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.
Season’s Greetings from a Long Way South (Day 61)
Day 61: S89° 20' 3", E154° 17' 43.68"
Duration: 9 Hr 30 Min
Daily distance: 21.6 Mi
Distance to go: 948.7 Mi
Temperature: -24 °C
Wind chill: -32 °C
Altitude: 9708 Ft
Another quick one I'm afraid as it's been a long Christmas Eve here, with a few navigational challenges. We've been navigating so far my using magnetic bearings taken from our two GPS units but today the bearings started taking us wildly off-course, and what's more the two units we have were giving differing bearings by more than 20 degrees.
We've phoned Andy and given it to him as a little Christmas conundrum, but it wasted a couple of hours today and put an annoying kink in our route before we realised what was going on. We can travel due south easily enough, and have been doing so this afternoon on the E 154 meridian, but there are a couple of complicated waypoints at the South Pole station itself that we're supposed to hit, in order to avoid runways and scientific work that's being carried out.
As a result, it's been a frustrating day, though the weather and surface improved as time went on, so things are looking up for Christmas Day. We won't be celebrating in our little tent a great deal, I'm afraid. I have one card to open from a very special somebody, and I've brought Tarka a tiny present (don't let on, but it's some teabags and milk powder; we haven't had a cuppa for two months now). I've no idea if he's brought anything for me, but if he has I hope it's edible!
The photo is of me (looking pretty knackered) with the card that Intel sent us via satellite. Other than that, it'll be business as usual for us, and another nine hours of travel. Wherever you are, another huge thank you for following our journey as it unfolds, and I hope your Christmas Days involve a little less rationed food, a lot less distance from your loved ones, and a little more rest than ours will...
Happy Christmas
Comments
# Ty McClelland, December 25th 2013
Merry Christmas guys!!
Rain here in Okinawa Japan for Christmas, and a chilly 65F…
Can’t wait for more updates, sorry you had navigation frustration. Good job on the team work, you guys are awesome!!
# Bård Haug, December 25th 2013
Merry Christmas to both of you from Tonsberg (the oldest town in Norway). Rain and wind here today. On the TV news they show pictures from the stormy conditions on Hardangervidda plateau, recommending people not to go out…
Thanks for your very good blogs. Following your expedition is an inspiration!
# Woody, December 25th 2013
Merry Christmas!
Go South, then North!
# Dave, December 25th 2013
Merry Christmas to Ben and Tarka from Michigan. You must be almost giddy with joy about arriving at the pole tomorrow. Thank you for the great story we get to read every day. Dance a jig at the pole. You earned it. Stay safe.
Love God. Love life.
Dave.
# Jason H, December 25th 2013
Merry Christmas :)
# andrew, December 25th 2013
Well done you two, to get the pole in your sights by Christmas is a great achievement. Get that waypoint under your belt, have a Happy Christmas and head North. You know the way, you know you can do it, and we are right with you! Take care ,With love from Andrew, Gill, Nico and Robs.
# Leigh Phillips , December 25th 2013
Merry Christmas to you both!
# Andrea, December 25th 2013
Merry Christmas Ben and Tarka! Your target is so near I almost feel it reading your blog.
Hope for a speed and safe return as well.
Cheers from a little spot in Italy under a snowstorm :)
# Bob Miller, December 25th 2013
A fantastic journey with fantastic reporting - thank you for bringing your story to life!
No point in saying have a peaceful and relaxing Christmas but at least I can wish you a productive one :)
Keep up the good work and return home safe and sound - and Happy Christmas!
Bob, Carol, Libbi Rae, & Toby
# Eamon Mason, December 25th 2013
Merry Christmas guys. I’m impressed by your preparation, determination, ambition and awareness. You are both an inspiration.
# Alessandro, December 25th 2013
Happy christmas from italy!!!!
# Intrepid, December 25th 2013
Dear Ben and Tarka,
May your hearts glow with the spirit of the day. May you feel the beauty of all the hearts you touch. May what waits to be unwrapped be a wonderful surprise.
Sorry to hear about the zig zags. There is a bit of humor in it, in a kind of animated, South Park kind of way… but when you have limited rations, when each step forward takes so much effort, it is totally understandable that you may have gotten frustrated or impatient. I hope the techno-gear is back in gear and you have a route to the Pole that works well.
And in regards to zig zags and dancing… came across this today and thought it might amuse you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1izm_kP1WI
Happy Happy Merry Merry Christmas Day!!!!