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.
Monotone Monotony (Day 95)
Day 95: S80° 55' 5.16", E168° 48' 7.20"
Duration: 9 Hr 30 Min
Daily distance: 23.6 Mi
Distance to go: 247.5 Mi
Temperature: -6 °C
Wind chill: -9 °C
Altitude: 203 Ft
Another day, another whiteout. As we stood up groggily and got ready to start skiing again after our third or fourth break of the day, Tarka said "I'm amazed you're able to keep explaining to people on the blog just how awful this is". "I said it was like staring at a blank grey wall for nine hours", I replied. "I'm not sure they'd really understand", he said, threading his mittened hands into the wrist loops of his ski poles, "After all, how many people have done anything for nine hours straight?"
The man has a point, and it really is difficult to know how to put into words how mentally challenging this weather is proving for us at the moment. We travelled all day today - nine-and-a-half hours - with no visual reference points at all, just cloud and mist and the occasional faint pale cream disc of the sun, always too feeble to cast a shadow or dispel the freezing fog that clung to our clothing and gear. Tarka even spotted a monochrome rainbow today.
We took the tent down in a hazy mist this morning, we pitched it again in a hazy fog this evening, and in between we did all we could to force our weary bodies to keep trudging forwards to meet our minimum target of 38km today.
We both cracked up with genuine belly laughter at one of the breaks today (which hasn't happened in a while) when we both realised we'd been battling the same thoughts when following each other leading; namely the urge to stop and sit on our sledge to rest, and to shout forward to say that we just needed a little breather.
We both wake up feeling exhausted, we're both hungry around the clock, and we're both unable to hold any loftier trains of thought than fantasising about what we're going to eat when we're finished.
On a cheerier note, we've nailed a load of milestones: we're inside 80 degrees south, we've passed 2,500km total distance, we're into single figures (nine days left) and we're pretty sure we'd have lost sight of the mountains, if we could see anything at all.
We're very grateful for all the support online, and please do keep the messages and comments coming. It's great to hear that the amazing Leo Houlding has been chiming in (Leo - I'm looking forward to catching up over a slap-up dinner when I'm back!), and we were chuffed to get a video message from Mark Twight (though the last shot of the eggs-and-bacon breakfast haunted me for an entire day).
So that's it: a miserable day's slog, and it seems Antarctica is going to make us to suffer like dogs right down to the finish line. Onwards!
Comments
# CaninesCashews, January 28th 2014
Hi guys,
A day of milestones to behold.
Another couple from our side of the ‘tinternet – as of today there have been more than 3,600 blog posts since day one of the expedition. That’s quite a community you guys have built. Also your team are teetering on the brink with the twitter account @scottexpedition – 999 tweets! Great stuff.
Single figures guys – onwards.
Oh and lastly I applied for a job in Australia, but it seems I don’t have the right koalifications.
Stay safe,
Gav
# Heidi, January 28th 2014
Make that 3,601 blog posts!
# Tom Buttle, January 28th 2014
Guys,
A truly superb expedition - not simply for the physical endurance, the integrity, the ability to hold together smart decision making and of course the resilient friendship that so many people have recognised. You are of course truly remarkable men for all of this.
What’s almost as astounding is how incredible an expedition it has been because of the remarkable insights you’re offering back to the world. And this is thanks, of course in part to the technology, but predominantly to your abilities to express yourselves so clearly and openly whilst under such great physical and mental pressure.
Very few endurance undertakings of such magnitude can ever really allow people such a view of what you’re going through - from the emotions through to the detail of the terrain - in (relative) real time. Those of us sat comfortably in our homes and offices can never really feel what you’re feeling, but the quality of engagement is unparalleled.
Thanks to you, and to your sponsors, for such a superb commitment to this project. I for one have loved following, ‘liking’ and day dreaming about it.
The best of luck for your closing days - be safe. And enjoy the grub when you’re back. Nothing beats a hearty meal (and for me - a can of coke) when you come back in from the cold or the mountains.
