Visitor Comments

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# Friday Afternoon

.. I was sitting here at my desk feeling sorry for myself, that is until I received an email advising staff of your current plight. Up until now I hadn't taken a great deal of notice of what it is you are doing. However I came onto your website address and am BLOWN AWAY. I can't begin to tell you how much I admire you and what you are doing. Just hang on in there Ben - you're many times the person most of us could ever dream of being. I'm in awe.....

By Jane Connor on Friday, 26 March - 12:32 pm -0800

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# Chin up...

Dear Ben
I can't imagine what you are really going through. Good luck with the boot repairs and hope the whiteout comes to an end soon, so you can progress. We're rooting for you here in the office. Take care and chin up.

By Louise on Friday, 26 March - 10:26 am -0800

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# retorts

In answer to a good deal of incredulity in the quotes regarding Ben's preparedness for this trek ...
he has one pair of boots because carrying a spare would have added more weight to his load - if you read his first dispatches you will see that he was obsessive about saving weight - removing labels from his clothing and replacing metal zip pulls with cord etc. Ben and his team took a calculated risk ... on an unsupported mission you simply don't have the luxury of taking spares regardless of their fundamental importance.

No taxpayers are going to have to pick up the tab if he needs rescuing..... Ben like most explorers has insurance.

As for the identity of the boot manufacturer - I refer you all to the Equipment page of this website.

To Ben - best of luck - the send off at the Putney Bridge seems a very longtime ago now and I am watching your progress on a daily basis and keeping my fingers crossed for you. I look forward to welcoming you back to London after you have successfuly complteted your trek.

By Sacha on Friday, 26 March - 08:23 am -0800

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# WHO MADE THOSE BOOTS?!?!

Ben,

I have been following your trek for a while, along with that of Dominick. Kudos. I have hopes of doing a trek by horseback across Mongolia in the future, and you and those of your ilk give me impetus.

I have a question: Who produced those boots that you are wearing?

I believe that the company that made those boots should bear the cost of airlifting you a new pair! If we knew of a company name, I am sure that we could initiate an e-mail/fax/phone campaign to request that they do this. It may not work, but it couldn't hurt to try.

I'd even be willing to do what I could to see it through. Can somebody from your team contact me if need be?

Regards,
A. Scott Clement
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

By Scott Clement on Friday, 26 March - 05:11 am -0800

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# to Ben - UP NORTH

A copy of the poem "Invictus" (Willeam Ernest Henley), hangs on the wall of my computer room. Not sure if you have a copy with you, so here goes...

INVICTUS

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.

(Steady as she goes, Ben; you can do it.)

By George Fudge on Friday, 26 March - 02:44 am -0800

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# to James-Ottawa

As a retired service member of the Canadian Forces, I would not only go to Ben's assistance (should that event unfortunately happen), but would also consider it an honour to do so. The world needs more people like Ben; brave and determined. Lighten up buddy, you go Ben!

By George Fudge on Friday, 26 March - 02:28 am -0800

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# What a wimp!

Throw those boots away. A real man would be doing this trip bear foot anyway.

By Macca on Friday, 26 March - 12:03 am -0800

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# A Picture's Worth...

It's so hard to imagine being in those surroundings; your dispatch descriptions help us "see" so much!

The picture of the ski poles showing the severe weather in the background makes me shiver! I'm glad you're staying tucked in today and hope you have a restful night.

May the boot repair hold tight and you ski gleefully on tomorrow...

By Debi on Thursday, 25 March - 11:58 pm -0800

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# sole y nieve

Don't know enough about the composition of your boot soles, but this is a frequent problem with cheapo shoes; I checked my shoes this morning and one had split . You need a fibre reinforcement or the soles should be made of a laminate material. (like plywood) The retired polymer chemist could advise, for another expedition. Have you any kevlar material that you could cannibalise? You might be able to insert a thin bridge between sole and boot, and sew through it. Keep yr eye on the other boot...
Go on, go on, go on, go on (it is Father Ted tonight)

By tim c on Thursday, 25 March - 10:47 pm -0800

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# I thought I would save this for a really bad day...

...and it appears you just had one. Dear Ben, as a form of motivating you throughout the worst bits of your incredibly mad holiday, I have decided to relay some funny stories to you. For each really tough day, you get one story from my upcoming autobiography. Hopefully it'll put a smile on your face. After all, you told me in New York that you would read -somehow- your message board while you're up there.

