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
# dj, January 17th 2014
Really glad you’re ok. We’ve all been following the “break” in travel all day worrying about what kind of possible physical injury might have accompanied a broken crampon. How much force does it take to break a crampon… what are they made of… and how’s Tarka’s foot? Looking back on this very segment passed when climbing up, it substantially slowed you down then as well. What was the obstacle that did that much damage? Did I say that we’re glad you’re ok?
# dj, January 17th 2014
Oh, sorry I’ve just got to ask. It hasn’t been too long ago that you spent a day in camp recovering from, what did you call it, hypothermia from near starvation? I think you also said that you had mis-calculated supplies needed; but, I’m not sure we’ve ever heard what the final assessment was. I’m asking this because I’m wondering what specific actions ya’ll have put in place to assure that it doesn’t happen again. Frankly, from the symptoms you’ve described today I’m agreeing with you that you seem to be on the “edge"and either need less energy output (as if that could happen) or greater caloric intake. What do you think? Could you clue us in a little on this?
# Christian P - Berlin, January 17th 2014
Tarka, Ben,
Please never forget the shining sun behind the clouds. My thoughts are with you. Stay strong, brfilliant and at the end there is your “Victory”! Greetings from Germany
# Allison & Mark, January 17th 2014
More than two thirds of your epic joirney completed.
There may be only the two of you but you are keeping an enormous amount of people entertained and educated by giving us an insight of your journey and personal inner feelings. We cannot have any idea of what it must be like to be in your shoes/crampons
There are good things about (relative) solitude, apart from the cold, wind, snow and ice that is. Anyway, if you were back here now, the way the world is, it would still irritate you, albeit in warmer temperatures.
Not far now. Looking forward to meeting you again up here in the wilds of Lincolnshire.
# Robin Stevens, January 17th 2014
Lads you are doing so well!!! I couldn’t imagine doing the challenge that you have taken on. Working on merchant ships in the Baltic in the ice and snow during winter was enough lol.
I hope Intel appreciate your efforts, I wonder if Scott ever thought that there would be such an after party of his mark on the most inhospitable beautiful land ?
Hope you make better progress today and the repair job holds out till Scott’s hut,my fingers, toes and anchors are crossed!!!!
All the best,
Robin Stevens from St.Ives Cornwall
# Richard Pierce , January 17th 2014
I obviously put the hoodoo on you yesterday by commenting on your distance, so I’ll say nothing of the sort today. I think I was punished by not being able to get to sleep till 3 a.m., hence my late arrival here.
Worried by your comment about feeling hungry all the time, and hope you do have enough food to get you safely back to Terra Nova.
Glad the damage seems to have been not too severe and that Tarka is not injured in any way. When you write the book of the expedition, please do put in the swear words.
Wishing you a good, safe day with much progress.
God Speed.
R
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dead-Men-Richard-Pierce/dp/0715642960
# Uncle Pete, January 17th 2014
I think we can imagine the deleted expletives, justified under the circumstances! A tough break, in every way. We trust you fashioned a substantial repair, it is not clear from the photo whether this was a metal break or strapping - hopefully the latter which might be easier to fashion the repair. Further proof - if needed - of the really extreme conditions you are working under. I hope your equipment suppliers appreciate the sort of field testing you are carrying out! Take precaution on the repair and wishing you good progress down today and a safe passage onto the Ice Shelf in the next few days. Maybe your bodies got a slight break during the enforced stop to build up some reserves. Go safe.
# Bill Taylor, January 17th 2014
Timely reminder, thanks. Take care and eat well!
# Chris Wood, January 17th 2014
Incredible mileage for the 4.5hrs, well done! Have a good meal, and take the spare time to gather your strengths. I know you know this but for the next few days you both need to keep your wits about you, don’t let the relatively easy journey on the way up trick you into missing that little ankle twisting crevace. The blue sky and mountains in the photo are like a postcard. It must be such a boost to your spirits to see something physically moving in your field of vision, gps tells you that you travelled but how great to see actual scenery instead of endless white.
Wishing you safe, sunny travels
# Phil Satoor, January 17th 2014
I found the following paragraph from Birdie Bowers’ Diary -
“January 24 [1912] ... otherwise we are all well, but thinning, and in spite of our good rations
get hungrier daily. I sometimes spend much thought on the march with
plans for making a pig of myself on the first opportunity. As that will
be after a further march of 700 miles they are a bit premature.”
[Apsley Cherry Garrard’s “The Worst Journey in the World”]
I have often thought when reading this that if they were getting hungrier, their rations can’t have been as good as they thought they were. However, I assumed that with the advance in nutritional knowledge in the last 100 years, a current expedition would find their modern rations satisfying and they would avoid hunger. But several times in your blog, you’ve mentioned your getting hungrier which makes me suspect that whatever rations you took, you would eventually get hungry. To avoid this you would have to start with so much food you would hardly be able to drag it. Anyway, I think the time for such a discussion is after the expedition is over.
For now, keep safe and if possible, enjoy your journey. I would think you’re very unlikely to go that way again!!
