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Dispatches: Easter Sunday - Sunday, 11th April 2004

Day's Statistics

Expedition & Environmental Statistics:
Position:85.00.3N 94.32.8E (view route map)
Daily distance:15.2 nm
Total distance:191.9 nm
Distance to go:715.5 nm
Travelling time:9hrs
Temperature:-21°C
Conditions:clear with moderate south-easterly; rubble overlaying pans
view large image
view large image

Apologies for the missing update yesterday - a technical hitch somewhere along the line (a server in Sweden, would you believe?) meant I was unable to send it.

Today was great (as was yesterday) with mostly good ice and fine weather. The photo was taken from my tent yesterday evening (the thing on the pole is one of the bear tripflares) - the ice doesn't get much better. Oddly, today was slightly worse, with a few areas of dense rubble and I had to push really hard to reach 85 degrees. I'm over the moon with the last two days' mileages - let's see how long I can keep it up!!

On my 2001 expedition with Pen Hadow, I woke up on Easter Sunday to find Pen had left an easter egg and a tiny plastic daffodil by my sleeping bag. It was one of the most profoundly touching gestures I'd ever received and I was gutted I had nothing to give in return (other than sawing the frozen egg in half with my penknife). So today is dedicated to Pen, Mary, Wilf and Freya. Thanks Pen.

Yesterday was dedicated to Simon Howell. You'd love it up here at the moment, Si - I hope it won't be too long before you're back on the Arctic Ocean...

Finally, to everyone reading this and particularly to the many, many people that have left messages of support, HAPPY EASTER!

Visitor Comments

# 85 North

Ben,
CONGRATULATIONS on reaching 85 north. Heard from Kate that you had an early bath. Hope you are OK. Must have been quite a shock. All the best and belated happy easter from me and the crew. Take care out there!
Roger

By Roger on Tuesday, 13 April - 10:15 am -0700

# Waiting

We held up Easter Dinner for you, sad you couldn't be here.

By Tommy Baby, Michigan on Monday, 12 April - 03:34 pm -0700

# Happy Easter, Ben!!!

And happy 85th to you as well! Congrats on your reaching the 85th! Looks like you've had some great conditions over the last couple of days and I hope it's "all downhill from here" as they say until you reach 90! I'm happy that the ice is finally behaving. Hope your Monday is fantastic and I wish you excellent nmileage today! Onward to 86!! -- Nikki

By Nikki on Monday, 12 April - 01:45 pm -0700

# Chocolate

happy Easter.

By simon on Monday, 12 April - 12:10 pm -0700

# Happy Easter Ben !!

Wow Ben it must be even harder on your own out there on days like this. Just remember that there are many people around the world thinking of you and wishing you well!
I have read your updates everyday since day one of your expedition and I have to say it has become part of my routine and working day. When I have a bad 5 minutes or I am feeling under pressure I read your latest update and things don't ever seem quite as bad after that.
Keep up the good work!

Sam Newell

By Sam Newell on Monday, 12 April - 11:52 am -0700

# Thinking of you

Ben, I went to see the movie "Touching the Void" today and I was thinking of you. I thought of you from yesterday and said a little prayer. So glad you had a couple of good days. You are amazing and are really keeping me interested in your expedition. Must be such an awesome experience. Take care dearie. Bonnie (Canada)

By Bonnie on Monday, 12 April - 06:59 am -0700

# May the drift be with you...

Just wanted to congratulate you on reaching 85 and to wish you a happy Easter. May you have lots of solid, old, smooth ice and little snow.

By Maria, KG4JBJ on Monday, 12 April - 05:44 am -0700

# Happy Holidays and keep it up

Your journey is amazing
Keep it up.

Cheers

By Roland Ochoa on Monday, 12 April - 02:23 am -0700

# Happy Easter , Ben

Don't feel bad, the Easter Bunny didn't stop at our house either!

Relieved to hear that all is well - I hope you have good weather tomorrow too!

