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.
The Cloudmaker, Kyffin and the Crampons (Day 85)
Day 85: S84° 19' 9.84", E169° 43' 40.08"
Duration: 7 Hr 45 Min
Daily distance: 18.8 Mi
Distance to go: 484.5 Mi
Temperature: -4 °C
Wind chill: -12 °C
Altitude: 3061 Ft
We're back among old friends today (well, familiar landmarks at least) and we're camped this evening under the giant flanks of the mountain Sir Ernest Shackleton named The Cloudmaker* with a clear view north down the Beardmore glacier towards the unmistakable - and I think quite beautiful - Mount Kyffin, a jagged, ridged peak that lies almost opposite our exit on to the Ross Ice Shelf. Conditions, as ever, have been tough today, and we started moving this morning in low cloud, wet snow and near-zero visibility, which made things quite stressful.
The weather improved as the day went on, which was handy as we had to navigate a tricky blue ice descent before we started to draw level with The Cloudmaker. Tarka's crampon repair held up admirably until the last session of the day, when the Dyneema tape he'd used to bind it together finally wore through, so we stopped ninety minutes early this evening to repeat the same repair but using steel wire this time. Worryingly his other crampon has cracked, though mine are still intact and looking good, which is remarkable given my tendency to wreck equipment.
Physically we're both feeling very battered; the repeated jarring and impact on our joints as we descend this 110-mile glacier, much of it on a steel-hard blue ice surface, means we both have sore feet, sore knees, sore hips and sore elbows. And as our joints have now covered 2,125km or 1,320 miles out here, they were probably pretty creaky before we started going downhill. Sodium diclofenac (Voltarol) has become our drug of choice during the day, and we've started raiding our supply of Tramadol at night, partly as Tarka's thumbs are so painful now it's warmer that I think he struggles to get to sleep.
We're both hungry most of the time we're awake, we've once again taken to licking empty energy bar wrappers and sucking the white fat out of the plastic our slices of salami are vacuum-packed in. Keeping a clear train of thought for more than a few moments during the day is becoming harder, and the vivid food fantasies we had before we were resupplied are kicking in once more with a vengeance. We often discuss our imaginary feasts at break times. One of Tarka's today was sushi ("Cheap sushi, on a conveyor belt") and mine was roast pork with crackling, apple sauce and really good roast potatoes.
Now the finish line is theoretically well under three weeks away, we're both also getting wildly excited about sitting down in a chair at a table, eating with a knife and fork, drinking out of a glass or a china mug, having a shower and, of course, enjoying the luxury of a sit-down loo. We haven't done any of these things for nearly three months.
*At least I think it was Shackleton that named it. I could well be utterly confused, especially as my mind seems unable to do much except hold a Homer Simpson-style focus on thick, crispy pork crackling...
Comments
# Frederike, January 18th 2014
Dear Ben and Tarka,
I heard the talks on Ted, watched your videos etc. and just wanted to say I think you are very good-looking. I reckon these words will make you feel much better after reading all the other comments (although I am not suggesting you ignore those).
Hang in there!
Frederike
# Chris Wood, January 18th 2014
On the way up, on day 41 you camped at the base of the cloudmaker.The day before, on day 40, you switched from the skis as you encountered steeper, slippery blue ice with the most challenging, rough part of the glacier. Keep your heads today, tread very carefully, you’re close to that same tricky section now. Just when you need the clearest mind and the most energy! This isn’t the time to do half rations, or space out! Stay safe lads, keep the focus, look after each other. Eat some more if you can, don’t rush this bit.
On the edge of my seat, sending every ounce of good fortune I can muster in your direction
# Sheila England , January 18th 2014
When do you reach your next food depot? I’m sure I should know this, but I haven’t read all of the journal entries. Stay safe, and try to think ‘warm’.
-Sheila
# Marina K, January 18th 2014
Andy/Ben? One question: Being a bit dippy but can’t figure out when, in relation to our day in the UK, you are actually on the move…What time do you start & finish your day UK time?
# Andy, January 18th 2014
Hi Marina,
Ben and Tarka are working on GMT and on a normal day will start skiing sometime between 7-8am and finish between 8-9pm.
Andy
# Marina K, January 18th 2014
Thanks Andy! All clear. Can see they are still on the move now!
