Serco TransArctic Expedition - Dispatches - Alone and shreezing (5th March 2004)

Visitor Comments

# There are 3 types of people...

Hi Ben

Someone once said that there are 3 types of people in this world. Those who make things happen. Those who would like something to happen and those who wonder what just happened!

You're in a very special group that make extraordinary things happen. You are constantly an inspiration to us! Stick with it. It will get better and you will complete your mission. We are all very proud of you.

Regards
Chris, Lianne, Courtney & Aaron

By Chris Hyman on Wednesday, 10 March - 11:05 pm -0800

# Cat Comments!

Jimmy sends Purr's and Meows to cheer you on. He' 16 and has had only a few recent exploits to brag about.He does admire your spirit and bravery . On the other hand ,Barney knows the perils and harshness of the cold and hasn't even hinted he wants to go out since I brought him in from the cold.All joking aside, I hope you are keeping as warm as possible.Do you keep a medical log? It might be a good thing to track your temperature and pulse. Is your intake adequate? Thank heavens for Kim K. as she has enabled a lot of us to journey along with you. Our prayers are with you.

By RN from NYC on Wednesday, 10 March - 03:28 am -0800

# Sunny and HOT here in Vegas

Keep the faith...I always wonder WHY people do the things they do..no exception here..Be safe !!

By Steve on Tuesday, 9 March - 03:23 pm -0800

# Thank You

Thank you for reminding all of us that in this digital and technical age that there are still great adventures to be had. I sit here and cuddle my babies and I am happily reminded that the world is so much bigger and wilder than just my tame little life. You can do it!! My two year old daughter is rooting you on! I think her little sister is too!
Much love from Arizona,
Megan, Haley & Katelyn

By Megan Tredway on Tuesday, 9 March - 01:53 pm -0800

# One in a Million

There are those of us who dream of doing and those of us who do what we dream. Obviously not too many that actually do it. My hat is off to you man!! The God's are with you and so am I. Think warm!!

By Doug on Tuesday, 9 March - 07:11 am -0800

# Your not alone

I came across your web page through Kim Komando site.
I am in awe, humbled and excited by your challenge. Please know that so many of us ( and the posts are proof) are folliowing you throughout your journey wishing you the best, and cheering you on each and every step! I definetly will be following you along, in thought and heartfelt prayer.
YOU ROCK!

By Pattie on Tuesday, 9 March - 03:14 am -0800

# Keep you warm

This is like a movie, I love it. Wish I was there to keep you warm.

By LindaMae on Tuesday, 9 March - 12:01 am -0800

# Your amazing

Ben, you are an inspiration to everyone who has ever dreamed of doing the impossible. God Bless you and good luck

By Bone on Monday, 8 March - 08:11 pm -0800

# Awesome cold; awesome journey

Ben: It is 88 degrees farenheidt today in Phoenix Az. where we live. As a cold weather hater it is difficult to relate to your willingness to submit to these temperatures let alone the many other hardships you face! Your fortitude is mind boggling and praiseworthy in the extreme! Can't wait to read more.

Sue

By Sue Zaninovich-Eyraud on Monday, 8 March - 07:31 pm -0800

# Marriage

Will you marry me?

By Jennifer on Monday, 8 March - 04:00 pm -0800

# Way To Go, Ben!

Ben

I'm following your incredible journey with bated breadth. God speed. Push on, man. You're doing great. Yahoo!

By Linda on Monday, 8 March - 03:14 pm -0800

# Your Great efforts

Your Great efforts to succeed at this will never be forgotten. This type of courage and exploration are what we as humans do..But only a few of us get to do it. YOU are one..Congradulations..

Paul McGowan

By pmcg on Monday, 8 March - 03:12 pm -0800

# keep it up

you are doing somthing that only i can dream about . Hope all goes well and that you make it to the end Remember we are all with you

By dale on Monday, 8 March - 02:00 pm -0800

# Good Luck

Ben
Caught up with your attempt via my ISP - will follow your progress - Good Luck from Blenheim, NZ
Kevin

By Kevin on Monday, 8 March - 04:56 am -0800

# Ice pack will come soon

I am sure that you will have ice pack very soon. You are brave.
With my best regards,
Dr. Teodor Negoita

By Dr.Teodor Gh. Negoita on Saturday, 6 March - 07:26 pm -0800

# here he goes again!

Ben: We met brieflly after your talk at the Thanet Campus - CAnterbury Christ Church College - I didn't realise at the time that your trup wa sso imminent. (obviously wasn't paying attention to that bit!)
I'll keep reading all the time you keep sending! We'll be thinking of you - shreezng out there!
jo

