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Dispatches: On the rivet - Wednesday, 7th April 2004

Day's Statistics

Expedition & Environmental Statistics:
Position:84.25.6N 95.23.3E (view route map)
Daily distance:6.9 nm
Total distance:157.2 nm
Distance to go:750.2 nm
Travelling time:9hrs
Temperature:-26°C
Conditions:clear to cloudy; lots of fresh leads, rubble; moderate northerly
view large image
view large image

At least I think that's the expression. I spent a few happy teenage years as a cyclist and secretly harboured ambitions of making it big as a pro - riding all the classics and big tours. I still do, deep down. Anyhow, traditional saddles used to have a rivet right at the front and when cyclists are going flat out, they tend to sit further forward. On the rivet.

I've been on the rivet for a few days now and I'm noticing a pattern - I start the day in a terrible mood, usually waking up wondering where I am. The first hour is the hardest - the sledge seemed to have doubled in weight this morning - then things start to improve. The last hour or two is usually the best (endorphins perhaps?) and tends to contain the most air guitar moments if I have the music on...

Another hard day - conditions are slowly improving but things are still pretty crazy. I crossed a HUGE lead this afternoon that had only recently frozen. I doubt the photo will do it justice.

Today's dedication is to everyone at Close Brothers Private Equity - thanks for your support!

A big hello to all the Serco employees worldwide reading this and thanks for all your messages. I look forward to meeting some of you later this year.

Visitor Comments

# U ROCK!!!

Hey Ben,

U R A DUDE!!!!!!!

Going out in the cold!!!!

Ed G

By Ed G on Thursday, 8 April - 03:52 pm -0700

# Rock on dude

Hey Ben,

Glad your weight saving exercise didn't result in you leaving the air guitar behind. I always carry mine around with me and if I hear a particulary good track there is nothing better than playing a few tunes on the ole air guitar.

By Brian Nielsen on Thursday, 8 April - 12:48 pm -0700

# Go For It

I think you have real guts. I hope your having fun. I wish I had enough courage to do what your doing.

By Samantha Brunett on Thursday, 8 April - 12:47 pm -0700

# :-)

I just want to say that that is crazy! I wish i had the guts to go do something like that. :-) And sharing it with us.

By Heather Dowdy on Thursday, 8 April - 12:43 pm -0700

# NICE PIC.

Ben, that is an amazing lead. Glad you crossed it AOK. Sorry I haven't written lately, just enduring 'life' stuff. I have been checking up on you and wish for you some energizing early morning starts. Cheers!

By George Fudge on Thursday, 8 April - 11:40 am -0700

# Alain & Dixie

I saw their arctic documentary (made in 2002) yesterday evening on the Belgian television. I can now imagine how difficult is your expedition. They have resigned after 45 days because their average speed was less than 1Km/h.
And the ice was not as flat as they expected. The wind was always coming from North. They were using their sledges as boats to cross lakes or oceans of thin ice.
Did you cross the way of polar bears?
Why are you going from Siberia to Canada and not from Canada to Siberia? Can you explain please?

By Alain on Thursday, 8 April - 11:37 am -0700

# Mucho Salutations

I'm on a "business trip" here in Denver. It's a lot warmer than Alaska was when I left. I enjoy keeping up with you Ben, and I continue to pray for you when I remember. stay alive and well.

Wow that's some lead.

By brian on Thursday, 8 April - 05:13 am -0700

# Pan - ramic

Hi, Ben
Another fantastic photograph from our fan-tabulous explorer in the Arctic! Sleep deprivation, and physical strain on a daily basis still, you are pulling on the boots, tearing down the tent, and skiing to the goal. What a scene, air guitar in the Arctic, righteously right on. Play on, dude.
Best,
-Scot

By Scot Morrison on Thursday, 8 April - 03:40 am -0700

# Wow!

I'm a longtime afficionado of polar books -- I've read everything I can get my hands on about Arctic and Antarctic exploration and travel -- but somehow I only found out about your expedition today. I am riveted -- and amazed by what you've set out to do.

