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.
Milestones (Day 91)
Day 91: S82° 18' 31.2", E169° 27' 27"
Duration: 9 Hr
Daily distance: 24.8 Mi
Distance to go: 344.2 Mi
Temperature: -5 °C
Wind chill: -11 °C
Altitude: 157 Ft
Andy (our expedition manager) emailed us a selection of a couple of dozen recent comments from the blog. We're on such a tight schedule of skiing, blogging, eating and sleeping here (and so zonked) that we don't have time to read them all at the moment, sadly, but I'm a) staggered at the interest and support we're getting, and b) feeling guilty for writing such short posts lately. We're hugely grateful for each and every comment, and I can't wait to read them all when I'm back in the land of wifi, coffee and cake, probably in Punta Arenas, Chile.
Today was, as you can probably guess, another challenging one. The weather was fine this morning but it clouded over in the afternoon and we found ourselves again trudging through a very flat light towards a faint grey horizon that we'd never reach. The hardest bit by far, though, is getting up in the mornings. We're waking up progressively more tired each day and getting out of a cozy sleeping bag to do nine hours of skiing with a sledge in tow is taking every ounce of determination and self-discipline we have.
We're constantly hungry too, and this Winnie the Pooh quote from the recent comments (thanks Sue and Noodle!) sums up our current mindset to a tee: 'When you wake up in the morning,Pooh,' said Piglet at last, 'what's the first thing you say to yourself ?. 'What's for breakfast ? ' said Pooh. 'What do you say, Piglet?' 'I say I wonder what's going to happen exciting to-day?' said Piglet. Pooh nodded thoughtfully. 'It's the same thing,' he said.
Last up, for your amusement, I've sent back a tent 'selfie' featuring my 91-day beard.
And I'll finish by answering a good question from Jim:
Q) Physically, how do you plan to re-adjust after a gruelling experience like this? How different does it feel now that you are in a lower altitude?
A) Tarka and I talk about this a lot, and while we don't have a definite plan, we both think we could sleep for twice as much as we are at the moment (averaging five to six hours per night out here) and we can both reel off vast fantasy food lists of all the things we're going to devour when we get back to civilisation. Perhaps strangely, I'm looking forward to doing some 'normal' exercise again - running, cycling, weight training - as we've become hopelessly imbalanced and weak when it comes to anything except plodding at a moderate speed dragging a sledge. I'm also planning a few weeks of 'rehab' at the hands of Balance Physio in London (and my excellent massage therapist Kellie), with Putney Chiropractic Clinic (and the excellent Dr. Craig) and possibly also throwing in some accupuncture (I've never tried it), a bit of yoga and a few other things. As far as being back at sea level goes (well, 24 metres above it this evening) the difference is phenomenal. We both found ourselves frequently short of breath above 3,000m on the plateau, which obviously isn't an issue down here. It's a great deal warmer too, and we've gone from windchill in the minus 30s and 40s to ambient temperatures barely below freezing and windchill that's rarely in double figures, so life is far more pleasant and we no longer have to prise our frozen face masks away from our iced-up beards before getting into our sleeping bags in the evening...
Comments
# Roi, January 24th 2014
Hi guys, you are my heroes:))
I have a question in case you can enlighten me, as im going to the arctic and I wonder how do you dry wet clothes in such snowy and subzero conditions.
Thanks for any answers, and safe return from bleaky frozenland soon!
# Kieran Delaney, January 24th 2014
Hello Gentlemen,
I have been following your journey for the better part of the last two months and debated whether or not I can contribute any words worth the time you might otherwise spend getting some much needed rest. Ultimately, I would just like to thank you both for inspiring me to broaden horizons at a time in my life when I have felt very limited and directionless. Each morning, I wake up to a cup of coffee and look to your posts for the encouragement to keep on plodding, to plan my own adventures and to challenge myself with new endeavors.