By jo scott on Saturday, 6 March - 12:32 pm -0800

# Cartoon in the DT

Hope the shreezing does not turn to sneezing, Ben! The first step is the hardest and you have made that- finally. We look forward to a first-hand account from Tony soon - hi Tony (and Val and Babs)! There is a large cartoon in the Daily Telegraph today of a skier plus harness hauling a very heavy Gordon Brown through the snow- I wonder where that idea came from? Love Helen

By Jonathan and Helen Haile on Saturday, 6 March - 11:12 am -0800

# focus

Shouldn't there be a web counter so we can see how many hits so far? The main sponsor Serco has been generous, so guys, tell yr friends about Ben. He is tough, but he aint crazy. And yes, he has a wonderful girlfriend.

By tim c on Saturday, 6 March - 10:40 am -0800

# ?

you have a girlfriend?

By t on Saturday, 6 March - 08:07 am -0800

# Your North Pole

Find your North Pole and then your Canada - I'm sure you'll make it... you get used to the cold after a while. Good Luck!

By Timothy Hilgenberg on Saturday, 6 March - 07:26 am -0800

# Why?

What is the purpose of your life?

By Jack Earl on Saturday, 6 March - 02:18 am -0800

# Brrrrrrrrrr!

Glad you are finally on the move next stop Canada
God speed
Babs X

By Babs Powell on Friday, 5 March - 11:13 pm -0800

# Gold -Rugs

Dear Ben,I forgot to remind you:
1 There is no gold up there.

2 I think you are selling bear rugs to the eskimos in return for their Ice wine and heat from the spinster ladies.
If you get in trouble,Greyhound has an office 25 miles S. of where you are. Good Luck my friend,Keep the rear flap up.

By Arty Abbott on Friday, 5 March - 10:06 pm -0800

# behind you

Ben,Way off in the back of your picture I thought I saw a polar bear tracking you.Is it true that it's so cold that when you urinate you have to keep breaking the stream off to continue your business.

By Arty Abbott on Friday, 5 March - 09:41 pm -0800

# Horay!!

Ben,
At last your finally on the ice. Keep it up!!!
Lucy

By Lucy Hartley on Friday, 5 March - 04:45 pm -0800

# Get on!!

Seeing lots of fantastic pictures of you on the news here in Blighty! Glad to here you're away. See you on the other side of the hill.

By Dan Spong on Friday, 5 March - 04:45 pm -0800

# Keep on trucking

Well done Ben, you rock!

God speed and keep up the good spirit. I always found that a drop or two of the scottish single malt did it for me when i felt cold - but maybe thats not an option eh? :=))

By Brian Nielsen on Friday, 5 March - 02:25 pm -0800

# HURRAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

Ben it is Incredible!!!

Just to get the FINAL update with you on your way! !!! You will make it!!! so keep going on! we will be all watching you!
I am at work and I just feel like getting out of here and celebrate!
I will be taking care of Val, since I will be coming to the UK to work for the 3 months you will be away

By tete on Friday, 5 March - 01:52 pm -0800

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.

D-Day minus one... - Wednesday, 3rd March 2004

Things are looking up. It seems highly likely that we will fly tomorrow (no honestly, it does!) After a final photo shoot on the river this afternoon, we packed the sledges away for the last time and sat here with our fingers firmly crossed, I'm ...read more

Let's go - Thursday, 4th March 2004

It's supposed to be getting warmer now, yet in Khatanga this morning it was a bone-chilling -47 degrees - a good omen. The helicopter flight we thought would never happen er, happened and I'm biting my nails waiting for my final drop off flight ...read more

Alone and shreezing - Friday, 5th March 2004

According to my mum (hi mum!) I used to pronounce freezing as 'shreezing' when I was a bit younger. Well, it's bruddy shreezing here in my tent right now! Our fears were confirmed this morning, with over 50km of open water off the cape. ...

Wacky races - Saturday, 6th March 2004

I shared my drop off flight yesterday with Wave Vidmar, Bettina Aller from Denmark and her boyfriend Jean-Gabriel. Bettina and J-G set off first, with light sledges (they are being resupplied) and the four of us have been within view of each other ...read more

Perspective - Sunday, 7th March 2004

A really tough, soul-searching day, for a number of reasons. The ice conditions are ok, with a mixture of recently frozen leads, 'rubble' ice and a few big pressure ridges. The weather's pretty good too, although it feels colder today. The physical ...read more

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“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” - T.S. Eliot