Very best wishes, and cheers,
Tom
# Janet Stanley, January 28th 2014
Great going again , sorry about the monotony..every footstep is a footstep closer to home…...when I was a child & had a long walk to go on, I would imagine I was with Scott’s party & each footstep was an accomplished mile, it felt satisfying somehow & gave me the fortitude to continue. Great limerick Richard! Keep safe Ben & Tarka :)
# Dainger, January 28th 2014
Hey Tarks, a wee ‘home’ mail which may bring some cheer to those interminable days of hard slog. Have just de-neiged and de-iced your mothers car and can tell you, even though -15C is not quite in your territory, it does give us a wee bit of thought as to what you guys are going through in your daily struggle. We took Boogie out for a run through the forest yesterday eve and have to say, standing tall at 25cms, he was still more than a match for 35cms of crisp fresh virgin champagne powder snow. We’re thinking of getting a doggie snorkel for the poor we thing. Took lots of video for you but viewing it later in the warmth, all one could see in the footage from time to time was flurries of dusty snow, with the occasional sighting of a cold wet pink nose coming up for air. Upon reflection, white dogs, white snow and dull grey/white overcast sky doesn’t give to good video content, no matter how talented he is at acrobatic leaps of faith off the forest tracks and into the deep deep snow. You can blame the producer for that one.
Needless to say we’re all proud of you guys, you’re both continuously in our thoughts. Stay safe and get working on that snorkel. T@D
# Charles, January 28th 2014
I’ve done the 9hrs of pulling and staring at a grey blanket. 9hrs of having no reference point, where you think the ground is going up when it’s going down, where you lose your balance for no reason, where sastrugis come out of no where.
Hang in there guys ! You’re getting closer and closer. We who read are all cheering for you.
What will come first ? a beer or a hot shower ? I’m going for the beer or any other kind of booze.
cheers
# Lydia, January 28th 2014
Charles
I think I would go for a proper sit down loo first then the beer in the bath option.
Lydia
# Ione & Rich, January 28th 2014
can’t control myself, limerickitis:
Said Tarka & Ben,‘By Jove! Our,
Generous sponsor Land Rover,
Can’t know how it feels
When you HAVEN’T got wheels,
Will they give us a ride when it’s over?
# Henry Worsley, January 28th 2014
Shackleton called it the ‘white darkness’.
So you are in good company.
More agony than ecstasy at the moment, but the sentinel that is Erebus will lift you soon.
Stretch the nostril wide….
# Andrea, January 29th 2014
Besides Erebus indeed, this “spotted a monochrome rainbow today.” encapsulates the difference between the antarctic dangers of the today’s descriptions and the human beings, namely, it is the independence of the human spirit , he is the one who carries those dangers till back to McMurdo. The today’s descriptions are of the nature from there, a nature that produces omnipresent hungry and irritation and mind’s guidance for the physical body . Even, the courage of a silent nature, as visible in the today’s picture.
# Caroline R, January 28th 2014
Ben, Tarka. I am enjoying the fact that you are inspiring poetic responses too…
Each step, each 90 minutes of sheer grit is getting you there. And in your minds eye, imagine us cheering, willing you on - admittedly with a latte to hand - but humbled by the enormity of your goal, your courage and endurance. You’re doing great.
# MJB, January 28th 2014
I read the last post to my 3 and 6 year olds this morning. I have been telling them your story and Scott’s. It is -14F at home in the Midwest today with wind chills at -35F. So I had them step outside to breath in the air and told them this is what Ben and Tarka are breathing, all the time. This is their air. I also told them that maybe someday they will follow in the steps of the Great Ben and Tarka Expedition. You two are the new story. Strength and blessings to you both.
# Mal Owen, January 28th 2014
Keep ploughing through the mist because we all know what’s waiting on the other side.
Tarka is amazed that you’re not running out of things to write .... I am too because I’m drying up !
...........and so today a couple of jokes to keep you going !
I didn’t like my beard at first. Then it grew on me.
Did you know? Acupuncture was invented by a camper who found a porcupine in his sleeping bag.
# Mal Owen, January 28th 2014
PS
I tried to catch some fog….. I mist.
# philip, January 28th 2014
Nine Hours Straight, with apologies to Edward Lear
Keep going Ben and Tarka,
Just remember to put on a Parka.
Your view may be dull, grey and white
But very soon the contrasts will be bright
And your clothing considerably smarter.
# Brendan Smith, January 28th 2014
Been following you on this blog, Facebook, and Youtube for months. It has been a inspirational to hear your story and how your are honoring Captain Scott and his men.
It just troubles me that so many people today care more about the Kardashians, Justin Beiber, and Miley Cyrus that true heroes like Ben and Tarka. Perhaps when you are home and the media can tell your story it will give folks a chance to reconsider the people we look up to.
Crack on and come home safely!
# Richard Pierce, January 28th 2014
Brendan,
Well said.
R