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Dispatches: One day at a time - Saturday, 13th March 2004

Day's Statistics

Expedition & Environmental Statistics:
Position:82.24.7N 097.05.1E (view route map)
Daily distance:4.1 nm
Total distance:37.1 nm
Distance to go:870.5 nm
Travelling time:6 hours
Temperature:-23°C
Conditions:veering westerly wind, new thin snow, whiteout
view large image
view large image

Today is day nine on the ice. The hardest decision I've had to make so far happened a few days ago. I was skiing over a huge area of very new ice - miles and miles of it. Because of the combined weight of the two sledges, I was forced to pull one and then head back to collect the other - for every mile north, I was skiing three. Sooner or later I was going to be in trouble - the big sledge had the drysuit, the phone, my tent, etc. To be parted from this would be disastrous, yet every 30 minutes I was abandoning it on some very dodgy ice.

I finally took the decision to continue with just the big sledge. I was forced to jettison some of my food and fuel as well, but hopefully I can increase my mileages now I just have the one sledge to contend with. We'll see.

Every inch north is a battle at the moment. Another whiteout today - I didn't see the sun once and the wind changed direction during the day, making navigation quite challenging. My camera conked out during the day, although a quick blast over the stove brought it back to life. You'll have to make do with a picture of me waving like a wally rather than anything more scenic, I'm afraid.

Yesterday's big lead had JUST frozen over and I inched over it first thing this morning with my heart in my mouth. Luckily I haven't seen any more water today, although I crossed some bear tracks (the third set of the expedition) this afternoon. I don't think they were brand new, but it's always slightly spooky seeing them...

To end on a lighter note, you might be amused to note two things:

1) Because of the whiteout, I couldn't see exactly where I was pitching my tent. It turned out to be a bit of a slope, and I'm lying here at a crazy angle with my feet up in the air.

2) In a desperate bid to save weight, I threw away the stylus for my iPAQ. I now write these updates using a matchstick. What a plonker.

Today's dedication is to my stepdad Giles, and to the teacher that wrote 'Ben lacks sufficient impetus to achieve anything worthwhile' in one of my school reports.

Visitor Comments

# Resourceful

Your creative abilities may see you through this. I hope your teacher reads your comment. I had a teacher who told me I would never make it in the business world. Confidence and determination are as important as knowledge and physical ability. Apparently you have them all.

By Sandie Nash-Witschy on Tuesday, 23 March - 03:35 pm -0800

# p.s.

I can't believe that teacher said such a thing!!! Ludicrous!!

By Nikki on Sunday, 14 March - 09:06 pm -0800

# Wish I was there!!

Living out a dream, dude!!! Right on! I wouldn't care much about your not washing or changing undies...I'm sure the cold takes care of that until you thaw... :-) You are doing something truly inspiring...my friends think I'm NUTSO for wanting to train for such an adventure...but I'm making it one of my goals...perhaps we could journey together sometime? :-) I wish you the best, and my thoughts are with always...good luck, stay positive and stay smart!! You certainly sound like you're in great spirits...keep that up! Now...will you marry me? :-) I'll be watching the dispatches!

Nikki

By Nikki on Sunday, 14 March - 09:04 pm -0800

# Cleaner days!

For the message of the earth day addict - life (Ben's) are far more important today then pulling a sledge. He did not get up and decide to pollute the pole today. For heaven's sake it will probably fall off the ice and disappear into the 22,000 feet of water who today can go that far to pick the man apart. Really cheer his determination of points in his life today not his sledge from yesterday.

Much respect Ben for making the right decision.
christy in Northern Virginia

By Christy on Sunday, 14 March - 06:40 pm -0800

# Bears

Are you afraid of the bear tracks? I saw a black bear cross the highway in PA. You are very brave. My bubby (grandmother) says you should keep warm and dry. Thank you for this great web site - my family is enjoying your adventure.

By Syd on Sunday, 14 March - 06:22 pm -0800

# Re: to One Day at a Time

Ben, I am just now catching up on your trip thus far...wow, you are an incredible man. I hope all people who have given kids & adults negative advice read this & realize that it is just as easy to encourage someone than to discourage. Keep the faith & best wishes for a successful onward journey.