Please know that another total stranger is rooting for you! Wow!

By Rachel on Thursday, 8 April - 02:21 am -0700

# my moment of cold

Each day, I have a my moment of chills as I read your daily dispatch. You have been an inspiration to follow, your doing a impossibly amazing job. I can't wait to hear of your adventures still waiting around the bend. Keep warm, keep focused and best wishes for the enduring days ahead!

By Pam from Wisconsin on Thursday, 8 April - 01:40 am -0700

# you're doing great

i'm in florida today on vacation from 2nd grade. it is really warm here but i'm still thinking about you in the cold. i look on your web site every day now. i'm very exited for you.

By shayna glassberg on Thursday, 8 April - 12:38 am -0700

# Greeting from Livonia, New York

Hi Ben,
Just wanted to let you know that all of my science classes are still following your progress and wish you the best. We participate in the Science Olympiad here. Perhaps your trek can inspire a new event....SLEDGE DESIGN. (We'll try to make one that feels light in the morning as you start out!) Keep on that rivet!
Your friends and supporters in Livonia, New York

By Bill Lewis (Livonia NY) on Wednesday, 7 April - 11:11 pm -0700

# Amazed

Hi Ben,
My hard drive crashed and "Mother Hen" was kind of frantic because I couldn't follow you daily. When I reconnected, I read all the back dispatches. I worry about how you can protect your foot from frostbite with your boot in that condition. Our IBL's can only do so much for your toes!

When I looked at the map I was amazed that you have traveled SO FAR under such adversity. You are extraordinary!!!!! You can do it, Ben! If anyone in the world can go the distance, YOU can!!!

We believe in you!!!!!
With warmest regards,
Nancy and Ryan

By Nancy Hannigan on Wednesday, 7 April - 11:07 pm -0700

# BBC

Still no word from the BBC weather dept regarding non-existance of the North Pole.
They might have sent a weather girl to check, keep your eyes peeled.........

Ken. (Superflid)

By Ken Powell on Wednesday, 7 April - 11:00 pm -0700

# Wow..

That's huge.. I can't begin to understand why there would be such a huge lead, when the temp is so cold. I never would have expected it.

Interesting that you wake up in the morning in a cranky mood. So do I! lol Obviously, not for the same reasons. As for writing that you wonder where you are, I imagine it's all too true in your case - you can't always know where your traveling tent put you during the night, especially if it's been windy.

You're making great progress, Ben. Keep a'goin and press on! We're all cheering for you.

By Gwen on Wednesday, 7 April - 07:39 pm -0700

# Really glad you did not get wet!

WOW! Do you suppose that lead is a sort of Global Warming or just Summer in your area?

The following is from Spaceweather.com and looks like it would be fun to see: AURORA WARNING: A coronal mass ejection (CME, movie) is heading for Earth. It was hurled into space on April 6th (1325 UT) by an M2-class explosion near sunspot 588. Sky watchers should be alert for auroras when it arrives, probably during the early hours of April 8th.

Earth is already skirting through a solar wind stream flowing from a coronal hole on the sun. Because of this, geomagnetic storms and auroras are possible, off and on, for the next few days. The best displays will be at high latitudes--e.g., Canada and Alaska. When the incoming CME arrives, auroras could descend to lower latitudes, too.

Keep on traveling Ben.
Cissy,
Texas

By Cissy on Wednesday, 7 April - 07:03 pm -0700

# You can do it!

Keep up the good work, Ben! Say hi to the pole from me =)

-Sami-

By Sami Lilja on Wednesday, 7 April - 06:46 pm -0700

# Entering Canada?

Ben:

Keep up the good work! Here is a question you might not have ever expected. I know you were a working like a mad man to cut down on the weight of your equipment before you left. Were you able to leave your passport behind or are you bringing it with you for when you get to Canada? I am pretty sure Canada Customs isn't going to be setting up a new checkpoint on Ward Hunt Island anytime soon, but you never know...They might be all concerned that you will be trying to sneak into Canada all those fruits and vegetables you would have hauled 1500 km across the ice !!
Keep going and remember Shackleton's family motto: Fortitudine Vincimus: By Endurance we Conquer.

