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.
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
# Kevin , January 28th 2014
Hi Guys. The Beardmore and Ice Barrier seem to know when she’s has visitors both Scott and Swan experienced this and I distinctly remember Robert Swan telling me how he stared at Ice and snow for so long that he started to hallucinate and saw Spinoza’s God. He then tried to make a deal asking this monster not kill them and made a promise to protect it. Little did he know then that this promise would see him launch 2041 his quest to save the earths last wilderness!
I hope and pray to god that the last days of your quest to complete the planned journey that Scott was unable to do will be rewarding and safe with improvement in the weather. Gods speed. Keep going! Kev
# Intrepid, January 28th 2014
Saw a quote zipping around FB today. Tweaked it a little for you….
As you slog through the fog, just yell, plot twist! and move on.
# Heidi, January 28th 2014
We are so proud of all that you have accomplished. We are praying you both through these last nine days. Regarding the whiteout conditions -I guess it must give you a glimpse of what the namesake party experienced when they were not too far ahead of where you are now. There’s a reason that you haven’t seen anyone else on your trek - it’s an inhospitable land, saved for passage by only a small handful of brave souls. Tarka, Ben, you are brave souls. We have faith in your keen abilities to slog through the fog to complete the trek. One ski in front of the other, and warmest hugs.
# J, January 28th 2014
I have been following your mammoth trek since the very beginning and am amazed at the strength and fortitude of you both. When you talk about the white outs, feeling hungry, walking for hours into what feels like nothing, the more I think of Scott and his men who’s mental fortitude at the time must have been tremendous, without the benefit of todays modern electronics. It all boils down to the person himself, his strength of mind, the optimism to keep going, discipline caring and kindness towards each other to achieve the goal. Both of you are a source of inspiration to us all. Roll on nine more days.
I am still surprised about the lack of media coverage. I am in Canada and but no body seems to know much about you expedition here. Anybody else no why. It seems the world is missing out on history to me.
# Sheila England, January 28th 2014
I’m sure people that work factory jobs could talk about Monotony! (and exhaustion!)
Keep that cheery attitude in focus; it’s what keeps you going.
On the ‘news’ front, Pete Seeger passed away Monday night in NYC.
-Sheila
# Zoe, January 28th 2014
Keep on keeping on you two! Sending you sunny thoughts from cloudy Seattle, WA!
# Class 4NC British School of Beijing, January 29th 2014
Dear Ben and Tarka,
We are currently in the middle of our topic on Polar Explorers this term. We have been watching your progress with GREAT interest and wonder. Everyday the children log on to see how far you have traveled and how far you have to go. We are in absolute wonder and awe at the achievement of you guys. The children are going to hold a party in school on the day that you both reach Scotts Hut. KEEP GOING! YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!! P.S Beijing is cold at the moment, so we are in sympathy with how cold it must be in Antarctica!!
From 4NC! XO
# Austin Duryea, January 29th 2014
Great job Ben and Tarka. Doing better than ever. The whole Ninth Grade Center is on their toes to wait and see when you get back. Especially me. Great job guys and keep up the hard work. I wanted to know if you had any idea on what your next challenge will be?
# Cameron M Smith, January 29th 2014
Good going, fellas. Nine days! What a journey.
# Ava, February 2nd 2014
I am 6 you are brave to be one of the people who go to the antarctic even though it is a dangerous place.