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.
Downhill, a Dog-Leg and a Depot (Day 81)
Day 81: S85° 10' 31.80", E161° 44' 35.88"
Duration: 9 Hr
Daily distance: 22.9 Mi
Distance to go: 562.2 Mi
Temperature: -19 °C
Wind chill: -24 °C
Altitude: 7362 Ft
Today had a bit of magic in it, and we haven't had a day like that for a while down here. The weather was grim when we set out; nearly a complete whiteout and at best a flat, grey light and thick cloud that would have given Scott and his men real trouble (he writes in his diary of one man - usually Birdie Bowers - scouting ahead in poor visibility, searching for signs of their old tracks, or for the snow cairns they left at regular intervals).
For us, it meant getting a magnetic bearing from our GPS, setting the compass and skiing blindly into the gloom, confident in the knowledge that the tiny gadget, along with the help of a few billion dollars' worth of satellites, knew exactly where we were, exactly where our buried depot was, and exactly where the waypoints were that would allow us to safely steer a dog-leg around the western edge of the Shackleton Ice Falls, avoiding getting tangled up in its giant crevasses and pressure ridges.
Our navigation was bang-on, and although the surface was ridged with sastrugi for most of the day and therefore tough on ankles, knees, elbows and shoulders as we struggled to keep our balance, we covered 22.9 miles (39.8km) in all.
The cloud finally lifted at 7pm as we were approaching our depot, and the view was glorious. We spotted the spare ski we'd left as a marker, defiantly standing upright in the wind with its fabric streamer flapping madly. I saw it first, and my excitement reminded me of going to the coast at Lyme Regis or Weymouth with my brother as a child, wondering who would spot the sea first. I can't tell you what a joy it is having scenery again after so many days on the featureless plateau, and I thought the Dominion Range looked stunning this evening as the last of the cloud rolled off it.
Taking bearings on Mount Darwin and Buckley Island (Rob, we'll send a photo back tomorrow when we're next to it!) was a very special feeling indeed, and I couldn't help reflecting that the only other teams to have skied towards these landmarks were led by Sir Ernest Shackleton and Captain Scott. Not for the first time I felt like a bit of an imposter as I led us towards the depot; little old me who learnt to read a compass as a Scout. It's a special feeling being here, and tomorrow the Beardmore awaits...
Comments
# Andrea, January 14th 2014
This imposture, an humans development and advances’ accompaniment, is encountered in finally demonstrating today an old mathematical theorem too, when, the same was then and today the way of thinking,to research for the solutions and to apply them.
# Damian, January 14th 2014
There’s a gleam of positvity in your writing today, things are looking up!
# wonderwoman, January 14th 2014
Horray, the mountains and the depot! We send you many happy greetings from Finland.
# Bryce, January 14th 2014
Congratulations for reaching the depot and the Beardmore! It is great to hear about your early experience as a scout. As a former scoutmaster I hope one of my former scouts set out on as epic a journey as you have. You should find that old scoutmaster that taught you so many years ago and tell him of your journey. I bet you’d put him in tears with the tale you have!
# Stephen Hackett, January 14th 2014
Fantastic photo of a fantastic view. Good luck for the Beardmore.
# Buzz, January 14th 2014
Fantastic effort and a wonderful achievement (irrespective of snide remarks by armchair lightweights). You are both exhibiting amazing resolve and courage. Keep up the great work, you’re both inspirational.
# Raven, January 14th 2014
Enjoy those clean socks!
# Intrepid, January 14th 2014
Every cell in my body is fantastically excited. Your journey has its way of making a suspenseful story of my emotions. I am happy for you. Very happy that you have the plateau behind you, the depot absorbed into your gear again, and sir Beardmore as a transition for the last leg of your time on the ice. May the cleaner socks help you keep your feet feeling snappy and stays with you all the way down.
Cheerios
# Rob Swan , January 14th 2014
Tarka and Ben ..well done.. now you know why I was banging On and On about Buckley Island .. good work , great work , . careful every step down the Beardmore . please keep the focus Rob Swan
# Brendan Smith, January 14th 2014
Each day I can feel the mood in your blog posts, and today you sound Bfrilliant!
You are certainly not imposters! Take care!
# Christian P, January 14th 2014
What a wonderful place on earth, where you can leave your stuff behind you - unprotected for so long time. Enjoy the new pairs of socks and maybe the new underwear. Stay safe and strong and concentrated on the glacier. Regards and fingers crossed for the descent from Berlin.
# Leigh Phillips , January 14th 2014
Another brfilliant photo from your tent door. I bet it makes a huge change for you having some scenery. I too hope you will do a lecture tour.