Visitor Comments

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# St Georges Day

Happy St Georges Day, sorry its a little late, we're getting ready to take the Scout Group on Parade tomorrow we will snake our way through the streets of York and to the Minster, when we are on the way back - trying to march through the shoppers! - we'll think of you and your blocks of ice! Just as daft and imoveable. Take care and best wishes, hope to catch up when you're back in UK. Love Jane & the Yorkshire gang

By Jane Pike on Saturday, 24 April - 11:24 pm -0700

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# you can make it

cheer up ben!!
you know, you taught me the best lesson: unless I´m in the north pole, with no visibility, not so much food, and what´s worse, a terrible tan, I will never complain again.
Don´t get down, you´ve been training very hard, you are a strong man and you are going to make it, you´ll see
Rosa

By rosa on Saturday, 24 April - 05:06 pm -0700

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# PERSEVERE!

Hi, Ben. Been with you since Day One. Just had to finally send a message to you because of volume of negative flack. This I do with a quote from Albert Einstein: "Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds!" Where you are now is over very deep water. The deeper the water, the more violent the turbulence from conflicting currents. A few more days of roughing it and your smooth sailng begins. Perseverence is the key.

-Bushwillie

By Ron Ricker on Saturday, 24 April - 01:28 pm -0700

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# Not again!

Things running parallel for us seem to be a bit regular lately, reasons for it totally different.
Worked far too hard yesterday, could hardly get out of bed today! Taking a day off....
The rest will do you good while giving you a chance to do the jobs which get left while on the move. You'll be sprinting along when the weather clears.

Ken. (Superflid)

By Ken Powell on Saturday, 24 April - 08:41 am -0700

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# Good morning!

I just came back from an evening discussing polar expeditions...

By Nikki on Saturday, 24 April - 06:30 am -0700

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# you're going to do this, you know...

You know that, right?

By Nikki on Saturday, 24 April - 06:29 am -0700

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# Marc @ Serco...

TOUCHE!

By Nikki on Saturday, 24 April - 06:26 am -0700

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# Serco Team One!

Hi, Ben
Your are grade-A excellence! The nobility of your adventure is underscored by the support, nurturance, and loyalty of humanity fans spanning our vast planet. Consider, your dream as a pinnacle achievement, where we can make the impossible, possible, together. Your dispatches vividly paint a bold and daring adventure, of one human being supported by hundreds more, completing against all odds, their vision of self. Cease the moment, live a lifetime in a single day, and above all else, manifest your dream into personal truth.
Best,
-Scot

By Scot Morrison on Saturday, 24 April - 03:53 am -0700

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# Walking Through Life

All day we all walk around our work, or wheel our chairs, or drag our sleds with the single minded purpose of getting somewhere and back safely again. In our every message of hope and support we ski or limp together.

By Mike Keith on Saturday, 24 April - 01:45 am -0700

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# Snow bound

Hi Ben,

Although I am sure you would rather be out dragging your sledge northward, a day of rest after a restless night might be good for you. I have a whole new perspective on the arctic thanks to you, and my respect for what you are trying to accomplish grows more each day that I read about the conditions and problems that you encounter on a seemingly daily basis. You continue to persevere through it all. Your story is truly inspirational. I hope tomorrow presents ideal conditions, cooperative equipment, and big mileage. I can only imagine what well deserved treats might be stashed in your awaiting resupply sledge!

By Bob on Saturday, 24 April - 12:34 am -0700

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# Thanks Marc

It's good to know that Ben doesn't see the negative postings. Not that he couldn't handle them, but who the heck needs it? What Ben's doing is pure and doesn't need to be contaminated by the narrow minded, nasty people who, unfortunately, also have access to this site.

Well done to you too Marc and all the people at Serco who are supporting Ben. You're all great!

By Gwen on Friday, 23 April - 11:33 pm -0700

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# Here, here, Marc!

Here, here, Marc! I am very glad to know that you 'screen' the stupidity out of what Ben hears while on the Ice. He will eventually read everything, but for now, he needs as much positive feedback as we can all provide.

