Visitor Comments

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# sun dog reply

whats good my name is space, im from pawtucket rhode island. I attend Blackstone Academy. I found out the defination of parhelion .

Definition: [n] a bright spot on the parhelic circle; caused by diffraction by ice crystals
Synonyms: mock sun, sundog

You asked what do polar bears drink. They dont eat snow for water.
Polar bears get their water from the chemical reaction that breaks down fat.
So they dont drink water.
Hope your doing well. Looking forward for the prize.

By jonatah aka space on Thursday, 25 March - 07:27 pm -0800

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# And the Answer is....

Ben,
For Marion County Middle School. Mr. Porter's Science class in Buena Vista, Ga, USA, a parahelion is A mock sun appearing in the form of a bright light, sometimes
near the sun, and tinged with colors like the rainbow, and
sometimes opposite to the sun. The latter is usually called
an anthelion. Often several mock suns appear at the same
time. As for what polar bears drink......water which they obtain from both unfrozen water supplie and their food. Even if we don't win, we have enjoyed the questions and tracking your progress

By Angela on Tuesday, 23 March - 12:06 am -0800

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# Hows the trek

The Sun dog photo I tried to guess but I don't know. I write this up to check how you were doing on the trek. I will write again tomorrow.

love Alfie (aged 9)

By Jessie(AlfieAged9) on Monday, 22 March - 08:54 pm -0800

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# met last year at Borneo

Yo Ben,

We met last year at the Borneo camp, I was with the Russian skydiving group. As an ultra-runner, I'm in awe of your endeavor -- thinking of it will sure provide me with extra mental kick on my next race!

I'll be checking your progress, hopefully, we'll meet again wherever that might be. Watch out for the bears.

By Evgeniy Gorkov on Monday, 22 March - 09:18 am -0800

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# One ahead of the other...

Ben, glad to read things improved some for you. Keep it up!! Wish I had the guts to try such an adventure...Rage on!

By George Fudge on Monday, 22 March - 01:04 am -0800

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# now your talk'n

Look at you Ben:

What a guy; you see absolutely no people, you struggle with survival techniques, keep your gear in order and running smoothly, watchful for any potential problems, keep your body running efficently and what do you do?

You teach, encourage, enlighten and challenge us!

Wow! I am inspired by you, and by each dispatch I become a better person for knowing you.

Keep up the good work and know we continue to send you our good thoughts and prayers for lots of great ski condition and travel success.

Cissy,
Texas
"As the essence of courage is to stake one's life on a possibility, so the essence of faith is to believe that the possibility exists."
by William Salter

By Cissy on Monday, 22 March - 12:09 am -0800

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# Keep the light shining

Hi Ben

Its great to hear that you're finally having some good days. Recent news remind us of how amazing you and this journey are. We salute your courage, passion and determination. Remember frustration makes wise people cut corners and ignore their routine. Whatever the weather or conditions keep following the routine. You more than any of us know the rules. Don't be tempted to break them. You're already a hero in our eyes. No use doing something silly trying to become one!!

Take care and Gods speed.

Chris, Lianne and the kids

By Chris Hyman on Monday, 22 March - 12:02 am -0800

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# Beautiful photo

What an amazing sight to see, Ben. It sounds as though you had a fairly good day, and thanks for the explanation about the slow progress. Glad to hear it's not going to be that way for you for the entire adventure. I searched the web, and have now found out what a sun dog is, and what polar bears drink. Since I'm not part of a school, I won't post the answers, but thanks for the quiz, since I enjoy learning new things. You're educating me in more ways then you know, and I wish you a safe, sunny, calm day on your trek tomorrow.

By Gwen on Sunday, 21 March - 11:10 pm -0800

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# WOW!!! I wish I could be see whAt you see!