# COLIN BUCKLEY, January 18th 2014
Ben, Tarka. if you read what Richard Pierce wrote, I fully agree. There’s gonna be a lot of people who wanna shake your hands guys. You gotta get back. Everything you need to arrive to those last few yards, do it,take it. Adapt to the daily needs, overcome your tiredness. Be strong in the last few km’s of this Mega marathon. The mind now needs to govern the body. Get that strength.
Get the power, put those reserves into action. I’m one the many who wish I could be there when you arrive back to base. WOW!!!! Stay safe guys, one day closer, one day less. Keep going.
Cheers Colin
# Veronika , January 19th 2014
Both, with all my heart I wish you the best through these most challenging of times. Take comfort in the knowledge that a huge amount of people are routing for you. I love reading your blogs, such an inspiration to so many. Hang in there, best wishes, Veronika (UK).
# Waldo, January 19th 2014
I’m sitting here whining about procrastating about grinding down the rust in my old BMW because it is 45-degrees F outside while reading your daily report. Fine… I’ll take off the metaphorical skirt and be a man.
Hard to believe that the countdown to completion is upon us and I, for one, will miss living vicariously through the both of you when you have succeeded.
But sushi boat does sound good right now… Old rusty can wait another day.
# Rosie Vidovix Unsworth, January 19th 2014
I have every confidence in Ben’s leadership and Ben and Tarka’s experience.
Everyone knew this was going to be a tough gig and we must not panic because Ben is sharing some of the reality of their challenge and journey with us.
We have to trust Ben, Tarka and also Andy and the support team that they are doing the right thing.
# Hilary, January 19th 2014
Well said Rosie!
# Wayne, January 19th 2014
+1
# amir azemi, January 19th 2014
Keep it up guys, you are doing quite well! I liked one line espeacially today: cheap sushi in coveyor belt! It reminded me of a place it was written"all you can eat 9,99 €“on top of entrance it was all about where you were sitting! Or the other guy would get the good stuff :D
Greetings from Kosovo
# Sebastian, January 19th 2014
To begin with: bravo! Amazing performance under always very challenging conditions. I have been catching up to your progress and want to share a hearty, brotherly congratulations. The end is near. A plate of bangers and mash will never taste so good, and the shower so sweet, and there are within your sights!
In response to your comment about ALE not supporting soloing up crevasse fields in Antarctica, it is only fair to recognize that this has been accomplished by other intrepid explorers before. Borge Ousland, Rune Gjeldnes, or even our very own Felicity Aston come to mind (or Geoff Wilson who is presently completing his solo crossing from the East coast). They also faced the terrifying journey across thin ice bridges, solo, occasionally even partially breaking through them. Like you, they experienced the vulnerability, doubt and pain that Antarctica extorts out of all who have ventured into its brutal and majestic realm. Humility is their common bond.
Additionally, in describing man-hauling versus kiting you likened one to rowing versus sailing as a way to qualify the effort. This may need further qualifying as it could be misleading. To begin with, both Nansen and Scott harnessed wind as best they could, and had kites been invented in their day, there is no question these would have dominated polar exploration in Antarctica and Greenland from the onset. Further, a kite skiing mission has generally a different objective: faster and further travel. The effort, however, is commensurate with the objectives and the physical toll is also exacting (think of 4,000-6,000 k of travel versus 2,500 in the same time period). Besides, ascending a glacier, whether on a kite mission or not, is still done man-hauling with the same amount of weight given wind direction and the dangers of crevasse. Finally, since you addressed that in your post, the longest distance kite-skied was actually 595 k in one 24 hour period.
This should definitely not be interpreted as diminishing to the herculean effort that you and Tarka are presently undertaking. Let’s face it: man-hauling sucks! But it should frame polar travel in its historical context and acknowledge the precedence of all those who like you have suffered on the white desert.
Keep your head down—a stiff upper lip—and the best of strength until the finish line.
Regards to to Tarka.
# Heidi, January 19th 2014
Dear Ben and Tarka, I pray your minds stay lucid and you make good, safe decisions. Your safe arrival back to civilization by whatever means is what we’re all waiting for. If I were in charge, there would be another photo of that glorious red airplane in an imminent blog post. Sending you warm hugs from Southern California.
# kev, January 20th 2014
:-) “Kyffin and the Crampons ” ,,,, what a superb name for a pop group ! ,,, hmmm? You guys forming a boy band when you get back ? :-)
take care fellas.