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.

Round One Hundred and Two (Day 102)

Posted February 3rd 2014,
by Ben Saunders

Category: Expedition, The Return Journey

Day 103: S78° 28' 59.05", E168° 30' 28.80"

Duration: 10 Hr

Daily distance: 23.7 Mi

Distance to go: 63.8 Mi

Temperature: -11 °C

Wind chill: -16 °C

Altitude: 161 Ft

This continent seems to be throwing everything it has at us in our final few days. Today we slogged away under heavy cloud cover again, luckily with a sliver of horizon that  - as you can see in the photo - gave us a glimpse of Black Island and made navigating relatively easy, though that was the extent of our view for ten hours on foot. The contrast was too poor for us to see the snow surface and the mess of small ridges and sastrugi underfoot, and it felt at times like we were trying to cross a frozen ploughed field on rollerskates. I fell over hard twice, and even Tarka (who lives in the Alps, whose mother is a ski instructor, and who I believe had his first pair of ski boots fitted shortly after his umbilical cord was cut) stacked it badly this afternoon. We laughed at each other when we slipped over three months ago, but now we're like two frail old men, living in fear of fracturing something in a fall at the eleventh hour of this Goliath trek.

Despite our proximity to the finish line, our sheer exhaustion seems to be standing in the way of us getting excited just yet, and lying in the tent in the evening getting psyched-up for another day of the same after too little sleep is never easy. Tarka's pep talk this evening contained one of his best lines yet: "Mate, we've gone a hundred and two rounds with Antarctica and we've won every one of them. Tomorrow we're going to win round one hundred and three."

That's all for now, as I desperately need some sleep! We plan to do a "normal" day of 38-40km tomorrow and then a jumbo last day on Wednesday 5th, with about 30km before picking up our first depot, where we'll pick up one day's food, pitch the tent, scoff it all, sleep for an hour or so and then carry on for roughly 25km to the shore of Ross Island. Watch this space...

Comments

# DJ, February 4th 2014

WOW!  It’s exhausting just knowing you people!  — I guess we know now what your secret was,you’re homesick and want outta that place even if it does you in.  Sleep tight!

# Emma, February 5th 2014

Naw bro, trust each other!

# Tara Carlisle, February 4th 2014

We’re watching! And holding our breath. And keeping everything crossed! And praying even if we never pray.
Thank you.
Tara

# AlisonP, February 4th 2014

Yes, exactly what we are doing too!!!  OMG, you are so close now!  Take cate for the rest.

# AlisonP, February 4th 2014

that’s care, not cate!

# James Daly, February 4th 2014

Having worn the same kit as Scott in Antarctica and carried out a small expedition a few years ago, your trip is of epic proportions.
Good luck for the last few days…..I expect you are dreaming of food and sleeping in a bed !
You really are nearly there…..finish it for the memory of Scott and his men !
Bon voyage…..Perhaps see you again in Richmond Park.
James

# Aleks, February 4th 2014

One of the better thrillers I’ve read in a while! Waking up every morning reading your progress the past couple of weeks has been an inspiring start to the day!

# Sylvie Griffon, February 4th 2014

Dear Ben and Tarka,

I’ve been following your progress reports from the every beginning, admiringly, and with wonder. Having read all I could find about Scott and Shackleton’s expeditions, I’m quite amazed at the exploit (you may have better equipment and knowledge than the first explorers, Antarctica remains the most inhospitable place on earth), and very glad to be able to read your field notes. It’s a bit late to comment about it, but I’ve been moved to tears by what you wrote about Scott on day 99. Although he may be seen by some people as a failure, his personal courage, the way he bared his heart in his journals make him very special. Retracing his footsteps, and sharing it with us as you do, in spite of all that Antarctica is throwing at you, is a great gift for which I will just say “thank you”.

Praying for your success. Farewell and Godspeed.

Greetings from France.

Sylvie

# Richard Pierce, February 4th 2014

Dear Sylvie,

How very well spoken. And I realise I owe you an email from almost 2 years ago. I apologise for being an unreliable old man.

All my very best,

R

# wonderwoman, February 4th 2014

Only a few more days do go. A few more days of careful going. Only a few more rounds to win. We send good winds to you and pray for your safe return.

# CaninesCashews, February 4th 2014

Hi guys,

I love the ‘normal’ in inverted commas. I’m pretty sure that there is not one single thing normal about this ‘camping trip’.

I like the hundred rounds analogy – can’t get away from the Rocky theme I see – although that would be a hell of a sequel!