This must be an amazing feeling you must be experiencing. I can only imagine; while you live the reality of it ALL. Good luck ! Stay strong! I am truly moved by your trek. Oh, by the way I just want to answer one of your two questions.
1. a PARHELION/"SUNDOG," IS A PAIR OF REFLECTIONS OF THE SUN SEPERATED BY THE REAL SUN ITSELF. THUS MAKING THE SUNDOGS FAKE SUNS WHICH LOOK LIKE THE SUN BUT WITH A SHADOW ON EACH SIDE OF THE SUNDOG. OR, IF ONE MIGHT SAY " A SORT OF ILLUSSION." THIS IS SEEN, WHEN THE SUN IS VIEWED ON THE END OF THE HORIZON AND THE VIEWER ON THE SAME HORIZONTAL PLANE LOOKS FORTH AND SEES THE LIGHT OF THE SUN REFRACTED THROUGH HEXAGONAL CRYSTALS OF ICE WHICH IS PARRALEL TO THE HORIZONTAL PLANE, THUS EMMITTING THE SUNDOG. THE SECOND QUESTION,'WHAT DO POLAR BEARS DRINK?" I COULDN'T FIND THE ANSWER FOR THAT QUESTION. I'LL LEAVE THAT QUESTIONS TO THE WILDLIFE SCHOLARS OF THE WORLD. AGAIN, KUDOS TO YOU!!!
KEEP ON TREKKING BROTHER!
ALL THE BEST
ROBERT LOPEZ
BRONX, NEW YORK
P.S. CORRECT ME PLEASE IF I'M WRONG ABOUT THE SUNDOG . THANKS

By Robert Lopez on Sunday, 21 March - 06:36 pm -0800

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# Actually...

...when I post my message it indicates a time of post. It seems like that's your time? So it's almost 6p on Sunday for you? I'm thinking that's how it works... :-D

By Nikki on Sunday, 21 March - 05:53 pm -0800

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# Beautiful Sun Dog!

What a beautiful photo, Ben! Thanks for sharing! Glad you had a bit of a better day. I wish you hearty rest and an awesome day on Monday! I'm guessing it's almost Monday for you if it isn't already? Thanks for making your dispatches so fun and interesting to read...and thank you for the time zone lesson (thanks to Christy for the question!) Godspeed, Ben! Look forward to reading tomorrow! :-) -- Nikki

By Nikki on Sunday, 21 March - 05:52 pm -0800

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# your brave

u keep trying cause im cherring you on you rock

By TREVER on Sunday, 21 March - 04:45 pm -0800

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# surreal pic

Hiya Ben,
MY nine year old son Alfie is in awe of your task and we have to sign on everyday too see how you are doing.Must admit i am hooked to..
The last adventure book I read was Con tikki Rar.about an explorer of easter island etc. I assume you will be writing a book about this.That would be so cool,well not quite as cool as getting to Canada..
Glad you are making good distances now and the photos of the scenery although bleak are very beautiful.as for sundogs. Just learnt something new today.how to decide time diff using latitudes etc and what a sundog is.

keep yomping.......
keep warm and keep filling in you daily reports.they are inspirational.

jessica(PH)

By Jessie(AlfieAged9) on Sunday, 21 March - 04:26 pm -0800

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# Big Dawg on da' Porch

Hi, Ben
Fantastic! Fantastic! Thank you for capturing, the essences of the Arctic, in a brillant illumination of our G4 class star. Additionally, stellar job for this day, especially considering -21 degrees, as a warm day in the park (farout). Your expedition remains a phenomena in my life, a first, when an individual can interact in almost real-time, with someone on the cutting-edge of adventure. Hang loose, Bro!
-Scot
San Luis Obispo, Ca.

By Scot Morrison on Sunday, 21 March - 04:12 pm -0800

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# sorry I forgot to mention

Sorry I forgot to mention I am sending my message from Lapland, Finland and only got to know about your expedition when trying to follow Dominick`s.
Best of luck and endurance.
Irene Erkkila

By irene erkkila on Sunday, 21 March - 04:10 pm -0800

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# Polar Bears & Sun Dogs

Hello again from Las Vegas or Sin City your choice.
Glad to see your making a little better time & your sprits seem to be a little more UP. In following your trip I have now learned what a Sun Dog is & what Polar Bears drink.
I think it's great that kids are watching & I'm sure you will inspire a few to take on a challenge such as yours some day.
Sin City will be 93 today a bit warmer than where you are. Keep on moving that red dot & may the Force Be With You.