I, along with the rest of us who walk vicariously hand-in-hand with him and telekinetically help pull his sledge, genuflect to his undying efforts... I am proud to stand behind Ben!

Moki, a polar addict herself

By Moki Kokoris on Friday, 23 April - 11:15 pm -0700

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# Re-Supply Update

HI

to keep you all informed. The supply team arrived at Barneo Ice Station this morning. Weather conditions are unusually warm at present, at times wamer than -10 degrees. The re-supply is planned for tomorrow or the next day depending on weather windows.

Each evening Ben calls on his Satellite phone and the majority of messages are relayed to him. Naturally, we ensure the bigoted stupid messages are given the appropriate level of attention, i.e. None. Rest assured whilst Ben would deal with these in his usual fashion we believe he does not need to hear from a stupid minority but he would be heartened to see how many people he has in his camp coming to his defence. Well done everyone.

With this re-supply Ben is now going to be fully equipped to get as close to Canada as Ice conditions allow.

We are all behind him and willing him to succeed.

Marc (Serco Project Team)

By Marc @ Serco on Friday, 23 April - 10:25 pm -0700

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# BORGE, HIS LAST DEGREE TEAM, AND I....

Hey, Saunders!

I'm disappointed that you didn't wave back to us last week. We all stood on the eastern shores of Longyearbyen, and collectively waved in your direction, hoping that you'd notice. Alas.... Maybe it was that pesky white-out you were contending with. Oh well...

Yes, I was on Svalbard last week seeing Borge and his team off in their Last Degree endeavour - which in comparison to what you are trying to accomplish is miniscule at best. But we all have to start somewhere, don't we? To you, one degree is a mere drop in the Arctic ice-bucket. I believe the difference is something in the neighborhood of 1,180 miles. Yikes!!!

So, how is that boot of MINE faring these days? I am awaiting the auction......

Waving to you, but from back home in NY now.
Moki

By Moki Kokoris on Friday, 23 April - 08:55 pm -0700

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# 'Nuf said!!!!

I religiously read these dispatches, as well as their comments - most of which assuredly give Ben the support, love, and inspiration which he deserves in following his heart in this worthwhile and honorable quest. Today, however, this site has been stained by someone who is little more than a bigot and coward. This, of all places, should NOT be a venue for political opinion - least of all from an individual who reads these dispatches him/herself with obvious curiosity and perhaps even envy.

And the spelling error was f"reaking" ironic now, wasn't it? To you, I say: "As an American, you do indeed REEK shamefully! You are NOT welcome here to any of those who only look up to Ben with high regard and great respect!"

'Nuf said!!!!!!

Moki

By Moki Kokoris on Friday, 23 April - 08:40 pm -0700

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# Ben does get your messages

Please be reassured that the support team relays as many of the messages as possible verbatim during the daily phone call(s) so do keep sending!

By Helen Haile on Friday, 23 April - 07:52 pm -0700

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# May the Saints be present. . .

Considering you won't be reading the notes until you return home, it is sad--there are many talented people cheering you on. However, knowing the intuitive nature of talet, I would suspect you can sense the support and good will coming to you each day! We all do care very much that you get what you need accomplished, but particularly without harm!

May the Saints be present for the take off, drop and return for your re-supply.

Safe travel for tomorrow.
Cissy,
Texas

By Cissy on Friday, 23 April - 07:26 pm -0700

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# Reaking embarrassed

Sorry but is not the real reason for Bush's idiot wars to make the rich richer to begin with? I am proud to be American but am totally embarrassed by my government and the ignorance that supports it. Having said that, Let's talk about what Ben is doing and how great that is and save the politics for someplace else.

By Jim W. on Friday, 23 April - 06:55 pm -0700

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# look on the bright side "reak"

wow reak american, you are certainly feeling a bit sore. Although I believe that most successful people have a degree of selfishness and ego to achieve their goals, Ben and his team have activly reached out to schools and young offenders institutes across the UK to spread the message that as young people, they can do anything they want, to dream big and reach their potential. I hope you can in your own way help to inspire others, I myself am training to be a teacher and have used Ben's trek in lessons to motivate kids.