Sounds like an epic plan for that final stint – take care.

God Speed and stay safe.

Gav.

# Jon T., February 4th 2014

only a few more days…  It is quite amusing to see you guys pass by several of the waypoints from your trip out as you take on this final leg of the journey.  I think it is also incredible that you have all of this data that you are collecting and keeping for reference once you get home :)  I am truly blessed to have discovered this project a week before you took off from Chile.

Best wishes and God speed!

# Vimalatharmaiyah Gnanaruban, February 4th 2014

You two are winning round after round and I’m sure will win the last two too. Absolute pleasure to track you throughout the expedition, but still something in me wants more; like a video coverage of the last hour in high definition, bird-eye view from a helicopter annoyingly flyover your head, while a heavy metal band warming up the shore.
In all seriousness, is there anyone at the finish-line waiting for you?
You certainly deserve a celebratory greeting at the end. Speaking of which, here is my favorite in recent years: Diana Nyad at the end her 53 hr swim from Cuba to Florida: http://bit.ly/LKmulT

# Jarda, February 4th 2014

Hi Ben and Tarka,
your performance is great and more than incredible. Thank you for your courage and how you have clearly showed how the real polar expedition should look like (using of best available technologies, but at the same time there is a form of return to the roots).
What can we expect from you for the next time? Unsupported crossing of Antarctica as Shackleton had planned it? (but hopefully you will not need to sail the boat to South Georgia :-)

# Mal Owen, February 4th 2014

It might be round one hundred and three but not out for the count , despite all that’s being thrown at you.
As for those last few miles, in the words of Blackadder ‘Sounds like a cunning plan.’
Stay safe and keep aiming for that little black marker.

# David, February 4th 2014

Stay safe and be careful during your last few days of this epic trip. I imagine, as said before, helicopters looking for first sight of you and following you to Discovery point - but that’s note you style

# Bryce, February 4th 2014

It probably been quoted in the past but here it is again. Ben and Tarka, thank you for letting us learn a little from your midnight toils. Your are an inspiration to me.

The Ladder of St. Augustine
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Saint Augustine! well hast thou said,
    That of our vices we can frame
A ladder, if we will but tread
    Beneath our feet each deed of shame!

All common things, each day’s events,
    That with the hour begin and end,
Our pleasures and our discontents,
    Are rounds by which we may ascend.

The low desire, the base design,
    That makes another’s virtues less;
The revel of the ruddy wine,
    And all occasions of excess;

The longing for ignoble things;
    The strife for triumph more than truth;
The hardening of the heart, that brings
    Irreverence for the dreams of youth;

All thoughts of ill; all evil deeds,
    That have their root in thoughts of ill;
Whatever hinders or impedes
    The action of the nobler will; —

All these must first be trampled down
    Beneath our feet, if we would gain
In the bright fields of fair renown
    The right of eminent domain.

We have not wings, we cannot soar;
    But we have feet to scale and climb
By slow degrees, by more and more,
    The cloudy summits of our time.

The mighty pyramids of stone
    That wedge-like cleave the desert airs,
When nearer seen, and better known,
    Are but gigantic flights of stairs.

The distant mountains, that uprear
    Their solid bastions to the skies,
Are crossed by pathways, that appear
    As we to higher levels rise.

The heights by great men reached and kept
    Were not attained by sudden flight,
But they, while their companions slept,
    Were toiling upward in the night.

Standing on what too long we bore
    With shoulders bent and downcast eyes,
We may discern — unseen before —
    A path to higher destinies,

Nor doom the irrevocable Past
    As wholly wasted, wholly vain,
If, rising on its wrecks, at last
    To something nobler we attain.

# sue and noodle, February 4th 2014

Its often said, ” the longest mile is the last mile home “. I can equate it to driving home with a few miles to go and struggling to keep eyes open and stay awake. You don’t have the choice of pulling into a layby for forty winks, you just have to keep pulling and I know you will.
I will miss my daily fix of reading of your inner strength , courage and determination. , and Tarks, I know Boogie and Katie, whoops, Katie and Boogie will be pleased to have you home as we all will.
As always,
Much love form Sue, and a woof from Noodle

# Ariane, February 4th 2014

Adding my prayers, incantations, positive visualizations etc to the rest.

You’ve got this.