I'm curious, as everything up there is a shade of white, what colors do you miss seeing?

Take care and God Bless!

Debi

By Debi on Sunday, 11 April - 11:12 pm -0700

# Thinking of you.

I will be doing so even more than normal tomorrow.

I have to go into Birmingham..........

What a welcoming place the Arctic seems!

But flares? So 1975......

Ken. (Superflid)

By Ken Powell on Sunday, 11 April - 10:57 pm -0700

# Up Date

After talking to my family about this, next Saturday we are going to have an "Eat What Ben Eats Day." YUP, we're gonna eat freeze dried camping food for the whole day. They loved the idea. Any suggestions on menu items?

Yes, to answer everyones' question. We're nuttier than a Christmas Fruitcake, but d@%# do we have fun.

Gut it out, with a full belly,

DB

For your amusment:

I posted this on the internet at my favorite "For Sale" website. Hope it makes you laugh for a while.

Baby Crib for sale cheap. - $10

Reply to: anon-28542261@craigslist.org
Date: 2004-04-11, 3:57PM EDT


One blue and white, "3 in 1" brand Baby Playpen. Used only a few times. Great for keeping baby in. Terrible for keeping other things out.

also

One 5 1/2 foot long Ball Bython. Likes to climb things, like playpens. Has gained about 10-12 lbs of weight in last few days. Loves children. Maybe too much.

Suddenly have no use for either.

By Paul Christian on Sunday, 11 April - 10:41 pm -0700

# Our Easter

We dedicated our Easter prayers and dinner to you Ben. Instead of normal banter we decided to have a family discussion about you and your adventure. I have four brothers and one sister. Everyone was here for dinner. [ages: 35 (me), 32, 20, 19, 18 (sister), and 14,... plus Mom and Dad]

I found out from my 14 year old that Polar Bears most certainly do not eat penguins. Why? As you already know, Polar Bears are indigenous to the Arctic; Penguins to the Antarctic. I had to look that up to make sure. BAH!!!! Know it all Brats. LOL

We talked about a lot of things. Cold, ice, saltwater/freshwater, snow, skis, tents, calorie needs. It was a really great. A lot better than the usual eat and run of a modern family. We decided to make this at least a once a week event. We ended with a second prayer especially for you Ben.

So without knowing it, you made my family closer.

Thanks Ben.

Gut it out, with my angel and our prayers,

DB
lysdexic@cox.(nospam)net

By Paul Christian on Sunday, 11 April - 10:13 pm -0700

# Happy Easter, Ben

So glad to see a new dispatch on your site, Ben! I wasn't worried, because Tony told us not to be, but I was being totally selfish, thinking how much I would miss keeping tabs on you and reading your wonderful daily log. It's great to know you're feeling so encouraged, and rightly so! You're doing SO well! I hope all the good conditions you're experiencing continue to get even better as you get closer to the pole. Wow, what an exciting thought!

We're all right there in spirit with you, Ben. Stay safe and press on tomorrow!

By Gwen on Sunday, 11 April - 08:46 pm -0700

# No easter bunny for Ben?

Happy Easter , Ben.
I missed your update and was..well ..not worried but concerned. I wish Fed-Ex could deliver an egg to you, but you are in one of those few areas where the comforts we take for granted are few and far between. Keep up the great skiing, steer clear of seals and come and visit us here in Canada.
God Bless
and again, Happy Easter from Winnipeg

By Stephen on Sunday, 11 April - 08:28 pm -0700

# Blessings Brave One

I rejoice with you on this Easter day! My heart was so apprehensive when there was no update yesterday. I follow your progress and say prayers for you daily since Kin Komando gave us your web site. Warm greetings and Blessings from the Austin, Texas area! Melba

By Melba on Sunday, 11 April - 08:15 pm -0700

# Hoppy Easter!

Go, Ben! Happy Easter! We're back here in the states "egging" you on! Your way with words is amazing. From describing your sledge as a "daft" labrador to your description of the Easter egg outside your tent in 2001, etc. How in so few words you put such a huge impression across. Thanks for your thoughts. Your determination has brought a sense of calm to my otherwise crazy life. My prayers are with you!