A few weeks ago, over the Valentine's Day week-end, I visited Los Angeles to spend some time with my girlfriend. Unfortunately said girlfriend had decided to break up with me three days before Valentine's Day. Still, despite being in a melancholy mood for some time, I managed to have good fun in California during my trip. First, my friends introduced me to a gorgeous blonde model who immediately agreed to have dinner with me on Valentine's Day. Dinner plans saved, I resolved to lose some weight -hastily- in order to impress this Californian amazone. Subsequently I pushed my limits and ran 6 to 7 miles in the mornings. While in Pittsburgh that entails running on a level track, in Beverly Hills it means enduring an increasing grade, which ends at the top of the hills of this glitzy neighbourhood. The only pleasant part of this exercise regime is the view one is afforded from the very top of the hills. Overlooking Los Angeles, it gives one an idea of the vastness of the area, which reaches farther than the naked eye can see. While most tourists drive around Beverly Hills to catch a glimpse of the homes and estates in the area, I found it rather difficult to concentrate on not collapsing and sight-seeing at the same time. However, I did find that concentrating too much on running and not enough on the environment in which one runs can harbour danger.

On various occasions during my ascends of the hills of Beverly, I made the unexpected acquaintance of more than a few guard dogs who were roaming the streets unsupervised. After a particularly unpleasant looking representative -of the Rottweiler breed, seemingly coming out of nowhere-, made it obvious that despite keeping to the public sidewalk I had been trespassing, I decided to relocate my exercise regime to the shores of Santa Monica. Having not had similar experiences anywhere else, and realising that most of the homes higher up in the hills were surrounded by solid and tall walls, I theorised that the residents of Beverly Hills concocted an evil plan to keep annoying tourists at bay. By taking turns in unleashing their canine protectors and opening the massive front gates to their sprawling and secluded estates, they would ensure that anyone peacefully walking around the neighbourhood would soon be taught a lesson to take their pedestrian urges elsewhere.

However, having successfully completed three long runs in three days, several workout sessions in the hotel’s exercise room, and after being chased by dogs up and down Beverly Hills, I felt very manly and tough on the evening of my dinner (which was boring, as the girl ended up having no brains) and on my flight back to Pittsburgh. The morning after arriving in Pittsburgh, I woke up almost an hour late and rushed into the shower. Being intimately familiar with the layout of my bathroom, I am accustomed to showering in the dark, at least in the mornings, as this affords my eyes the comfort of getting used to light for a few minutes. Hence I walked into my bathroom, pulled the shower curtain aside, stepped into the shower, and turned on the cold water faucet. Since I only take cold showers in the morning, I always point the showerhead at my feet before rushing into the water with a mental battle cry. As I pointed the showerhead at my feet, I looked down to where the water was hitting the floor and saw something as strange as it was fear inspiring. I distinctly remember looking up at the showerhead, thinking that I was still dreaming. The thoughts that followed came and went in a nanosecond but included elaborate contemplations of where I was (still in California, where such a sight might be possible, or in Pittsburgh where such a sight is most definitely not possible), whether I was beginning to be delusional like my parents, and how best to deal with the situation if it turned out to be real.

I looked again and to my utter shock saw the same shocking thing which I had seen earlier. I had been hoping that I was dreaming, but to my dismay, standing squarely between my naked feet, was a 14 inch long lizard. The creature’s face and body were as gormless as they were fear inspiring and this only added to the terror of realising that I had a large prehistoric reptile in my shower and that it staring -with reptilian ardor- at my bottom, while less than two inches from the nearest piece of my flesh. Instinctively, I mounted a clumsily executed –yet effective- retreat, while formulating a very loud and decidedly unmanly battle cry, in doing so alerting anyone near and far of my predicament. This had the desired effect of extracting myself from the vicinity of the dangerous beast, which looked as shocked as I felt and subsequently ran into the far corner of my shower. I shut the bathroom door tightly and immediately stuffed the cavity between the bottom of the door and the floor with towels, in order to trap my undesired houseguest.

Since it was unlikely that the lizard had gotten trapped in my luggage, which was filled to the brim with my belongings, it was reasonable to assume that it had escaped from its owner’s flat, which was presumably in my flat building. Hence I wrote a note asking the owner to retrieve his pet from my shower. When said owner failed to contact me by telephone, either out of embarrassment or because of an oversight of the note, which I scotch-taped to the main entrance to the building before going to work, I phoned the police to ask them to remove the lizard. The dispatcher argued that even if I were telling the truth, it was not the responsibility of the police to remove lizards from homes, no matter how long they were. I argued that the lizard was potentially dangerous and that I thought it was very much the police’s responsibility to protect its citizens from wild animals. The emergency dispatcher failed to see the reason in this and impolitely disconnected me. Luckily the brave men of my landlord’s service department were more courageous and promptly sent three men to collect the demonic pest.

