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.
Into the Mist (Day 92)
Day 92: S81° 57' 56.34", E169° 13' 30.60"
Duration: 9 Hr 30 Min
Daily distance: 24.2 Mi
Distance to go: 320 Mi
Temperature: -4 °C
Wind chill: -7 °C
Altitude: 72 Ft
Not a great deal to report from this end of the planet: another day slogging into a full-blown, zero-visibility whiteout, trying our best to stave off hunger, drowsiness so bad that we both staggered like drunks at times, and perhaps imminent mental breakdown from staring at an infinite foggy white blankness for nearly ten hours (and in my case with drum and bass being transmitted at point-blank range into my eardrums for most of that period).
It was pretty grim, and Tarka and I both vented our frustration by coming up with choice replies to the many well-meaning messages we've had reminding us to "Look up at the horizon" and "Don't forget to enjoy it!" As you can see, looking back behind us yielded better views, in this case of Tarka following my tracks with the mountains behind him. And speaking of views, my self-portrait yesterday triggered a flood of not-so-flattering messages to our satphone, so I dread to think what the comments were like.
This limerick from Tony deserves a wider audience: "The South Pole put Ben through the ringer, And thousands on his website would linger, But despite all the press, The fans think of him less, Ever since they saw he's a ginger."*
When I re-read Scott's diaries out here I always have a horrible feeling that we're perhaps in some way disrespecting the poignant and desperate nature of his last few days on the Ice Shelf by sharing things like this, but the more I read of the Terra Nova expedition (and see of it, in Ponting's incredible film The Great White Silence), the more I'm convinced that humour is a universal and timeless panacea that has helped many people through many dark hours out here in this ever-frozen corner of the world.
Tarka's and my plight may be nowhere near as desperate as Scott's, but I still lack the words to explain the physical and mental depths that we plumb each day, the leaden feeling in my body that I wake up with each morning and my surprise, looking down at my skin-and-bone legs, that I can still generate any motive power at all. This is proving a heck of a camping trip.
*N.B. it's just my giant beard that's ginger. Once upon a time when I used to have hair on the top of my head it was blonde.
Comments
# M . M, January 25th 2014
Hi Guys,
We are learning about you in our class room
You have inspired us by you bravery (Thank you).
We appreciate your hard work and hope you guys Keep
up the hard work,
Meanwhile we are tracking your journey every day so far
and we enjoy hearing your blogs
By M . M
# James , January 25th 2014
Desperately willing you on! One moment at a time, you’re both doing amazingly.
May the ginger beard give you the strength you need to finish this!
J
# Intrepid, January 25th 2014
Forest of blank white
Slogging all day into night
Tests the will and heart
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson went on a camping trip. After a good meal, they lay down for the night and went to sleep. Some hours later, Holmes awoke and nudged his faithful friend. Holmes said: “Watson, look up and tell me what you see”.
Watson said: “I see a fantastic panorama of countless stars”.
Holmes: “And what does that tell you?”
Watson pondered for a moment: “Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful and that we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.”
“Why? – What does it tell you, Holmes?”
Holmes was silent for a moment then spoke: “Someone has stolen our tent.”
# Mal Owen, January 26th 2014
flying ever west
haiku renders brain torpid
sleep my bed prevails
# Intrepid, January 26th 2014
I’m still flying! All day west, west, west. The word torpid popped into my head while I was composing the haiku above. It’s been pressing against me, nudging me to look some more. And here’s where it’s led me to ... wondering about the routine you are in and that there isn’t enough variety. Ben, you even mentioned in a recent post the surprise in finding yourself thinking about working out when you got back home… because you can feel how certain groups of muscles aren’t getting used. Is there anything you guys can do (calling upon expedition experts/consultants for advice) that engages you in a new way, to pull you up out of the “perhaps imminent mental breakdown” with a new pair of bootstraps? Some kind of action or change-up that refuels your boosters? Creativity, mental stimulation, humor…. maybe you can download some Bill Cosby or other comedian; create snow angels for play (someone once asked for a picture of this); listen to a story that really grabs you, maybe lets you drop into a visual picture of somewhere else. I have no idea if anything would make a difference for what you guys go through every day. Is there?
# Intrepid, January 26th 2014
Is there anything that would improve your condition?
# Intrepid, January 26th 2014
Oy vey… concern has its way of seeping through the cracks. My sincere apologies for thinking your journey could be easier!
I now need to search for a more fitting word to express how above and beyond incredible you guys are for holding steadfast and persevering on and on and on and on.
Godspeed!
# Ty McClelland, January 26th 2014
Beautiful view. It looks as tough as your mind and body, but just as beautiful.
About the selfie; if it looks like an explorer, it must be an explorer!!
# Heidi, January 26th 2014
It’s 11:38 PM PST here in California. I’ll be waking up in a few hours to check my iPad for an update, to make sure you both are safe and well. In our family we remember you throughout every day, and I tell everyone I meet about you and the expedition. One ski in front of the other. You have accomplished so much. Warmest hugs. PS, I hope the “Sweety” has served you well! :-) (Sánchez y Sánchez - which eerily resembles Walmart)
# Paul Bower (Downe Arms hotel), January 26th 2014
Hi Ben & Tarka, just looked at the position on the Tracking page, wow you are really getting close to the finish, steady as you go - fantastic!
# Andrea, January 26th 2014
From where he came ?