By Veeva Penney on Sunday, 11 April - 08:14 pm -0700

# You're back!

Glad to see you're back -- I was worried about you when there was no update yesterday. I prayed for you. Happy Easter!

By cateye =^@@^= on Sunday, 11 April - 08:06 pm -0700

# Happy Easter - Ben's Back!

Hi, Ben
Right on! Stellar excellent, to hear from you, checked the site at least 3 times, yesterday. Fantastic progress, nearly knocking off the 700 zone, a day or two more. My best to you and yours on this Easter Sunday.
Warmest Regards,
-Scot

By Scot Morrison on Sunday, 11 April - 07:57 pm -0700

# Rejoice in this day!

BEN! Alright!
Good to know you are back in touch with civilization.

We trust in your wisdom and in your experience, but it is as though we are skiing beside you when we can see the updates. It is wonderful of you to share with us--Thank you again to SERCO and BEN!

We rejoice in this day for many reasons and you are one of them Ben. . . keep up the good work!

HAPPY EASTER!
Cissy,
Texas

By Cissy on Sunday, 11 April - 06:20 pm -0700

# forget those Eggs...

just keep eating those nautical miles....at this rate you will be done in record time

By Jessie on Sunday, 11 April - 05:51 pm -0700

# Happy Easter

Hi

Happy Easter Ben. You gave us all a bit of a fright falling through the ice but surprisingly Tony said it was a good thing, something about not bathing and you needing a good cold shower, (I think that was something to do with you being away for so long). It is great that from adversity you pull out triumph. Well done on the mileage covered.

Perhaps the next seal sighting will make you turn tail and run quickly in the opposite direction. My children can't understand how you push on day after day. I tried to explain but then realised that I hadn't got an immediate answer, but then a flash of geniius came over me and I said "Now that he has started he can't stop until he gets to Canada as that is where he has sent his wallet and plane ticket home" They believed me for now.

Happy Easter Ben

Regards

Marc
PS Happy Easter to Tony and the rest of the team.

By Marc @ Serco on Sunday, 11 April - 05:34 pm -0700

# Happy Easter at the Top of the World

I'm still watching your daily progress and marvel at it. Still waiting to see if one of those subs pop up throught the ice near you.
How about a little info on how that boot is holding up and also your supplies.
Keep on trucking were all behind you.
Bill

By Bill Caddoo on Sunday, 11 April - 05:20 pm -0700

# short and sweet

HAPPY EASTER BEN :-)

By Mrs Fish on Sunday, 11 April - 05:18 pm -0700

# missed ya yesterday!!!!!

it's great to see everything is cool (i mean ok) ............i should stay away from words like COOL/COLD ect... Have a GREAT (warm) Easter ..Ben
steve / tristen lippert

By steve lippert on Sunday, 11 April - 05:06 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.

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

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday - Sunday, 11th April 2004

Apologies for the missing update yesterday - a technical hitch somewhere along the line (a server in Sweden, would you believe?) meant I was unable to send it. Today was great (as was yesterday) with mostly good ice and fine weather. The photo ...

These things are sent to try us

These things are sent to try us - Monday, 12th April 2004

I can vaguely remember a cartoon poster on my bedroom wall when I was very young - a picture of a child holding an empty cone and a dog licking at a big dollop of ice cream on the ground. That was the caption - 'these things are sent to try ...read more

Polar safari

Polar safari - Tuesday, 13th April 2004

It was really warm today. According to Tony, who receives the temp. along with my position from a small satellite beacon in my sledge, it was -14 degrees C. It felt even warmer - the sun was blazing and there wasn't a breath of wind. It probably ...read more

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“Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.” - Steven Wright