By Bill Caddoo on Sunday, 21 March - 03:55 pm -0800

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# Looking Warmer

Ben...my son Tristen and I have been tracking your wounderfull adventure since the 14th of this month..We are happy to see your in good spirts...(no more nose bleeds)ect. as Tristen was worried (3 1/2yrs) Keep up the great work...so many of us are thinking about you and hope all is well... Steve/Tristen ....

By Steve/Tristen Lippert on Sunday, 21 March - 03:29 pm -0800

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# Sun Dog

Hi Ben,

I don't know what a sun dog is, but you are definitely the snow/ice dog. There was a commercial here in the states a few years back that depicted polar bears drinking a particular brand of soft drink- Good distance traveled today. I hope that the weather and terrain continue to improve for you. I noticed that you usually travel 6 - 7 hours a day? Is that based on the maximum amount of time that you can be exposed to the elements? My 4 year old son wants me to tell you to make sure you have your boots and mittens on before going out in the snow. -Looking forward to tomorrow's progress report. You have certainly sparked my interest in the arctic and I like the details that you provide in your reports.

By Bob on Sunday, 21 March - 03:27 pm -0800

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# By the WAY

Do you talk to Wave at all while you are out there, any chance you two will meet up with each other towards the end? I have been follwing him closely but not responding to his site for I think you two would share these at the end. He's doing quite well also with you. Talk to tomorrow morning, we have soccer games today.

Sleep well tonight.

By christy on Sunday, 21 March - 03:22 pm -0800

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# Thank you

I have been trying to follow your time zone and with no luck, that's why I asked you the question last week. THANK you for explaining it. It's not tough really, I have had to read and re-read it though! Failed math in school! Now it's easier to understand your time frames. I am so glad to see your little blinking red circle moving more and more each day. Keep up the good work, it's almost April and after that it's only one month to go. The days will get better. Believe me and you will do this. I have much faith in you. You have made it thus far, it's got to get only better. Just keep your determinaton up from this point. You been going at this long......Much love and admiration.
Warm weather here, 59F GREAT. Thought about you today and seeing nothing but cold. I don't know how you manage really. I fringe when it's 43 and I have to be outside for 1 1/2 hour with the kids at soccer. Gotta love you....
Prayers and wishes coming your way.
christy

By christy on Sunday, 21 March - 03:16 pm -0800

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# SUN DOGS

Sun dogs" are another name for the optical phenomena, parhelia, which are the colored splotches of light commonly seen to the right, the left or on both sides of the sun. They form when ice crystals bend sunlight, separating it into its colors and redirecting the light at 22° angles on each side of the sun. They also are known as mock suns, and may appear as bright white sunlight, just like the sun, instead of in colors.

By christy on Sunday, 21 March - 03:10 pm -0800

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# So Ben....

From Arlington Science Focus School, we were the first on both sites, yours and the contact site for you, to answer the question, you know what the kids would like? Some beautiful photographs autographed by you at the end of the journey. NO money or anything of the sorts, just for you to accomplish your dream and your mission unharmed and back in high spirits.

Good luck Ben, I am so glad to see you making such progress.

By christy on Sunday, 21 March - 03:06 pm -0800

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# Polar Bears

Diet: Eats mostly ringed and bearded seals. They will occasionally eat other mammals, eggs, vegetation and beach-cast carrion. Polar bears don't drink water. They get all the liquids that they need from the animals that they eat.

By christy on Sunday, 21 March - 03:04 pm -0800

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# What a picture!

Incredible Ben! I unfortunately don't know off the top of my head...What a Polar Bear drinks? But ya got me thinking...and will check it out! Great idea in this post with your 2 questions for the schools! See..your becoming a part-time teacher too! Loved the pic of the SunDog! Thinking of you & sending more sun! Have a good nights rest...and KEEP ON TRUCKIN! Catch ya' Tomm. Tina...NH

By tina..NH on Sunday, 21 March - 03:03 pm -0800

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# Parahelion

From ARLINGTON SCIENCE FOCUS SCHOOL in Arlington, VA

Aparahelion is a refraction phenomenon similar to a parahelion, but occurring generally at a distance of 120° (occasionally 90° and 140°) from the sun, on the parhelic circle.

By christy on Sunday, 21 March - 03:00 pm -0800