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
# Christian C, February 5th 2014
If it were easy it wouldn’t have been worth doing. The last miles of any major challenge are always a grind. You truly have pushed the limits of human endurance and of course that is going to show.
Outstanding outstanding effort from you both, your team , families and loved ones too.
Quite a party slightly over the horizon I imagine…
Chapeau! :-)
# Kevin Wright, February 5th 2014
Hi Guys
You are both such an inspiration to us all. You have managed to do the unthinkable and deserve the otter most respect from explorers new and old. We are all watching your every move over the next 24 hours just take care and look foreword to to your reward. You are already history makers. Praying for you both so Keep going! Kev
# sharon, February 5th 2014
Gents - I am in awe of your talents, commitment, perserverance, determination, and downright stubborness to take on such a herculean task.
As you so rightly say, we can never know just what it is and has been like for you both during these past 100+ days (not including the gruelling training you both undertook), although you have transported your thoughts, leadership chanllenges and passion for this challenge throughout your blogs.
I’ve loved reading. You have inspired many nd will I’m sure continue to inspire many more.
Your challenge is a daily topic in work, and a source of further daily inspiration.
Congratulations on the job so far - not much further.
Keep safe
Sharon
# Marty Hazen, February 5th 2014
Gentlemen, as I write this I’ve just checked your latest position, so tantalizingly close to your final steps. Epic does not begin to describe the feat that ends with those final steps, and will soon be committed to history as a crowning achievement of man.
For you to have accomplished what may well have been considered the impossible just a few short months ago while maintaining such composure speaks volumes of your character and drive. My hat is off to you Gents.
It is my hope that the weather allows you to see the sound as you trudge those last few miles, no doubt giving a little inspiration along the way (not to mention allowing the residents of Scott Base the opportunity to see and record your approach). God speed.
# Marina Kleinwort, February 5th 2014
B & T
Fingers crossed only another 24 hours before we can start our own cyber blog celebration on your behalf! I will be stuck at an event frustrated I won’t be able to check my phone to see when you cross the finish line, bitter sweet though that may be. Beside myself with excitement for you both and so happy for your families that they can soon relax. Hoping tomorrow is a good day without mishap (looks as though you did a monster day today) and you have enough energy left for another mega man hug at the end… @Andy I assume we will see the news when they reach base on the website soon after they reach it rather than via a blog the next morning? Waiting with baited breath. x
# Mal Owen, February 5th 2014
Last night in your home of 104 days. Rest your weary heads and travel those last steps safely tomorrow. It’s not long now ‘til your dream is realised. I feel honoured to be able to share the moment.
What does a clock do when it’s hungry? It goes back four seconds.
I’m sure your super Bremont watch won’t do that but you’ll soon be able to do the same !
# Hannah , February 5th 2014
To my science lesson comrade… Have been gripped following the journey - so inspiring! I only ever got as far as planet Thanet Ben ;) exploration is a fundamental part of our being and you guys actually do it - so thank you for your perseverance and technological know-how that has allowed our voyeurism to persist! Safe journey home - will miss this series!
# Chris Jeffcoat, February 5th 2014
Guys,
Only yesterday evening I was talking to Giles at the Bremont Boutique about your achievements and how they are just out of this world.Everyone is so proud of you both.
Very very well done.
Take care,
Regards
Chris
# Austin Duryea, February 5th 2014
It is so awesome what y’all guys are doing. Only two days left of the bitter cold and, sluggish weather. It will suck to know that we only have two days of following you left but it was awesome while it lasted.( For us at least.) What do you think your next challenge will be? Any way of following you on that one too? Keep up the great work and remember never give up. Just keep thinking about the big juicy burger that your gonna buy when you get home.
# Matt (Minnesota), February 6th 2014
A steaming hot bath, a shave, a haircut and the luxurious feel of clean cotton cloths will go a long way to restore you to civilization. Then the bar.
Congratulations on your epic journey; you’ve managed with dignity and aplomb (at least from my armchair) and I presume that what’s said in the wilderness will remain in the wilderness. Thanks to both of you and your crew for taking us on this grand adventure.
# Irene, February 6th 2014
Glued to this space. Finish in one piece, guys!
# Philip, February 6th 2014
“we’d perhaps hoped Antarctica would hold more moments of beauty and joy” ... that made me sad to read. You’ve done something that Scott almost succeded, but you and Tarka are the only one to have done it. Maybe it’s the exhaustion that make you think that way, take a real deep breath tomorrow, take a look around, even if you took look around for the last 3 months, take a last good one, for the memory you’ll cherish for the rest of your life. Don’t loose faith at the 11’th hour, you’ve done something I would have wanted to do with you even after I’ve read every bit of suffering you’ve past thru.
“a win without risk is to triumph without glory” translated from Le Cid, II 2