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.
Three out of Four (Day 90)
Day 90: S82° 40' 15.13", E169° 50' 23.28"
Duration: 9 Hr 30 Min
Daily distance: 25.9 Mi
Distance to go: 369 Mi
Temperature: -8 °C
Wind chill: -12 °C
Altitude: 190 Ft
Today ticked three of Tarka's four boxes for a perfect day - good surface, good terrain, good weather, good wind- - other than an annoying headwind, it was a grand day and we managed to bash out near enough 26 miles (42km), or a full marathon, which we're both happy about. We're keen to get home after a quarter of a year out here, and our target is to average 25 miles (40km) per day on the Ice Shelf back to Ross Island, so we're on track so far.
We'll pick up another depot tomorrow and we're hoping for more of the same weather and surface-wise. Both Tarka and I are incredibly fatigued and today was a new one for me; I didn't sleep well last night and I spent all of our nine-and-a-half hours on the move battling not to fall asleep on my feet, especially when it was Tarka's turn to lead. My eyes rolled back involuntarily every few minutes and their lids seemed so heavy that I'd occasionally relent and see how long I could ski with them closed before I lost my balance.
We're aiming for an early night tonight, and my blood sugar levels don't seem to be conducive to writing a blockbuster post tonight, alas, though we did see something today that I didn't expect to spot down here at all, and something I last saw in October: the moon. Tarka took a snap of me setting off towards it this afternoon and its presence seemed half-surreal and half-reassuringly familiar in what has been a pretty alien world for three months, a hint that soon we'll be back in the lands of day and night and glorious darkness to sleep in. I can't wait.
Comments
# Intrepid, January 23rd 2014
From Day 70, Resupply, “The joy of being outdoors and alive in the wild, pushing ourselves harder than anyone will ever understand….”
For all the reasons you created the expedition, for all the experiences you are finding on your journey, you two are two heck of extremely durable men!
Godspeed! Safely!
And to all those whose lives are (past, present, future) devoted to the same kind of extreme spirit,
Bless you.
# Phil Satoor, January 23rd 2014
When you said “we saw something today that I didn’t expect to spot down here at all”, I wondered what was coming. Some horse droppings from one of Captain Scott’s ponies perhaps, or some dog droppings from one of Meare’s dogs, or even the ghost of Captain Scott himself saying “26 miles!, we only got about 6 hereabouts. Splendid!”.
Not many days left on this expedition. Enjoy.
# Brendan Smith, January 23rd 2014
Wow, down to less that 400 miles! That picture is great! Stay well guys.
# ezi, January 23rd 2014
totally awesome!
greeting from Jakarta :)
# Willie Hannah, January 23rd 2014
HOOFING Mileage Ben and Tarka, what a fantastic achievement. On the ice shelf I echo the previous comments, the hard parts are done please don’t jeopardise your potential success, for the sake of speed. Get the mileage under you belt, if it is safe to do so, but not an any cost. Hey, the Waterboys are with you, as “I saw the whole of the moon”. Be safe, be strong, no risks now, Willie
# John, January 23rd 2014
26 miles? That is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Today I did some math and reading based on your blog post. I had alot [!!!!!!]of fun on that. Haven’t got TOO much to go ,so stay strong. John, 8 years old.
# Suri, January 23rd 2014
B & T,
My little math: 369/25=14.76
15 more days to go, you guys are almost there.
God Speed!!!
# jan, January 23rd 2014
Wow and wow, you never cease to amaze, frighten and leave me totally awestruck at your ongoing journey. How many men and women will ever have the experiences that you have undergone and mastered. So looking forward to you reaching your final destination, but will so miss reading your daily blog.. We are so lucky you have the power in your words and descripions to draw us so fully into your story. Good luck, you both know your own capabilities.. Stay safe.
# Andrea, January 23rd 2014
As this expedition will like to see that it did can finished the entire surface of the South Pole acces, even if this particular to can is of a new consistence of to can, it also will remember that the days that preceded and succeeded the marathons were not of the usual kind ones.
# Tara Carlisle, January 23rd 2014
Often don’t leave a comment because my eloquence isn’t up to par but never miss a blog and think about you guys daily. Can’t wait for you to be home but also will really notice the void that will be left when your journey is complete. Admiration, respect and awe to my heroes. Chase the moon - I love that! Look after each other.
Tara
# Damian Harris , January 23rd 2014
It’s hard to believe that 90 days have gone by already, at least for all of us following your journey from the comfort of our warm homes.
For you guys it must seem like forever since you set out.
However as each day passes it is one day closer to that little list of luxuries that you have been promising yourselves whilst on this journey.
May the last 369 miles be trouble free and easy on you.
# Sarah, January 23rd 2014
Hi Tarka
It’s Sarah from Evmax here. Dom put me on to your epic adventure and I’m currently trying to catch up. Massive congratulations to you both for all you have achieved so far. Love the days when it all comes together and fully appreciate the battle against headwind!
Awesome effort,
Sarah x