By Susan Carfora on Sunday, 14 March - 03:56 pm -0800

# Success

Success
Dear Ben,

Dear Ben,
I do not speak very good English. But I understood that you passed a hard incident.
At any time I am by you.
Kind regards,

Teodor

By Dr.Teodor Gh. Negoita on Sunday, 14 March - 02:19 pm -0800

# Iceman

Keep on doin what you do best

By wes evans on Sunday, 14 March - 01:42 pm -0800

# Trouble

I have to say you do sound like you are heading for trouble. I have read a lot about the Arctic and I know that no one has ever even made the Pole unsupported with only one sled, how can you possibly expect to reach Canada now? I assume you had always planned to abandon the second sled eventualy but you can't possibly have planned to do so after only two days.

By John on Sunday, 14 March - 12:39 pm -0800

# think green!

I am a little disappointed to hear that adventurers, and Ben is not the only one, just leave behind stuff like fuel, composite materials, etc! Really, if there are places on earth that need to be kept clean, they are the poles...
Total polar addict at heart myself, I could never stand before a crowd and have to confr'ont them with the polar beauty and nonchalently tell them that I polluted these pristine places for my own ambition...
An expedition is only a passage in one's life, non-biodegradable stuff floating around in a fragile environment outlives us all. It is such a privilege to be out there, and with that comes a great deal of responsibility.
Please do what you do with ethics!!!
Dixie Dansercoer www.circles.cc

By Dansercoer Dixie on Sunday, 14 March - 09:27 am -0800

# YOUR MY HERO!

Dude keep going...never stop! I think your the greatest!

Bassem from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

By SLIM on Sunday, 14 March - 09:08 am -0800

# Enough Supplies

Seems that getting rid of one of your sleds with supplies show that you have not prepared properly for this jouney. Are there any rescue plans when you run out of food or if you get injured? Let us know that there are such. Everybody seem to think this is a really amazing. Personally I feel you are over your head and heading into a disaster waiting to happen. What survival training have you had in an Arctic Climate? Concerned in Alaska!
VolkerJ Hruby

By Volker on Sunday, 14 March - 09:05 am -0800

# Keep on skiing!

Ben

I hope you remember me meeting me at the North Pole last year!

Very envious, as you know, to see and experience so graphically what you are doing - as you are surviving in the extreme cold, I am preparing for a 150 mile run/stumble/crawl across the Sahara in April (Marathon des Sables) - and god knows I hate the heat! I would rather be where you are anyday.

The care buddy; come back safe!

Simon

By Simon in Manchester on Sunday, 14 March - 01:27 am -0800

# rations

Ben, what is your plan now that you have given up the small sledge along with fuel and rations? Assuming the best of conditions how far can you travel in one day? Hopefully the weather will break and you will be able to get 3 or 4 hours a day of travel time. A rough questimate on my part says this will put you on track with your food supply. If you like bear meat, then you can travel a little slower. Of course there is always take out in a pinch.

By Bill Kenny on Saturday, 13 March - 11:58 pm -0800

# Incredible resolve

Ben
You said this was about personal limits not geographic. What an amazing example you're setting. If we could all keep smiling after making what must have been one of the hardest decisions you've had to make, how much further would we be in life? Please keep the inspiration coming!

Regards

Chris

By Chris Hyman on Saturday, 13 March - 11:10 pm -0800

# The Curse

After Noah's flood, mankind was cursed with winter. Enjoy your snow bath...it's all you're going to get.

By Jon Pertwee on Saturday, 13 March - 10:55 pm -0800

# Sod School

They never knew anything.

My heart is in my mouth for you. Please be safe - but please don't give up. You're a star.

By Dan on Saturday, 13 March - 10:54 pm -0800

# Boundless Opportunity

Behind me is infinite power,
Before me is endless possibility,
Around me is boundless opportunity.
Why should I fear?

-NC, USA

By B on Saturday, 13 March - 09:26 pm -0800

# When you are asleep, do you still hear the crunch?

What are your dreams about?
Are they about walking?

By Kenneth on Saturday, 13 March - 08:44 pm -0800

# GOOD LUCK

GOOD LUCK, I HOPE YOU MAKE YOUR TRIP SAFELY.
MAY GOD BE WITH YOU.

By JOAN on Saturday, 13 March - 08:14 pm -0800

# Lovely smile

I had intended just lurk anonomously to watch your progress but your smile touched me. Please please take good care and know many many people are beside you in spirit and in prayers.