# Janet Stanley, February 4th 2014

Last leg of any journey is always the hardest, please stay safe :)

# DaveT, February 4th 2014

Ben and Tarka - as many have said, an inspirational and fantastic achievement! Your experiences, so well relayed via this blog, have given us real insight into what Scott and his men must have struggled against 100 years or so ago.
Two questions arise in my mind from your latest blog, which perhaps someone else might be able to answer if you are too hard pressed:
1. Do we understand why White Island remains covered by snow whilst Black Island evidently doesn’t?
2. Will this web site continue to provide information on your subsequent activities, lecture tours etc, once the great adventure is over?

# Dave, February 4th 2014

Good questions, Dave.  Regarding #2, I fear we’ve become Ben and Tarka addicts.  We had John Evans of the first team to scale Mount Vinson on our Antarctic cruise in December.  He was terrific, and I can imagine that both Ben and Tarka would be hugely popular focal points in a similar role someday in the future.

Continued safety and progress.

# martin hartley, February 4th 2014

“If you are going through hell, keep going” Winston Churchill

I think you have mastered the art of that.. W Need to see close up photos of your faces at the end of the day..outside the tent please

# andrew, February 4th 2014

cutting umbilical cord? No, this one has a 1/8” BSP taper bung. From memory there is a locking wire. Pretty reliable, as is the whole system. Go Go gear now, you are going to get there.

# kiwawa, February 4th 2014

Have you picked out a song you have planned to pass the finish line to? Ill be waiting by the phone for the next three days. Your loving sister X

# Mal Owen, February 4th 2014

@kiwawa I realise your question wasn’t for me ... Strange but I was just listening to Jon and Vangelis’ I’ll Find My Way Home (I know the lyrics are supposed to have religious meaning) but I think music is what you personally feel and read.
Apart from the beautiful music which for me when I close my eyes, is spurring B&T onwards, many of the lyrics seem somewhat appropriate for these last moments.

# Janet Carey, February 4th 2014

You’ve more than earned your place in history - awesome. Stay safe on the final leg and enjoy.

# Arthur Blackwell, February 4th 2014

We ( the World ) are waiting for you to finish safely fellows.

Would love to see you both in Hobart, Tasmania sometime.

The building that Douglas Mawson had built for radio contact with his expedition still stands on the site where it was built over one hundred years ago, it is being looked after and still in use by the local Amateur Radio Group. “By May 1912 the Hobart wireless station was in working order, ‘which greatly facilitated wireless business,’ Sawyer wrote.”

Reference;  http://mawsonshuts.antarctica.gov.au/macquarie-island/the-wireless-relay/bad-news-and-a-breakthrough

” Then on 8 February (1913) came a second signal from Antarctica – an intercepted message from Cape Denison to Aurora asking that the ship return to collect the rest of the party as Mawson had returned but Ninnis and Mertz were dead. The Macquarie party was shocked at the news, wrote Ainsworth – compounded the next day when news came from Australia of the loss of Robert Scott’s South Pole party. “

Cheers and stay safe
Arthur Blackwell

# Richard Pierce, February 4th 2014

Thanks very much for this, Arthur. The Mawson story is often only mentioned as a footnote in history, but is as riveting and tragic as that of Scott’s expedition. R

# Dave, February 4th 2014

I, along with much of the rest of the news-following world, was introduced to the story of the Mawson Expedition when the Akademik Shokalskiy became icebound.  Antarctica is much in the news as of late.

# Dave in Michigan, February 4th 2014

Ben & Tarka,
Once again I want to thank you for taking us with you on this epic journey.  From your daily logs we feel like we watched you pull that sled, we heard the squeaky snow, we sat inside that crowded tent, we watched you dig snow and melt it to make water, and we saw you sitting on your sleds taking each well deserved break. And it wasn’t like reading a book because we knew it was happening in the present. 

While you are walking in this vast foreign land we are living ordinary lives clearing the snow off from our cars, shoveling snow off the driveway and going to work. Each reader is living their own “adventure” while reading about a real one happening in Antarctica. Thanks for the inspiration and the effort it took to bring us along with you. Be well on these last few days. Enjoy!

# Alper, February 4th 2014

Godspeed! So gripping to read this. Rooting for you guys to arrive safely!

# Rebecca, February 4th 2014

I’m continually astonished not only by the hard work you’re putting in for 100+ days in the most terrible conditions, but that you somehow find the wherewithal to write something here for us each day. We all thank you for giving us this touchstone, and hope that, in your more leisure days to come, you’ll have the chance to read all our comments and know how grateful we are that you’re sharing even a tiny bit of your experience with us. The next couple of days will be awful and glorious, and you’ll be in our thoughts every step of the way. Safe journey, be well.

