 Ft
Despite our proximity to the finish line, today was as tough a day as we've ever had out here. The weather was similar to yesterday, though with a cold wind (at our backs, luckily) that stayed until the early evening, when it calmed down and things warmed up a bit. Starting the day was incredibly hard, and I was in equal parts relieved and distressed to hear that Tarka was struggling with the same weary lethargy and flagging mojo that I was.
Objectively, we're both in no doubt that our extreme physical fatigue is dragging our emotional states down, but we've both shared an unusual feeling lately of something approaching disappointment; we'd perhaps hoped Antarctica would hold more moments of beauty and joy, but the reality is that this has been - for the most part - a vast challenge that has taken us to the very outer fringes of our physical and mental endurance. Exploring those seldom-trod human realms has been a fascinating journey, but it's a frustratingly hard story to convey, as no one will ever know what it was truly like for us.
The other side of this frustration, however, is a bond with Tarka that I'll share for life. "Closer to home, closer to home", was a mantra that I started repeating to myself with each stride today, part-way through a 45-minute session that I began to fear I couldn't make it to the end of. We both fell over again on invisible sastrugi in the flat light, and at one point I feared I might have broken a bone in my forearm. These last days are proving as difficult as any that have preceded them. And speaking of last days, we plan to finish our very final one at the shore of Ross Island, by the New Zealand Antarctic station Scott Base.
It seems a logical - and historically relevant - spot to finish as it's the same point Scott would have aimed for (and the one that Shackleton and Wild reached in late February 1909 before being picked up by boat, as Scott would have been). It's impossible for us to walk from here to Scott's Terra Nova hut as we're at the end of the summer and McMurdo Sound is now open water, just as it was a century ago (though there's also an American icebreaker that burns 4,500 gallons of fuel per hour keeping the Sound ice-free these days too).
The aircraft we've chartered to take us back to Chile can't pick us up from here until the 8th, so we've decided to split tomorrow's giant day into two normal days, and we should arrive at Scott Base on the evening (UK time) of Thursday 6th. Keep your eye on the map!
Comments
# Rich...!, February 5th 2014
So stoked to hear it Ben. Hum “The eye of the tiger” to yourself as you hit the last mile.
So proud my friend.
# Sandra Pitblado, February 5th 2014
Each day it has been our routine to click into the Scott Expedition Blog and live vicariously with you incredible adventurers. We are in true awe of what you have accomplished and struggle to imagine the extraordinary mental strength you have mustered all through the journey, but most particularly these last few days as the end is near and you must stay safe. Please know that we are with you every push of the skis and will rejoice with all your followers when the news comes that you are safe and warm! Fondest thoughts! Sandra and Jim
# Ione , February 5th 2014
just followed Phil Satoor’s link today to the joyful swimmer leaping into the hole in the ice - for God’s sake, Tarka and Ben,DONT try and outdo the man from the land of the long white cloud - enough is enough! NO swimming please! (it did make me laugh though!)
# Intrepid, February 5th 2014
OMG, and jumping with slippers on. Funny! But yeah, lugging a ladder ... nah ...
# Dave, February 5th 2014
Smart to have a safety rope. Having “polar plunged” twice (both north and south; yup, I’m “bipolar”) I can see climbing that ladder being a difficult task.
I imagine Ben and Tarka will get checked by a doctor before engaging in any chenenigans. And as much as they crave cheeseburgers, etc, they may also have a “re-entry” diet planned. They’ve handled their expedition very smartly so far, and I expect them to continue to do so.
Well done, guys!
# Ian Kirk, February 5th 2014
Gentlemen, you both have my utmost respect! What a tremendous achievement! I wonder (if Scott and his team were still alive today), what their own thoughts would be on your momentous achievement.
I trust you will look back in great gratitude at the glory of the wonder of that vast expanse of the earth, and that you were allowed to witness it.
# Rachel, February 5th 2014
I have been “with” you as much as possible from the start of your amazing journey; I’m just not one to comment in the blog. I wonder if you don’t have just as giant a journey ahead of you as you’ve already had. One that will require every attention to your emotions, even as your bodies heal and gain strength, and well beyond. The disappointment you feel at the lack of joyful moments is understandable. Perhaps the joy will come in retrospect, in surprising and unexpected ways. In ways that wouldn’t be possible or as deep without the unbelievable struggle this has been for you. To have an experience like yours that leaves you wondering how to convey to anybody what it is truly like can be isolating. It makes me think of war veterans, and also people who have grieved the loss of a loved one ... very lonely experiences. Keep your loved ones close, share in any way you can (again and again), and know that you have masses of friends out here in blog-land who can’t know, but care. My hope for you is for joy to unfold in unpredicted ways as you make your way through the months and years to come. You are doing a remarkable thing and I thank you for letting us share in it with you. You aren’t done. Keep your focus and stay safe until Scott Base and well beyond.
# Nora Wolfe, February 5th 2014
I have been through a few experiences that have left me without anyone who understands. So I really understand how you feel that maybe few others will really know what you went through. I have often wondered if Armstrong, who first stepped on the moon, knew he could never communicate the experience to others and that is why he became a recluse right up to his death. Perhaps if you were artists you could create a painting after painting trying to reach the core of the meaning of what you and Tarka went through. But I imagine each painting would fall slightly short and you would have to paint one more. I look forward to hearing your TED talk (your first “painting”) and hope there will be other ways for all of us to keep hearing your story. Thank you for what you have done, you have enriched my life greatly.
# Freya Godard, February 5th 2014
Dear Ben and Tarka,
It’s not surprising that you feel somewhat disappointed as you approach the end of your journey, because you won’t be returning to the companionship and congratulations of a hut or ship full of fellow explorers who themselves know what it’s like to travel on the Barrier or even on the Beardmore Glacier.
Moreover, no one can recreate today the importance attached a hundred years ago to reaching the Pole or a new Furthest South, or the glory awaiting those who did so.
Nevertheless, with your blog and photos you have made an important contribution to our appreciation of the courage and stamina of the first Antarctic explorers, and that is no small achievement.
With much admiration,
Freya Godard in snowy Toronto
# gail rose, February 5th 2014
Thank you for sharing your journey. Please take care and be safe. From Mississauga, ON Canada
# Uncle Pete, February 5th 2014
Boys thay looks good on the map this evening - Wednesday 18:30 Milawi time! Temperature here a bit warmer. Missed a post en route here but glad to hear you safe if still challenged but now a final run- in tomorrow - take care to the very end and don’t spoil it by falling down in the bar!
I am sure there will follow lots of analysis (much of it no doubt hot wind from armchairs) but I do hope you recover from the hardship and realise just what you are on the brink of achieving. I admire your dogged persistence and, provided you take are in the bar, determination to survive the worst nature can throw at you - well done.
# Leigh Phillips, February 5th 2014
Ben , you say its been frustratingly hard to convey your story but I must admit that I think you’ve triumphed! I think your wonderful has carried us all on the journey with you, many thanks for sharing it with us :-) here’s to more adventures, after all my morning commute will be boring with out it
# Leigh Phillips, February 5th 2014
Wonderful writing! Doh. Blame it on my fence just blowing over.
# Cameron, February 5th 2014
Been following you at school. Hope you have good luck on your last day. You have been doing so well.We will see how you have done tomorrow - good luck!
From Cameron
# Intrepid, February 5th 2014
Did you guys stretch every morning? Just curious… I know you’re not using a slew of muscles you are used to using, as well as losing a lot of muscles you are used to having. Stretching though—has it been necessary?