By Ms. Vee on Saturday, 13 March - 08:13 pm -0800

# Good to see your smiling face!

Good to see your smiling face!
Cissy
Texas

Invictus
-William Ernest Henley-
1849-1908

Out of the night that covers me,
Black is the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank what ever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the harrow of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how straight the gate,
How charged with punishment the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

By Cissy on Saturday, 13 March - 08:02 pm -0800

# go for it Ben

Good going Ben I had one of them type teachers and I made alot of my 66 years
Don M

By Don Maudlin on Saturday, 13 March - 07:43 pm -0800

# Right On!

Best of Luck on your Grand Adventure.

Shaun
Redmond, Oregon

By Shaun Larson on Saturday, 13 March - 06:48 pm -0800

# More than a Label

Hi, Ben
I do believe, your jetison of extra weight, was a calculated move, suggesting improved speed per nautical mile. Too, good to see your photo, with a smile that conveys under such extreme conditions, a sense of well-being. Keep on, keeping on, one day at a time.
-Scot
San Luis Obispo, Ca.

By Scot Morrison on Saturday, 13 March - 06:35 pm -0800

# Your Plans?

Ben,
Sounds pretty miserable up there. Are you still going to be able to get across unsupported or are you now planning to be re-supplied? When did you ditch the sled?

By Pete on Saturday, 13 March - 06:00 pm -0800

# Northern light?

Hi Ben,
I was just wondering....on those few clear nights you have up there, could you tell us if you can see the Northern Lights, and what they look like?
Keep the faith. We're all rooting for you!

By Bill Lewis on Saturday, 13 March - 05:42 pm -0800

# your not alone

We're right there with you Ben. Good job!

By Bonnie on Saturday, 13 March - 03:59 pm -0800

# Good Luck and Best Wishes for Success

Ben;

I work with Valeria. I'm in Boston and have been over to our London office a couple of time this year. I saw Valeria this week in Boston and she told me about your adventure. I asked her to forward me your website address.

I was amazed to read of your plans and have passed your website address on to ther friends that I know would be interested and intrigued.

Best wishes for a successfusl and safe journey. I'll be watching and reading along the way. Say hello to Santa when you reach the Norh Pole!

Good Luck, Paul Nolan
Boston, Massachusetts USA

By Paul Nolan on Saturday, 13 March - 03:23 pm -0800

# Go Ben!!!

GO FOR IT PAL!!!

By Jack LeMar on Saturday, 13 March - 03:00 pm -0800

# impressed

i just became acquainted with your site less than an hour ago and already there's an update! i will definitely be coming back every day to cheer you on. i especially liked the dedications to your teacher today. stay warm and enjoy your time away from the rest of us in the craziness of civilization.

By Jon Fulk on Saturday, 13 March - 02:33 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.

Whiteout

Whiteout - Thursday, 11th March 2004

No easy miles today. Things started out looking good, but within an hour the headwind had started (frozen face and drifting backwards) and the cloud had descended. I could hardly see a thing. Fun fun fun. Swearing into my iced up face mask, I ...read more

There may be rubble ahead...

There may be rubble ahead... - Friday, 12th March 2004

I was psyched up for a big-mileage day today, but the Arctic had other ideas. Really nasty rubble ice this morning and a nice big open lead (area of open water) this afternoon. It was about 100m wide, ran to either horizon and was just starting ...read more

One day at a time

One day at a time - Saturday, 13th March 2004

Today is day nine on the ice. The hardest decision I've had to make so far happened a few days ago. I was skiing over a huge area of very new ice - miles and miles of it. Because of the combined weight of the two sledges, I was forced to pull one ...

Frustration

Frustration - Sunday, 14th March 2004

I woke up with a start, my heart pounding. What the hell was that noise? 'Shhhhlick... plumpf... shhhhhhlick... plumpf.' After a minute or two, it dawned on me - it snowed heavily last night and as the sun started to rise, the snow on the roof of my ...read more

When the going gets tough...

When the going gets tough... - Monday, 15th March 2004

...Ben gets down in the dumps. Well I was for most of the day, anyway. Overnight I'd drifted back to where I was THREE days ago and it was so cold this morning that I thought my toes might get frosbitten INSIDE my sleeping bag. The wind was still ...read more

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