Tracking
the Journey
-
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.
Milestones - Take Two (Day 93)
Day 93: S81° 36' 12", E169° 5' 34.8"
Duration: 9 Hr 30 Min
Daily distance: 24.9 Mi
Distance to go: 295.1 Mi
Temperature: -9 °C
Wind chill: -17 °C
Altitude: 154 Ft
I realised that I'd given a blog post this title two days ago without actually writing about the milestones we're becoming increasingly obsessed by each day. Getting safely to the bottom of the Beardmore and safely through the Gateway on to the Ross Ice Shelf again has been a massive one for a while, then of course there are our string of depots dotted back to Ross Island. Aside from those, we have some arbitrary ones: losing site of the mountains behind us is one at the moment, spotting Minna Bluff, White Island, Dark Island, Erebus and Terror are big ones, and we're counting down each degree of longitude as well. Getting to single-figures as far as remaining days to go will be massive (we think we're 11 days away from finishing as I type this) and right now, getting through each day, 90-minute session by 90-minute session is often as far ahead as we can think.
Today was colder, with sunshine and patchy cloud when we set off, with the visibility deteriorating to near-zero again in the afternoon, and our morale slumping accordingly. Thankfully the surface has been really good on the Ice Shelf so far - the opposite of what we were expecting, and had been told to expect - and we're ticking along nicely with our light sledges. We're both as tired and as hungry as ever; I know a few people have asked why we're not taking a rest day, and the answer is that a) we don't have a huge amount of spare food until the depot-after-next (and we want to keep what we have spare for emergencies/storms/etc.) and b) we're keen to finish, get home to our loved ones, stuff our faces, have a shower and sleep in a normal bed as soon as we can!
Comments
# Intrepid, January 26th 2014
Dearest Ben and Tarka,
YES!! How powerful it is to let rise to the surface one after the other important markers (including guidance, push/pull tensions, and motivating factors), even if 2 weeks from now or 10 years later you wonder how those could be. It is probably odd to say such a thing…. your post today feels good, complete.
299 miles of skiing to go, 299 miles to go,
You ski some more, make tracks in the snow,
298 miles of skiing to go.
298 miles of skiing to go, 298 miles to go,
You ski some more, make tracks in the snow,
297 miles of skiing to go….
Godspeed!
With abandon,
# Uncle Pete, January 26th 2014
After what you have been through, 11 days seems so close - indeed GE graphically shows how you are consuming the miles up, halfway milestone on the Shelf hopefully behind you soon. I can well imagine you might then want to get past the poignant point of Scott’s last resting place and make sure you have your next main supply safely back on board (and in your tummies!). It is clear you consider this in your balancing act on rest.
It is a relief to hear the surface is better running, aiding your superb daily advance, let us pray this continues but for better visibility and good weather so you can keep true track to your objective. Willing you onward in safety.
# torsten richter, January 26th 2014
Pavol: Sure it would have made if they had been the first at the Pole Scott. There is much in the mind and the disappointment must have been very great to see the flag, but we can not all by feel. Back then, everything was empty, no houses or buildings as they are today at the pole. I think the power of Scott increases as they have come so far, because that speaks for their great morals. And without the storm and the injured colleagues they would have made it home too. And for me, their performance is the largest and can not be topped. What did these brave men with the heavy equipment, clothing, ski and without the GPS and without help is remarkable.
# Melissa, January 26th 2014
If it’s any consolation, you have people rooting for you from all corners of the planet. Here’s my good wishes from the mountains of Colorado for a speedy last 295 miles. Stay safe and thank you for taking the time and energy to write these updates. Reading your blog entries is the first thing I do every morning. You inspire me to start my day grateful and with no complaints! You have no idea how much you’ve impacted so many people. Still, throughout all of this, my thoughts are with your mums as much as with you! I’m sure they will be very happy to have their adventurous boys safely back home.
PS: I can’t wait for the book to come out. Right? They’ll be a book?
# Ruth Jewell, January 26th 2014
It feels like we are there with you, and I know if any one of us could take a step to help you along the way we would, but that would defeat your amazing goal. Those steps are yours to take on our behalf and each one now takes you closer to home. You have achieved more than anyone would dare to dream, but your dream is a reality and you are living your dream. A true inspiration to us all. Keep taking those steps one by one and remember we are all there with you every step of the way. xxx
# Mal Owen, January 26th 2014
What speed and mileage… .... the thought of the next depot, closer still to the goal and finally home are great motivators and explain why you forgoe a rest day…..easy it is not, but you are nearly there. ...just keep clocking off those 90 minutes.. single figures imminent !
Prince Harry, recently in the Antarctic for Walking with the Wounded, has a sense of humour too. A news article afterwards reported this definition of A Royal flush ;
‘Prince Harry’s specialised elaborate antarctic latrines with castellated sides, flagpole and loo-roll holder.’
# Leo Houlding, January 26th 2014
Yes guys, you’re closing in on the finish line! Awesome stuff. Sat by the fire with my wife and baby girl in the Lakes following your epic. It’s nice here you must come visit sometime.Great work on this tireless blog, a major accomplishment on top of the massive haul.We’re right behind you.
Sure you’re out there dreaming of home and we’re sat here dreaming of an excellent adventure like yours. You’ll remember this one for a while.
How’s the wind down there on the ice shelf? Speed, direction?
Keep a steady cruise gents, you’re almost there!
Sending strong support across cyberspace,
Leo
# Tim, January 26th 2014
Hang in there mate - nearly there. I’m watching every step of the way. You guys are incredible! WELL DONE! TR
# Marinak, January 26th 2014
Tech Question: Are you using an ND filter for the camera and if so what No? Maybe Andy knows?
# Andy, January 26th 2014
No ND filters on their cameras but they do have UV filters.
# MarinaK, January 26th 2014
Thanks Andy.
# Helena, January 26th 2014
11 days? wow, you are almost there! wonderful job!
Joke 1: For what reason would you now turn back and return to the South Pole? :-D
Joke 2: “Dear, what do you like most about me? My gorgeous body or my beautiful face?”
“No, your sense of humor”.
Me and my mom are sending you hugs and calories, here: @@@@ and @@@@
# CaninesCashews, January 26th 2014
Hi guys,
Keep doing what you’re doing and the doing will soon be done.
Stay safe,
Gav
# Martin, January 26th 2014
Ben and Tarka
My 7yr old and i have followed your journey from the start and you have been an inspiration to us both. it is extrodinary what humans can achieve given the physical and mental toughness you have both displayed. As Ben mentions in his TEDtalks ‘true inspiration and growth comes from adversity and challenge’ words which seem so poingnant now. Ben, (also from TEDtalk) i guess you can now smile at your old school report which said you ‘lack the impetus to achieve anything!!’ that has to now go down as a classic.. Keep safe and good luck on the final few days….(Staplestreet is rooting for you)