# Debbie, January 17th 2014
Hi Ben and Tarka,
You are both doing so well! I am rubbish when I am hungry, it makes me grumpy so here’s a joke to cheer you up;
Q: What did the big furry hat say to the warm woolly scarf?
A: “You hang around while I go on ahead.”
keeping going you are on the way home :) Look after yourselves x
# Nansen, January 17th 2014
Sorry to hear about the crampon. I have had the same trouble with the same crampons and boots. It has been caused because going down puts more pressure on the crampon than going up. Given the state of the glacier I think you will be fine even though the damage is annoying. Re your hunger, I am puzzled by why you didn’t take more food from the resupply? I would have thought if you were going to that trouble you would get more than 8 days extra food (ie less than 12 kg)?
# Usman Awan, January 18th 2014
Hi Tarka,
You are doing great. You guys have set a great goal improve yourself to compete the challenges then adapt it and then overcome. This is simply great may you guys be the victors at the end of day. Best of luck for all your team member.
Regards,
Usman from Technosoft Solutions Inc.
# Helena, January 17th 2014
I am so sorry for you guys you are being hungry all the time now. I wish I could give you some of my fat. Will you be able to make the next month? where will you bodies take the energy now?
I wish I could shake your hands one day, you brave men :-)
# COLIN BUCKLEY, January 17th 2014
Improve,adapt, overcome. Three rules that need to be applied to everyday life.
You guys are like rock, SOLID ROCK! and Rocks can’t be broken that easily. The mind is also a Rock, and it’s power will keep you winning the challenge everyday. Improve as you get closer to the finish line, adapt to the energy required to reach that finish line. And when you get there, well… it’s all been overcome at that point. 1 day closer to victory! Stay safe.
Cheers Colin
# 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!
# Tara Carlisle, January 17th 2014
Must be awful to face the day’s exertion when you are already running on empty. Your followers really are like a little community. We think of you lots throughout our day and wish you every bit of luck. Hope you can feel our collective love and pride. I tell so many people about what you’re doing - so wish there was more news coverage on tv etc, but perhaps you don’t. Really appreciate the fact you dig deep enough to still write for us every night. Know it must be a chore sometimes but your fans devour your every word! Keep safe. What a team.
# Intrepid, January 17th 2014
Hi Ben and Tarka,
The hardship of pulling the food you hunger for is not an easy one to endure. I hope your inner strength and resolve plus the prayers and good wishes from people all around the world boost your body with the energy needed to keep plodding on.
As always, looking forward to your daily posts.
# Deacon Patrick, January 17th 2014
Why was pemmican eliminated as a food, let alone a staple (or even the staple)? For quality calorie density it can not be beat and is proven on all sorts of expeditions, polar and otherwise. Admiral Peary: “Of all foods I am acquainted with, pemmican is the only one that a man can eat twice a day for 365 days and have the last mouthful taste as good as the first.”
I hope the nutrition issues don’t deplete you too much!
# Mal Owen, January 17th 2014
As Scott and his companions 102 years anniversary date is upon us, you have completed more than 70% of your journey….what an accomplishment ...keep going B & T (sounds like a new beverage) ...you’ve even got me in the food and drink mindset !
# Bob Henderson, January 17th 2014
Keep on Keeping on guys. You got this!
# Linda Henry, January 17th 2014
Hi Ben
We have so enjoyed your account of your challenge,you make it all so real and easy to imagine the way you tell your story. Well, easyish. I actually find it impossible to put myself in that setting, facing cold, hunger and fatigue daily. We here in Battersea are all so proud of you. Friends in the park ask after you and are delighted to hear of your progress. Keep it up, you are both an inspiration to all those of us who lack such courage. Love Linda XX
# JanSch, January 17th 2014
Hello you two,
after i could not get up writing a comment first, now i’m going to make good for all the times i missed to leave you a happy mark, especially for christmas and new year. All i can say is that i’m really amazed about what you guys do and about the pressure you guys stand to carry along with you over your journey.
I have been noticing you expedition about two weeks after it’s beginning, and everything i have watched and read so far is just overwhelming. (Well, i have to say - some of the videos and blogs nearly made me cry, so… )
All i can do is wish you the very best for the upcoming part of the expedition, and i hope you come home save and without severe problems. Throwbacks are always possible and can not be foreseen, but i hope you can get along without them.
Courage and all the best from Germany(where really to few people have noticed you action)
JanSch
# Andrea, January 18th 2014
Only because you are pursuing this expedition, you are seeing these real things, the white and black mountains with theirs glaciers in blue-white horizon and the calotte plateau in its proper medium of winds and silence with witch it builds itself.
# Andrea, January 18th 2014
And, yes, the tortures have been always with a reason witch was rational.
# Anton Uhl, January 18th 2014
I cannot even imagine so many days in such an austere life as you two are not only enduring, but conquering - and it is this extreme austerity that puts light and life in all the lives that watch you now and forever in the future. Godspeed, love and all the support in the world for you two as you make your way safely back home.