Chris

By Chris Lynam on Wednesday, 7 April - 06:41 pm -0700

# Tour de Arctic

Hi Ben,

Maybe next year, you can combine your arctic skills and cycling ambitions and ride a bike from Russia To Canada over the pole? Like you don't have enough challanges with your current endeavor! Keep listening to the music and heading north. Great picture-

By Bob on Wednesday, 7 April - 06:29 pm -0700

# THAT'S A LEAD????

Holy cow, dude! I think the photo is doing it justice because it looks like a frozen lake!!!!!!! Am I interpreting that correctly? I hope Lance Armstrong gets wind of this dispatch...he'd get a good chuckle with your analogy! That IS exactly where you are, Ben...on the rivet...and sometimes that's what it takes to make it! I love seeing your blip position move on the map (dude, this is a FABULOUS website...have I said that before?) You'll have more challenging days at times, but know that each day brings more progress and a lighter sledge. You're doing fine...keep your spirits up and when you feel a bit challenged, why don't you try to smile and make a joke about yourself and give yourself a BIG, FAT laugh? Works EVERY TIME for me! All the best for peaceful rest, great weather and better ice tomorrow! With you always! -- Nikki

By Nikki on Wednesday, 7 April - 05:50 pm -0700

# Orbital

Glad to hear you're listening to some Orbital. Halcyon is probably one of my all-time favorite songs, and my jaw dropped when I heard you were listening to it. Fantastic! Hope it keeps you envigorated...

By Christopher in Chicago on Wednesday, 7 April - 05:00 pm -0700

# Snow Easter Egg?

Hello again. Will you make a snow easter egg? Good luck and happy easter.

By DORiS on Wednesday, 7 April - 04:55 pm -0700

# The photo is great.

You are getting there Ben, just keep your head up and if you need songs let me know.

By Christy on Wednesday, 7 April - 04:55 pm -0700

Dispatches Archive

The following dispatches are an archive spanning the 4-5 months that Ben spent prior to the expedition, the expedition itself, and the returning home period.

On thin ice

On thin ice - Monday, 5th April 2004

The Arctic ocean was a bit too much like an ocean for my liking today. The nice flat pans I was expecting never materialised and I had areas of rubble, more pressure ridges and dozens of leads to contend with. Luckily, the huge ones were all frozen ...read more

Up periscope!

Up periscope! - Tuesday, 6th April 2004

Apparently the submarine USS Honolulu is currently under the Arctic pack ice, 280 miles from the Pole, so I'm not quite as isolated as I thought... Today was another toughie and I was so exhausted this evening that I managed to let off one of my ...read more

On the rivet

On the rivet - Wednesday, 7th April 2004

At least I think that's the expression. I spent a few happy teenage years as a cyclist and secretly harboured ambitions of making it big as a pro - riding all the classics and big tours. I still do, deep down. Anyhow, traditional saddles used to ...

Bridge over troubling water

Bridge over troubling water - Thursday, 8th April 2004

Another day, another cheesy headline. I spent two hours this morning trying to cross a huge lead - about 100 metres wide. It was half frozen, with open water at the very centre and varying thicknesses of ice leading away from its sides. Swimming ...read more

That sinking feeling

That sinking feeling - Friday, 9th April 2004

I woke up to a beautiful sunny day, with only a slight headwind to complain about. After climbing over a bit of rubble, I spotted a massive pan - perfect conditions at last! It didn't last long - after 15 mins came the first lead, but the ice was ...read more

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“You've got to jump off cliffs all the time and build your wings on the way down.” - Ray Bradbury