Visitor Comments

---

# Hey Ben

Hi,
So, how is it down there? Its funny that you've been there since February or March seeing snow every day, and me I never seen snow in my life. We are learning about you in our yearbook class and weve made a nick name for you, its "Beny." In my opinion, I think you are crazy for doing this, but atleast you doing something thats important to you. Your a true example, you show that anything is possible and that if you put your mind to it can be accomplished. Well i'll let you go.
Bye
Sarah Harris

By Sarah Harris on Thursday, 22 April - 07:53 pm -0700

---

# Hey Mr.Artic !!

I think it is really admirable that you are going to the arctic for as long as your are. I bet it is really cold there. Colder than here anyway! I live in Texas, and it is about 74 degrees F. My favorite message that you have left is the one about not wanting to come home and have to worry about what clothes to wear. I think the world would be a better place if everyone wouldn't worry about "keeping up with the Jones". Whrn you said you only have 1 set of clothes, does that mean you only have 1 pair of underwear, too? Do you get cold in the middle of the night, and is the dry/wet suit comfortable? I hope you keep having "fun" and you don't have anymore boot troubles! Good luck with your long trek, and may God bless you!!
Love Always, Tiffany

By Tiffany S. on Thursday, 22 April - 07:47 pm -0700

---

# Happy Easter!

Hopefully you're still above the black water or any water for that matter. I'm here and staring without patience at the clock, wondering why oh why there's no news from yuo today. I hope everything is fine and you had good snow and ice today. Keep it up and i don't know if you have any eggs with you (doubt that) but it might make you happier to know we broke some in your name last night. Happy Easter Ben!

Rhea

By Rhea on Sunday, 11 April - 04:43 pm -0700

---

# snowballs

Been on your tail from London, San F'risco, San Diego, and now Cabo Mexico with Ginny Michaux. Clinging onto every footstep. Relieved you're keeping your head above water. The view might be different from here but given the circumstances your continuing courage and fortitude makes both gripping and inspiring account. I'm personally pissed off becuase it's so much more amusing than my own web site.

I too hav e been undertaking important solo expeditions to the likes of Tesco, and more recently here in S Mexico where the sand gives way under your feet to blue sea and the bars open up without any warning at all. All very unnerving.

Suffice to say we are thinking, talkng, gossiping and keeping you in our minds and hearts more than you have time to think of.

REmemberalways, through your actions, your shadow touches and leaves an impact over countless people's lives,

Love Rosie

By rosie stancer on Sunday, 11 April - 06:37 am -0700

---

# Good one.

Hi Ben, hope things are working to your advantage today... It's late here and I just got home but even though I was out having fun I couldn't help but think of my "friend" trying his best to outwit the north. Thanks for sticking it out this long, you're gonna make it!!

By George Fudge on Sunday, 11 April - 06:17 am -0700

---

# Happy Easter

I don't know your religious denomination, but I would dare say that you've never been baptized in quite that way before. I've been checking in daily since about your third day and I just want you to know that this 52 year old who shares a name with you keeps you in his prayers. Happy Easter Ben - you are an inspiration to more people than you'll ever know.

By Ben on Sunday, 11 April - 06:16 am -0700

---

# this is so cool!

hi, im a 14yr old freshman from nyc city and i think it's amazing of what you're doing. keep up the good work and i wish you luck in the future

By Anna on Sunday, 11 April - 12:35 am -0700

---

# Thank you...

I'm glad to hear that everything's ok...I've been a bit crazy over here in the States...waiting patiently...if that's possible!

By Nikki on Saturday, 10 April - 09:00 pm -0700

---

# Life is amazing and so are you!

We all look forward to more chats!

Helen Keller:
"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."
Cissy,
Texas

By Cissy on Saturday, 10 April - 08:30 pm -0700

---

# Wow!!

My friend just told me about your site - I tune into your refreshing bath. Reminds me of the time I fell into the pool at the Diplomat in Miami Beach, eh?

I guess that the "going backwards" thing is that you are on ice islands that go in the direction you just came from? Do you get tail winds that sail you forward at all?

God bless - excitement and prayers!

Dennis

By dennis on Saturday, 10 April - 08:20 pm -0700

---

# Thanks Tony...

Beginning to wonder!

By Silus Grok on Saturday, 10 April - 05:59 pm -0700

---

# Thanks Tony!

I was beginning to wonder a little. Happy to hear it's only server problems. Appreciate your post a lot! You're a good flunky :)

By Gwen on Saturday, 10 April - 05:37 pm -0700

---

# Ben's update is delayed

For anoyone who is worried that Ben's update is later than usual, Ben is absolutely fine but having a couple of teething problems with his server. The update wil be up as soon as possible.

Tony (Ben's trusty flunky)

By Expedition Team on Saturday, 10 April - 05:26 pm -0700

---

# Eek

Chill Ben, Not literally o.k........

good job you kept a clear head,take it easy and start again tomorrow.
Please don't scasre us all like that again..

Be safe !!!!!

