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.
Improvise, Adapt, Overcome (Day 84)
Day 84: S84° 32' 33", E168° 12' 16.2"
Duration: 4 Hr 30 Min
Daily distance: 12.1 Mi
Distance to go: 503.3 Mi
Temperature: -9 °C
Wind chill: -16 °C
Altitude: 4278 Ft
By the time you read this it'll be January 17th, which is the date Captain Scott, along with his companions Bowers, Oates, Wilson and Evans reached the South Pole. Scott famously described it as "An awful place" and their journey over the plateau as "awful monotony", and while Tarka and I have had a pretty unique glimpse into the sort of deprivation, exhaustion and suffering they must have battled, we're also awestruck at their tenacity and spirit in the face of such profound isolation and risk; neither of which we have come anywhere near experiencing, with our daily satellite phone calls, emails, live satellite tracking, and video messages from loved ones, friends and supporters.
Speaking of suffering and deprivation, we're both hungrier than ever, which I wasn't expecting after the amount we refuelled following our resupply, but I suspect our bodies have so little fat or superfluous muscle they can turn into fuel that we're almost totally reliant on what we eat to keep us going now. Tarka commented today that dragging a sledge full of food around and yet being hungry all day is a pretty effective form of torture.
Lastly, an update on our progress: Tarka snapped one of his crampons today so we've stopped early to repair it, and while it was a real shock and an undeniable setback - especially as the crampons were among the few bits of our gear that have seemed bombproof and performed flawlessly so far - the repair looks solid and we should be able to put in another big day tomorrow. As Tarka put it this evening (I've omitted several swear words to make his feelings suitable for a family audience): "This place never gives you an inch, it never cuts you any slack and it always has to have the upper hand. It's either a whiteout or a headwind or it's freezing cold or a bad surface or there's some catastrophe like this. I've never known anywhere like it."
Comments
# Anthea Henton, January 17th 2014
Sometimes only a really good swearing session cuts it for me.. But I really can’t imagine Tarka swearing.. not even one word. Seriously he’s so composed. Maybe I’m wrong and Ben has constantly been subjected to a tirade of expletives the whole time but hasn’t mentioned it… highly doubtful.
It does however put my own “potty mouth” (my mothers description) into focus. I have never been in the Antarctic: ravenously hungry; tired beyond recognition;with a broken cramp-on. As such, I will aim to resort to swearing only when I feel my upper limits have been reached, which I assure you will not involve the extreme situations of Ben and Tarka.
You both still utterly amaze me.
# Susan from Michigan, January 17th 2014
Sorry you had a delay yesterday, but maybe that allowed for your bodies to gain some strength for the journey ahead. I also wish you weren’t hungry all the time. Hopefully you will be home soon and all this will be a wonderful memory for you. Stay strong and know we are all traveling with you in spirit for support.
# Janet Stanley , January 17th 2014
A fitting tribute to Scott & his men , stay safe :)
# Jarda, January 17th 2014
What a nice solidarity when everybody wants to offer you some of his/her own body fat :-)
Keep going (not too fast, descending the Beardmore is very dangerous) and don´t forget to gather some geological specimen (like Scott - but not too much).
When I am reading your blog I can´t imagine how Dr. Wilson was able (before 102 years, with much worse equipment, in hard conditions of late season..) to haul so hard and to sketch many nice pictures during a rest time.
I appreciate you, guys, and I wish you lot of energy and a good surface!
# torsten richter, January 17th 2014
Today it is Scott, Wilson, Bowers, Oates and Evans to commemorate. These 5 people have achieved something unusual. The greatest adventure story, the most severe march of human history and, incidentally discovered Scott, Evans and Lashly in October-December 1903 its western trip, the Antarctica is a continent. R.I.P.
# William Bridges, January 17th 2014
Ben, Tarka,
What an amazing journey! I am just a 19 year old student, whining about my exams and the struggle it was to wake up for a 9:30am exam. I have also just moaned about the inconvenience of a brief power cut. Your efforts are staggering and quite inspirational.
I have been inspired to recreate this journey by Scott and yourself in equal measure, at some point in my life time; although it is my intention to do it sooner rather than later. I am in awe of your efforts, and one day I hope to be able to say that I have done it, just like you will some day soon be able too.
God speed.
Will
# Sheila England, January 17th 2014
As I look out my window at a clear cold (37?) day, I have a hard time imagining where you are at this moment. It seems such an abstract idea,....but you are there at this very moment, plugging along. We are all thinking about you guys, and trying our best to cheer you on. You are amazing.
Almost there!
-Sheila
# Paul Bower (Downe Arms hotel), January 17th 2014
If you can call up the diagram showing your track & position. Now you will see the enormity of your achievement & spur you on to the finish. Keep it up!
# Dave, January 17th 2014
I wasn’t sure what to make of today’s photo, but when I read your blog “snapped crampon” made as much sense as anything.
Regarding dj’s “I’m wondering what specific actions ya’ll have put in place to assure that it doesn’t happen again”, I’m wondering if he or she thinks you’re planning to make another go of it in the future.
How many more blog contributions should we expect Tarka to make before your distance to go reaches zero? I’m tremendously impressed with your ability to continue communicating so well even while dealing with all the hardships and daily tasks.
# CaninesCashews, January 17th 2014
Hi guys,
Late to the discussion today – hope you manage to sate some of those hunger pains at dinner tonight.
Shame about the crampon, but thankfully it seems, no injury for Tarka. At least you had the kit and know how to fix it in the field.
An incredible anniversary today - I can’t even begin to imagine how devastating it must have been for the Terra Nova guys to see another flag fluttering at the pole as they arrived.
As for your seemingly endless perseverance, particularly after the crampon incident, one of my favourite quotes from Mary Anne Radmacher,
“Courage doesn’t always roar, sometimes it’s the quiet voice at the end of the day whispering ‘I will try again tomorrow”
Stay Safe,
Gav
# Richard Pierce, January 17th 2014
Thought it appropriate, on this anniversary day, to add my poem about Scott at the Pole.
Scott at the Pole, 17th January 1912
We plant our flag into the frozen
Tip of the planet, a failed gesture
Because someone else was here first.
We try to seem hopeful not weary,
Successful not beaten, but the pictures
Won’t lie. We are broken.
I never dreamed of anything like this,
Cannot stop the tears in secret,
Beneath our poor slighted banner.
We left it too late, too late leaving,
Too late arriving, and too late for
Turning home. All is emptiness.
We are so mortal, so pervious
To the final cold, loss frozen
Forever into our barren faces.
R
# Dave, January 17th 2014
Really great. Is this the first time it’s been published for public consumption?
# Richard Pierce, January 17th 2014
Thanks very much, Dave. I published it on my blog (http://www.tettig.blogspot.com) on 17th January 2012. And I wrote the original draft on 10th February 2008, a month after getting back from the Antarctic.
R
# Andrea, January 18th 2014
After the poem’s thoughts , the second thought of that neither the explorers do not live in desert, as is the Amundsen’s flag for the Scott, on the South Pole.
Within the poem alike, the state of frozen captures, it is a form of capturing
# Hilary, January 17th 2014
Keep going guys, you are amazing. Only fifty-three more miles and you’re halfway back from the pole and also three-quarters of the total trip will be done. You’ve already done some of those fifty-three miles today so even less in reality.
Glad the crampon seems to be fixed ok as the fact that you’re on the move today suggests it is. Take care on the rest of the trip down. Onwards and downwards again!