All my best for a safe return,
K
# Nora Wolfe, January 24th 2014
I have several thougths this morning. One is a very selfish thought. What am I going to do with my mornings after your trip is over and I am without your blog? I will have to hope that you go on a lecture tour and somehow make it to Oregon, USA. You have meant a lot to me and reminded me that all people need to dig down deep to find the courage and resolve to push through life’s obstacles and that we all have more reserve than we think we have. On that note, I wanted to let you know that I have forwarded the Pooh Bear quote and its context to a friend who had open heart surgery this week. I think it fits him beautifully and my wish for him is what you two have achieved…...love of life and all its challenges and joys. (please go on a speaking tour and come to Oregon, LOLOLOL)
# Adam, January 24th 2014
An amazing quote! I’ve really enjoyed the blog and while I’m sure that the two of you are anxious to finish the trip I know that I won’t be the only one who will be upset when you finish and you take away our morning ritual of sitting down with a cup of coffee and breakfast and reading up on both your ups and downs (although I’ll admit that I do feel a little bad at times when I’m eating something that you mention in your wish list).
The quality of this blog has been outstanding and we all really appreciate both the time and the effort that goes into making such thoughtful and non repetitive (especially considering the nature of how you spend your days) .
Now that the end of the journey is rapidly approaching, Ben will you be doing more TED talks to discuss your Antarctic trek? It’s always fascinating to hear about how you like to drag heavy things around in cold places!
Adam
# Diane Griffith, January 24th 2014
Hi, Ben & Tarka - Definitely try accupuncture once you get home. It’s so helpful for both mind and body (be sure to get a ‘third eye’ needle). I echo Richard and the others - take a rest day if you can. Although your selfie today is priceless, you do look tired (but lovely, of course). We all want you and Tarka back in one piece.
# CaninesCashews, January 24th 2014
Hi guys,
A little late to the party - today meetings all day.
What a magnificent beard Ben – love it!!
Most of what I might have said today has been covered already by this excellent community of B & T followers. So I will just say well done on the continued fortitude and sheer force of will as you knock down this mileage.
I like to assume that if you need a rest day you will make the right decision between you and the team and take one. Samething with the food.
One from the numbers guy as well – over the last 15 days you have averaged just over 20 miles per day, and that includes all the time battling Beardmore. Pretty amazing stuff.
Stay Safe,
Gav
# Helena, January 24th 2014
You are doing just great, thanks for your blog :-) Still with you!!
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When I saw today’s pic in your blog, this came to my mind:
The man in the barber chair signalled with his finger. ‘Have you got another razor?’ he whispered.
‘Of course, sir,’ said the barber. ‘But may I ask you why?’
‘I’d like to defend myself,’ said the customer.
:P :D
# torsten richter, January 24th 2014
Ben and Tarka can be flown out anytime when everything else fails. Scott had no help in view and that makes the difference. One should not compare the two expeditions. The performance of the pioneers is not repeatable. I wish both of them good luck.
# kyle ross, January 24th 2014
Keep it up boys and stay safe. One word AWESOME.
# Dominic Holt, January 24th 2014
Just wanted to pass on my thanks and appreciation for such an interesting, honest and illuminating daily record. Having read the Scott diaries in ‘real time’ so to speak over more than a year over the anniversary, its amazing how both records capture the highs and lows and enormity of the challenge. Well done and keep it up. PS: Writing this has reminded me to dig out my copy of South for later this year.
# Feathers and Fur Falconry Centre, January 24th 2014
Oh my goodness, Ben please dont tell Tarka that you have mentioned both your own dog and the very beautiful Noodle (in today blog) but i dont think you have mentioned Tarka’s dog Boogie, whom i know first hand is waiting patiently by the front door for his best friend to return safe x
Love and best wishes to you both from me and my two mutts x
# Ty McClelland, January 24th 2014
The scientist in me wonders if you had full blood work an stress testing performed prior to your journey beginning, then having it performed again shortly on return? What spectacular…or normal…results those would be for research.
The type if physical demands you two have been through should prove to anyone that anything is possible when you place your mind to it (not to sound overly cliche).
I have watched your journey and have been inspired to use your story when talking to others who complain about not having cell phone service inside a building. They are foolish mortals, while you two, explorers, rise to be legends!