# Charles, February 4th 2014

Carry on and good luck !  Our cheers are with you for the final push.
Thanks for sharing this quarter of a year with us.  We hope more will be coming on the post expedition.
Cheers

# Pavol Timko, February 4th 2014

Great photo today! Blue rock of a distant mountain which is like a lighthouse marking the end of your journey. Exhausted but winning. You gave a new slant on life to many. Thank you!

# MJB, February 4th 2014

Suffering, Round by round.  The history is being written and made with each of your posts.  As you stare the beast down, we push you on in the only ways we can from afar.  This journey, alas, only you can finish.  Keep going.  Keep going.

# Sharyle, February 4th 2014

It’s been a delight to read your daily blogs and watch your incredible journey.  The end is in sight.  Please take care and be safe during the final kilometers.  You’re almost there!  Scott would be most proud.

# A Connor, February 4th 2014

Following your journey has been so inspirational!

Trivial question: how did you decide how long the line should be connecting you to the sled? Has its length changed at all through the journey?

# CaninesCashews, February 4th 2014

As of this morning this merry band of followers have amassed a fantastic 4000 blog posts over the last 102 days.
A growing community spread over many countries coming together for one purpose – come on boys not long now!!!

Gav

# dj, February 4th 2014

Mssr Cashew… you surely mean “4000 comments on your blog posts” don’t you? —Ben does the post, we do the comments (although some of them are long enough to have been a post if they had been published to their own web site).

# CaninesCashews, February 4th 2014

DJ you are of course correct.

# Paul Bower (Downe Arms hotel), February 4th 2014

Fantastic !!!!!!

# Year 2 at St.Peter's School York, February 4th 2014

We are Year 2 from St Peter’s School in York.  We have been doing a topic called ‘To Boldly Go…’ and we think you are a perfect example of going boldly!  We have read all about Captain Scott and we think it’s great you are following his route.  Our school theme this term is ‘Endurance’ and it makes us feel that we want to be like you. 
You have travelled so far.  You are doing ashtonishingly well.  Keep it up and we hope you keep very safe. We are SO excited that you are nearly there!
love from
2H and 2S

# Kat, February 4th 2014

Often I’ve quietly read these comments, thinking yes! perfectly put!...thinking I’ve got nothing to add to the well-felt well-thought thoughts of others.  Maybe occasionally I get a little over-excited about those fabulous ginger-beards, or a little emotional as I do when I think of B & T’s suffering or safety…Or when I’m reminded of the incredible story of Scott, Wilson, Evans, Bowers and Oates.  For those of us whose imaginations are captured by Antarctica, by Scott, Shackleton, Mawson, the Northern Party and all their men, (and the modern explorers, adventurers and scientists!) this expedition has been incredibly illuminating.  I know from these blog posts and comments that I’m not the only one who is very touched by this expedition. Ben, your writing is heartfelt, clear and evocative (and frequently hilarious). Thank-you both Ben and Tarka, for your vision, and no-doubt prodigious thighs…and to your support team and sponsors AND to the crazy crazy technology which allows you to share all this with us.

I’m not a believer, but I want to wish you Godspeed. It seems the right word to use in this circumstance. Be safe, stay sound. We’re all with you with best thoughts and wishes.

# Richard Pierce, February 4th 2014

Had me welling up there, Kat. Thank you. R

# Intrepid, February 4th 2014

63 miles of skiing to go, 63 miles to go,
You ski some more, make tracks in the snow,
62 miles of skiing to go.
62 miles of skiing to go, 62 miles to go,
You ski some more, make tracks in the snow,
61 miles of skiing to go….

Dear Ben and Tarka,

Wednesday looks to be another epic 18+ hours kind of day. It would be fun if Google kept track of how many clicks on Antarctica and following the Scott Expedition took place. Hint….

Not necessarily that I am concerned, rather , I am quite interested in knowing - you carry an instrument which gauges altitude, does it have a horizontal range it calculates this for? When I look at Google Earth I can see that ice thickness varies. How thick does ice need to be in order to have a safe passage?

Best of luck as your body wavers and kerplunkity glides across the icescape….
Stay strong. Stay safe.

Godspeed!!!
with Abandon,

# Helena, February 4th 2014

Wonderful job and I can’t wait to see pics from the finish line, I hope someone will make a film of you two coming into the last kilometer of your journey including passing the Gate of Glory at the very finish line. If I was there I would be jumping there as a small kid yelling some catchwords of joy :-D

Enjoy your last kilometres even thought these are tough - you will certainly have many memories.