Good luck in your quest for a better world, but might I suggest looking for the best in other people before assuming the worst...

By watcher in the sticks on Friday, 23 April - 06:50 pm -0700

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# INSPIRATION

...is what it's about. The reak American doesn't understand what this is about. He or she will never understand it. Not to take anything away from what Ben is doing, but it's not like we're going around calling him a HERO...he is an INSPIRATION. I don't know why I feel compelled to respond to such blog. Such posters are ignorant to what this is all about. But I'm sure Ben IS a hero in the eyes of many for valid reasons. Not to take away from Pat Tillman, who is no doubt an American hero. I'm saddened by what happened and my heart goes out to his family.

Ben, you know what you're doing is something special. Press on and don't pay attention to such blog...I hope those negative messages are the ones that DON'T get thru to you.

Warm hugs and cheers to you!

Nikki

By Nikki on Friday, 23 April - 05:49 pm -0700

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# Reaking American

To the reaking American:
It's guys like you that make all American's look like idiots. You are disrespectful to someone like Pat Tillman. Ben is an absolute inspiration and hero to anyone and everyone that has not had the courage to follow their dreams. I'm sure that Pat, who also had the courage to follow his heart, would have agreed.

I feel compelled, as an American, to apologize for the inexcusable post below. I sincerely hope that these sort of remarks never make their way to Ben.

By Debbie on Friday, 23 April - 05:43 pm -0700

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# Sorry...

I posted the below message. Put Whoa where my name should have been entered.

By Gwen on Friday, 23 April - 05:11 pm -0700

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# Totally Uncalled For

Although everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, I'll never understand why people feel compelled to post nasty messages, which are, invariably, posted anonymously. It's difficult to respect anyone's opinion when they don't even have the courage to post their real name. So if you don't even have the guts to do that, what would you know about courage?

Not to take away from the tragedy of Pat Tillman's death, but one situation really has nothing to do with the other. Everyone is entitled to march to the beat of their own drum.

On a more positive note, thanks to Tony's Mum for the update about the supplies. I'm relieved to find out they arrived safely.

By Whoa on Friday, 23 April - 05:10 pm -0700

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# Safe arrival of supply team at Borneo base camp

I have just received a phone call from Tony (alas on my answerphone!) to say that he, Chris and supplies have arrived safely at Borneo base camp and that all is well. Next phone call from the pole itself! Tony's mum

By Helen Haile on Friday, 23 April - 04:43 pm -0700

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# Boots?

Hi Ben
We hope that when the aeroplane comes they send you a new pair of boots.
We all had a wonderful Easter holiday and now we are back at school in Sutton. Did you find an easter egg in your sledge?
Go Ben!
Tiger Class

By Tiger Class on Friday, 23 April - 03:14 pm -0700

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# Mother Nature

She sure can ruin the best laid plans.

I just looked at the Arctic weather map and it's sunny/cloudy in Cape Morris, Svalbard & Ushakova Island, and snow in Zohova and the Magnetic North Pole. With my extremely limited knowledge of Arctic weather, I hope the better weather will work its way to where you are. Come to think of it, I believe it's the first time I've looked at the map and seen that the sun anywhere on it, so maybe that's a good sign.

I'll be hoping the weather improves so it doesn't interfere with your important resupply.

By Gwen on Friday, 23 April - 03:10 pm -0700

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# Hopefully John's right.

WOW, another unpredictable day up North, eh? Good luck on the resupply. I hope John's right about it 'never being too late to be who you were meant to be'. At 33 and three different careers, I'll be heading to University this fall. Still searching, still learning. Take care.

By George Fudge on Friday, 23 April - 02:42 pm -0700

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# Snowed In

My motto has always been, "When you can not do anything, don't do anything." I think you wise to follow that philosophy :-)

By Calvin Clift on Friday, 23 April - 02:20 pm -0700