By jessie on Saturday, 10 April - 04:20 pm -0700

---

# Angels must have been watching over you...

...and you did not panic. Good job! Glad you are going to rest.

By Karen Tynes on Saturday, 10 April - 03:11 pm -0700

---

# Amazing

Its amazing that you could do this, but i'm all for it. Even though you still have a way to go I think you can still make it.

Keep it up your doing great!!!

By Matt Sarlouis on Saturday, 10 April - 02:45 pm -0700

---

# We're with you and you with us!

I've been following your expedition daily with anticipation and great admiration. Last week, I got into a bit of trouble and almost drowned. An experienced swimmer, I let myself get into a bad situation. At the moment that my muscles were totally fatigued and my body tense and sinking my face was the only thing at the surface. I was completly exhausted and gasping air and water and starting to choke... the rest of the details are unimportant (as I'm not presently a statistic). At that critical moment, as I was looking at the blue sky above, a calmness came over me and I realized that the Atlantic Ocean wasn't going to claim me this time... I won and so will you. I can read in your daily entries that you're letting the possibility of failure creep into your thoughts - look to the sky, find the calm, and crank the music and Rock On - we're with you!

By Ron on Saturday, 10 April - 01:12 pm -0700

---

# Resurrection

Every day I read responses from folks around the world who are praying for you Ben. So how exactly did you get out of the water? There’s no doubt in my mind. -s

By Scott on Saturday, 10 April - 06:24 am -0700

---

# Calm & Collect

Hi, Ben
First and foremost, I am grateful you are safe, and warm.
Best,
-Scot

By Scot Morrison on Saturday, 10 April - 12:57 am -0700

---

# OUR TRIP

I hope that you have some feeling of the importance your trip is to all of us who follow you everyday! There must be literally thousands who can't wait for your daily posts, so we can live our dreams vicariously through you. I have gone through ice too, so I know the beating you took today. But tomorrow will be much better. Soon you will have FANTASTIC ICE!!!!!!

By Tommy Baby, Michigan on Friday, 9 April - 11:59 pm -0700

---

# oH Fer jUst A pLaiN 'oL coOl dAy

So, Ben, your near miss with the depths of the ocean is probably one of the worst things that can happen, right?! Now you have proven you can overcome that. Your amazing courage and calmness should be a testament to us all about your ability to make it to the end. I figure then it should be smooth skiing from here on out! We're praying for your saftey, firmer ice and bodily warmth.

By Pam from Wisconsin on Friday, 9 April - 10:09 pm -0700

---

# The Long Good Friday

Mighty glad to hear you are ok Ben, that was a close one.
HAPPY EASTER btw, a little early but what the heck. I guess it has been a very long good friday for you (excellent film btw ;-) Get yourself warm and toasty and rested and hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

Take care and be safe, I want to buy you a beer at Pistonfest :-)

Lisa

By Mrs Fish on Friday, 9 April - 09:55 pm -0700

---

# Quick Thinking & A Calm Head!

Well Ben, we are all glad your such a smart cookie & knew what to do! I bet you were glad to get camp setup & get in that tent with the stoves. Please try & "watch your step" tomm. We don't want any "Ben~cicles", Okay! Dry your clothes well & Get some extra rest today...Because I have a feeling....Tommorow your gonna rackup the mileage! Keep making tracks! ...Tina..NH......PS NO Sleepwalking!

By tina..NH on Friday, 9 April - 09:05 pm -0700

---

# AARRGRRRGGGGGGHGHGHHHHH

See what happens when I'm not here? I don't post for a couple days and you flippin' fall through the ice. I told you, falling is my job.

Try to be safer please,... or I'm tellin' your Mum. You know she'll come drag your butt off the ice and ground you from playing in the snow.

Sorry I haven't posted, been fighting with government idiots over my powerchair. grrrrrrrrr I hate beauracrats who deny everything for no reason.

Anyway, I'm back. Now be careful. I'm hoping you come to Washington D.C. to speak so I can meet you. Can't speak ch ch ch ch chattt ttt tt t t ering your teeth.

Gut it out, safely,

DB

By Paul Christian on Friday, 9 April - 09:03 pm -0700

---

# Glad you're ok and keeping your 'cool' in tough situations

Wow! What a scare. You are really quite a guy, that slip into the frozen water would have been it for me man. Good luck and have a great Easter. Think about your girlfriend alor that should keep your fires burning and warm you on those cold nights. Again my best to you

By gary meli on Friday, 9 April - 07:23 pm -0700

---

# I am sending you my angel

Wow Ben, you took my breath away
I am sending my angel to add to your own
angel. Get plenty of rest and know we send
you good energy and strong thoughts
for nice, strong, pans. . .lots of them!
Cissy,
Texas
PS: I found the following by Leonardo DaVinci
O Lord, thou givest us everything,
at the price of an effort.