Great job, I am so pride of you :-)))))))))

friends from Brno, CZ

# Heidi, February 4th 2014

Hmmm…does anyone know where Andy Ward and Tem Doran are at right now??

# Andy, February 4th 2014

Sadly sitting behind a desk in London following Ben and Tarka’s progress as well

# Dave, February 4th 2014

I like London.  :)

Will you see Ben and Tarka before they return there?

# Heidi, February 5th 2014

Andy, I’m sorry you aren’t able to be there to meet them when they finish.  But, alas, I guess you’ve still got to handle all the logistics so they can return safely home.  Thank you for being an integral member of this awesome team.

# Richard Pierce, February 4th 2014

Just adding to a comment I made yesterday in which I said that ending the expedition at Scott Base would seem most appropriate, I came across this from my novel, which reminded me of what a special place Scott Base is (as opposed to my view of McMurdo Station).

Birdie, by the way, is the main female protagonist.

“[Scott Base] has the touch and scent of being alive. It has a sense of history, and not just in the photos that line every wall, the age-worn noticeboards and the skuffed skirting boards. There have been adventures here. People have left from here and never returned. People have met here, and fallen in love or formed friendships for life. It breathes.

She’s sitting in the lounge, under a lamp that’s always on. It throws a yellow light over her face, colours her hair even brighter, even spikier, soaks into her cheekbones, her every tiny feature. The lounge, full of books and comfortable chairs, faces south, and the light is always on to guide Scott, Bowers, Wilson, Oates and Evans home. Birdie under the light is a guardian angel, the presence that could bring them back safely. What will we find of them when we get out to Cape Evans, where they left from, and never returned? Will there be anything tangible of them there, something to hold on to and carry with us until we, too, are lost?”

And thus, Ben and Tarka, and we, the watchers, too, will be lost somewhere in time, somewhere in the future. But the legend will persist, the legend of fact, a legend into which Ben and Tarka will have walked when their journey ends at the end of this week.

Go well, all of you.

R

# T.g, February 4th 2014

Not long to go now would be a mission complete after all that hard work. Bet you are looking forward to a nice warm home with a toilet and all needs. Will be able to have a lovely hot tea and see your family and rest at last.

# Kat, February 4th 2014

“A lovely hot tea”...Yes!  Does anyone else recall that wonderful picture of Wilson, Birdie and Cherry after the horrors of the winter journey, that journey which beggared the imagination…Wilson staring full forward; Birdie just finished blowing to cool his tea, like it was any other work-day; and Cherry, poor Cherry, thick chunk of buttered bread, three more loaded and ready to eat on his plate, looking like he’d seen one or more of the rings of hell.  Heroes all!

# Ian, February 4th 2014

I too will miss my daily dose of vicarious suffering, thank you both.
I imagine that you will be reflecting on Tom Crean’s astounding 37 mile solo walk to Hut Point, to get help for the moribund Lieutenant Evans, what a boy; though I am sure you would do it if you had to.

# Kat, February 4th 2014

Tom Crean!  What a man he was…So many extraordinary stories of extraordinary men! Such integrity, strength of character, body, spirit.

# Kevin Wright, February 4th 2014

Hi Guys. I hope you both slept well and are totally refreshed for this new day. Non of us can have any idea the level of exhaustion you guys are experiencing! I wish I could do something , anything to help! All I can say is that the world is watching your every moment as you come to the end of an amazing journey. Keep your sites on your loved ones and all the reasons you planned this remarkable journey.We are all praying for your journeys end and a safe journey home. Take care, Keep Going and Gods Speed! Kev

# Willie Hannah, February 4th 2014

Ben and Tarka, the most dangerous phase of any operation is the extraction, keep you guard up until the last step. Be safe, Be strong, a truly Hoofing Effort.  Willie

# Sheila England , February 4th 2014

My god, it must be so frustrating knowing the end is finally in site. Sleep well.
Take careful steps.

# Marina Kleinwort, February 4th 2014

OMG.  I am without technology for 6 days and you are suddenly very close to achieving your dreams.  How totally mind-bogglingly phenomenal.  I wonder what the first thing you will do is when back in civilisation?  I wonder if it will be hard to be to integrate with other people having just been the two of you for so long?  I wonder whether you want to finish this trip quietly or even if that will be possible with the McMurdo base right there?  So many questions: both serious and very silly, so hurry back to safety, eat, sleep and come back to the UK soon please!

# Sheila England , February 4th 2014

It’s bound to be a sensory/culture shock.

# Brian Warren, February 4th 2014

Gentlemen, I’m rooting for you! Keep up the great work. Godspeed!

# Andy E, February 4th 2014

One hundred and two rounds behind you & 63.8 miles left to before you, impeccable & inspirational, scathed & starved yet unbeaten & humble- qualities of the great explorers you both undoubtedly are.  Proving that the unobtainable extremes can be met (but by no means Conquered) with measure and the application of grit.  There are few alive who’s footsteps have strode your path and none that ever were that equal .  Far from over is the psychological distance afore you within the ‘final push’yet so close are the rewards of your near immeasurable labour.
If ever we meet i would be honoured to make for you a roast dinner of such proportion as to match your calorific loss you have given in the name of exploration!

# Enrico, February 4th 2014

so, you are almost at finish line! well done Ben & Tarka

# Offroading Home, February 4th 2014

Andy… since we now know that you are still behind your desk, I wonder if you might do all of us “watchers” a HUGE favor and ask them to turn up the frequency of their transmitted trackpoints, not for the whole duration but at least for that “last slog of about 25 km” after their final “cat nap.”  I figure you set the “hourly” ping because you you were worried about power consumption and batteries; but, they seem strong now and that would give a more “real time” and actual “break-the-ribbon” aspect to it.  If you could afford a setting of every 10 minutes you’d probably stand a much better chance of actually catching the trackpoint which documents the end of the journey (I feel bad about not reminding you to do the same thing at the South Pole - but there was other issues there as we know.)

# Heidi, February 4th 2014

DJ, My Google Earth-reading skills are rudimentary.  Where is the “exact” location of Ben and Tarka:  are they where I see your tent icon, or is it the red “pin” that’s a few miles back?  Thank you for clarifying.

# Offroading Home, February 5th 2014

@Heidi… the Antarctica Resource File is not “real time” - it relies on the published data from the expedition.  It is also hand-crafted - meaning not automated like the expeditions. Therefore, at any one moment you may see pointers move, or lag behind which usually means I’m working on that file at that moment and refreshing your map a moment later may cause the icons to flip into position.

All that said, as you can see, the Resource Map goes much beyond what the expedition’s map is set up to do - they’ve got other things on their mind.  Our Google Earth file tries to be as up to date as it can be (but I’ve got to sleep some time) but it not definitively current.  If you want to see timings, descriptions of where they are, speed/direction/location calculations, comparison maps of other explorers, web cams, south pole station maps, satellite ice sheet images, and tons of labels on geological places that Google Earth doesn’t show—- well, this is your file.

This isn’t the first expedition that we’ve followed with resource maps and we’ve decided that once this expedition is completed we’ll make a permanent map out of it and place it on our web server for all to see and reference.

# Heid, February 6th 2014

Thank you for the explanation.  And glad to see I’m not the only one who has put in some late nights/early mornings waiting for current info and posts from the expeditioners.

# jan, February 4th 2014

What a friendship. We can only glimpse in the desciption of your journey your hardships , and can only continue to wish you the very best in the last few days. We know someone who will be very pleased and relieved to have you safely home..

# Sam c, February 4th 2014

Good luck with the final stretch, i’ve really enjoyed following your adventure and think that you have shown us that it’s not all about the final result but in the journey itself.  You have demonstrated that no matter how tough it’s going to be any journey is both easier and more enjoyable with solid teamwork, friendship and total respect for each other. Well done guys.

# Austin Duryea, February 5th 2014

Amazing. Absolutely amazing. If I was doing what you guys were doing I probably wouldn’t even be able to make it through a week. Absolutely inspiring. Keep going guys and finish off strong.

# Mitch M, February 5th 2014

What you will have accomplished in the next few days is short of amazing. I am curious though. What advice would you give to a much younger Ben (let’s says 103 days younger) at the beginning of his journey?

# Heidi, February 5th 2014

Excellent question!

# McDowell Crook, February 5th 2014

Here’s to round one hundred and three!!

# Colin Buckley, February 5th 2014

Ben, Tarka if by any chance you’ll be at the Geneve motorshow on the Land Rover stand.
I gotta get a photo with you guys. Great going
God speed all the way now.
Stay safe
Colin

# mia, February 5th 2014

I can’t wait to get that call saying you’ve done it!!!! X

# Linda Henry, February 5th 2014

Ben you write so beautifully and really bring your ordeal to life for us.  I look forward each week to your stories.  Fantastic acheivement for you both and almost over.  PHEW!!!!
Lots of love XX

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