By Cissy on Friday, 9 April - 06:52 pm -0700

---

# Tell santa HI

I know it's Easter but my son brought up a good question this morning. He asked me, "once Ben gets to the North Pole, if he stops in to see Santa will that mean the trip won't be an official SOLO trip unaided?" I told him I'd ask you since I can't answer that one. What do you think?

Keep on truck'in
Rodney

p.s. When you do talk to Santa tell him Jerry says HI

By Rodney Anders on Friday, 9 April - 06:25 pm -0700

---

# Cold Bath

HI

I always thought a cold bath was invigorating, just never realised how much it can sharpen your senses. You can always look at the benefits. You have now got clean underwear (Bonus 1), You have clean clothes (bonus 2), You probably broke the land speed record getting to your tent (bonus 3), and just imagine the images you conjured up with all your fans sitting in your tent defrosting (Bonus 4). Oh yes and after a dismal week Arsenal finally won a match again (4-2), so at least they are still on for the league cup.

Seriously, more and more people are pulling for you at Serco, I think we will organise a sponsored Ice bath contest in support of your exploits today. I'll get TONY to lead the way for the first hour. What do you think?

Keep heading North.

Regards

Marc

By Marc @ Serco on Friday, 9 April - 06:23 pm -0700

---

# Whew...

What a terrifying event that must have been (after the fact). As usual, you kept your wits about you and safely emerged from the water. Although I'ml in front of my computer, following your every move, it's difficult to totally imagine your conditions. Today's dispatch made it all too real to me and brought tears of relief to my eyes.

Take it easy for the day, as Valerie suggested, and start out fresh tomorrow. I'm glad you're okay, Ben.

By Gwen on Friday, 9 April - 05:57 pm -0700

---

# Swimming again......

Tut, tut.
I told you about that before, you're supposed to be skiing!
BBC still strangely silent about knowledge of North Pole whereabouts. Will give them a reminder.
Ken. (Superflid)

By Ken Powell on Friday, 9 April - 05:48 pm -0700

---

# NO easter Bunny

I guess the Easter Bunny won't be visiting you this year, for he'd have to be crazy, ONLY Ben da man can make it through tough conditions as such. At work today NSF......Maybe our polar programs sponsored some research up there, I know we do research in Antarctica......Maybe we should try the North Pole, huh. Back at work today! very very busy..... 65degrees today.

Happy Good Friday and Happy Easter.
christy

By Christy on Friday, 9 April - 05:33 pm -0700

---

# GOOD LUCK

ITS BAD ENOUGH FALLING THROUGH THE ICE, BUT WHAT EVER YOU DO, DON'T EAT ANY YELLOW SNOW!! KEEP YOUR SPRITS UP AND I WILL BE TRACKING YOU DAILY.







1

By Dave on Friday, 9 April - 04:11 pm -0700

---

# God speed.

Greetings from the tops of the mountains.

It's surreal to be sitting here in Utah --- the trees all in bloom, and the snow receding up the sides of the mountains --- reading of your trek across the top of the world.

Surreal, but wonderful.

I've just happened across your site from a link over at Metafilter (http://www.metafilter.com/mefi/32272) and spent an hour last night reading through your dispatches.

The first thing that came to mind as I read was how quintessentially _human_ this all is: to explore, to test the untested, to reach into the void... it's truly inspiring.

I'll keep you (your family, and your sledge) in my prayers...

And here's to you: the Patron Saint of the Beyond the Horizon.

God speed!

- sG


PS... You've mentioned problems with your ski skins; what are they, and how are they coming along?

By Silus Grok on Friday, 9 April - 04:11 pm -0700

---

# They don't call it Good Friday for nothing...

...you obviously have a guide! ;-) Ben, I had no doubt you would figure your way out of that one! You have a knack for keeping a cool head (literally!) and thinking things thru. That's one of the things that keeps you incredibly successful. You never cease to amaze me...I have to admit I held my breath while reading this dispatch!! Listen to Valeria...get some good rest...I knew that ice would be getting better! You're doing great! -- Nikki

By Nikki on Friday, 9 April - 02:59 pm -0700

---

# Seal Deal

I guess the Seal wanted to take a swimm with you, and finding out you didn't liked it helped you out of the water : )

By Tete on Friday, 9 April - 02:40 pm -0700

---

# Frozen 'waist'

I doubt there will ever be a time you will be content to put on your slippers and tune into the nature channel... you got to live it.

Ben Saunders, went to the Arctic
Into the frozen waste.
He stepped in a puddle,
Right up to his middle,
He'll probably go there again..

Nursery rhyme - adapted

Take care up there Ben,

Johnny

By John Newman on Friday, 9 April - 02:24 pm -0700

---

# Always keep a cool head!

Ben, Good thinking on your part. I guess the last thing you need is to lose your cool in a situation like that. Good job in staying calm and getting yourself safely out of a nasty situation. Have a great Good Friday and hopefully Easter will bring you lots of long and wide pans! Keeing you in constant prayer. Be safe.

By Michelle - Va. Beach, VA. on Friday, 9 April - 01:57 pm -0700