Although the account of the lizard encounter bemused my coworkers, especially Jim, who in a rare display of evilness hypothesised about the consequences had I accidentally stepped on the lizard, I was shaken for the remainder of the day. In retrospect, the discovery of a 14-inch lizard in my shower, standing just inches from me, was despite its briefness a far more shocking and disturbing event in my life than all the drama of the previous two years combined.

So, the moral of this story is that even though you are battling winds, weather, and broken boots, you at least don't have to worry about prehestoric reptiles or Rottweilers chasing after you. Polar bears are much more warm and fuzzy creatures, so I won't let you off the hook there either.

Godspeed, Ben, I am in utter admiration of your endeavour!

Your friend, the German watchmaker
Mike

PS: The whole team at the Kobold Watch Co. sends you their best wishes!

By Mike Kobold on Thursday, 25 March - 10:01 pm -0800

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# My admiration wanes somewhat

I have to doubt the people who concevied such an expedition in which only one pair of boots were included. Speaking as a retired a polymer chemist surely someone must have realised the behavious of the boot material in such sub-zero temperatures, where previously supple and pliable material become embrittled and lose plasticity? thus leading to premature failure especially as it appears the fracture is along the long of most flexing?

I still admire you Ben, but think that these actions, although admirable in the main, are a trifle ill- conceived. Good luck all the same and keep safe.

Nick (an old fogey, and probably jealous of youthful exuberance)

By Nick Hickson on Thursday, 25 March - 08:29 pm -0800

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# naughty boots

hello!
I hope you have recovered from your boot problem!
If you have not i believe that you can still carry on with your solo across the Artic. Hopefully your boots will not break anymore.

By Charlotte Williams 5ELB on Thursday, 25 March - 08:16 pm -0800

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# A challenging adventure!

There ya go Ben, good show for the day.
I guess the arctic is always going to be a problem, which is why it is a challenging adventure! I am glad you are waiting for the weather to become more visable!

My best wishes and prayers are to you.
Cissy,
Texas

By Cissy on Thursday, 25 March - 08:05 pm -0800

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# Tax payer relief

To James from Ottawa:
No taxpayer pays for NP rescues. To judge for Dominick Arduin’s search/rescue I can even double assure you that. Besides your fatalism is unjustified.….Enjoy doing your tax returns!

VB

By VB on Thursday, 25 March - 08:00 pm -0800

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# Hi BEN

Dear Ben,
This is a student at blackstone academy charter school in Pawtucket,RI an i am apart of the wilderness class. We go out hiking every friday an we learn about the wilderness. I think what you are doing is cool, but its not something i would ever do. i would like to know how you are surviving in that kind of weather and how you swim in water that cold?

Write Back ,
Derreck

By Derreck Martin on Thursday, 25 March - 07:30 pm -0800

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# Just keep going Ben !

Lucky you the wind was blowing east!!!!
Just dont give up.If you do I would not be very pleased with you ! Have a safe journey.
Eleanor Cclarke

By Eleanor Clarke on Thursday, 25 March - 07:28 pm -0800

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# wishes

what do you wish for the most during a white out? I also want to know what physical condition you need to be inorder to do this type of trip well its not realy a trip is it mor like a... Obstical that i think we all should come over.... well the best wishes from Blackstone accadame Charter School Pawtucket RI, 02861. Hopefuly you will make it home in one peice and well im hopeing to see you in the news here a sugestion y not continue down in to Quebec and than head down in to the us that whould be a grate astonisment to me at least hope to hear from you soon

By Ryan Patnaude on Thursday, 25 March - 07:24 pm -0800

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# good luck

hello
how are you? I hope your boots stay together and the wether stays good. good luck! enjoy your trip.

from India

By India /5ELB on Thursday, 25 March - 07:23 pm -0800

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# James - Ottawa, thanks for the support.......

Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.
John Quincy Adams (1767 - 1848)

By Ken Powell on Thursday, 25 March - 07:13 pm -0800

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# Numbers

This guy's numbers just don't add-up! For a start there is no way you can even reach the Pole if you ditch your second sled early your expedition - read about Borge Ousland the Norwegan polar legend (and my personal hero) and all the others who have attempted this feat. Look at the numbers: 70 days worth of food (which I assume is about how much he was able to get in the one sled) will get you 840 miles if you travel at 12 miles per day which is about as fast as any of the great explorers have achieved. This guy is doing a quarter of that - yeah I know he says he is going to get faster and true most solo travellers do go much faster later in their journey but that is mainly because they are able to ditch their second sled which our man here has already done. In fact he probaly has only 50 days worth of food left now which means he will need to average closer to 17 miles per day for the rest of the journey - likely. I don't have a problem with ambition and I am into challenges but I do resent the fact that when he runs out of food and lets face it he will, the Canadian taxpayer is going to have to foot the bill for his evacuation. There are to many people with to little experience heading north these days - it is not like we can say no to picking someone up when it is a matter of life and death. I doubt this guy has ever spared a thought for the Canadian servicemen who will have to put there lives at risk or the Canadian tax payers who will have to foot the bill in order for him to be evacuated - if he had he would have made sure he was better prepared.

By James - Ottawa on Thursday, 25 March - 07:00 pm -0800

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# An Inspiration

My 8-year old twins and I are tracking your daily progress. I want them to know what amazing things can be undertaken in this world BESIDES watching TV! As a native of Minnesota (and -40F), I can only magine what you are encountering.

By Pat O'Brien on Thursday, 25 March - 06:55 pm -0800

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# Kids today!

When I were a lad we wouldn't call it a whiteout until we had to tunnel through the snow from the living room to the kitchen........
As for boots, you lucky young bugger, we had to stamp on broken bottle ends until they stuck in. Lasted for weeks unless you ran up the road, smashed everywhere!
Missed Bruntingthorpe. They forecast wind and rain, could have handled one or the other, not both!
Derestrictor's tale is well worth waiting for.
Will have a guiness tonight, to your health.
Cold of course!
Superflid.

By Ken Powell on Thursday, 25 March - 06:49 pm -0800

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# Conditions

It sounds like the conditions you are enduring are pretty bad, I see you described the conditions on your attempt with Pen "some of the worst conditions on record" so if you think the conditons are worse now that is saying something.

By Brian on Thursday, 25 March - 06:33 pm -0800

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# Some Bottle

Its incredible how you find the courage and determination to keep going, you are an example to all us wussies who are here complaining of the cold.

By Ian Hillman on Thursday, 25 March - 05:00 pm -0800

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# BOB GEORGE EVERYBODY

I just got a phone call 8 mins ago, My grannie isn't dying like the nursing home said, we have found out from the hospital that she has bed sores, they haven't been feeding her during the day and they keep her sedated so then she doens't wake up to eat. SHE ALSO DOES NOT HAVE CANCER. Unblievable what ever do don't ever put anyone you love in a nursing home, because when you aren't there GOD ONLY knows what they do to them, and THEY WON'T tell you. Trust me, god TRUST ME. THANK YOU both and GOD THANK YOU.

By Christy on Thursday, 25 March - 04:59 pm -0800

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# Bob

Thank you too, I didn't forget you, I am just reading from the down side to the top. Aww you guys pulled on my heart strings. You know my grammie told me something a very long time ago, "life is a journey, you direct the path, when you reach the end, think about what you have accomplished at the end and you have become, and not the people you have met along the way. You know I know now, that those very people we meet along the way, sometimes mold our accomplishments in the end.

Again thank you and we are praying for you BEN OH BEN

By Christy on Thursday, 25 March - 04:36 pm -0800

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# Favourite expressions

Ben, We've been avidly reading your reports and it sounds like you're having one hell of a time. My favourite expression is: "When you're up to your arse in alligators forget about draining the swamp". Hope the boot's getting fixed. Robin and I are seeing Tony for a beer on Sunday so we'll have one for you!! All the best & Bon Voyage Roger

By Roger on Thursday, 25 March - 04:33 pm -0800

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# Thanks

Thanks George, grammie is going to be fine one day, but her time is limited as with us all, she was just given a short notice yesterday and it kinda threw me because I guess like most of us, I was kinda taking for granted that she'd be here a while longer. Really thank you. The one that needs the thanks is Ben, he takes our minds off of alot of things and he doesn't even know it. Again, thank you George.

By Christy on Thursday, 25 March - 04:32 pm -0800

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# With thanks to Bananarama

It's not what you do, its just how you do it.
It's not what you say, its just how you say it,
It's now what you do, its just how you do it,
And that's what gets results!

Regards

Neil

By Neil on Thursday, 25 March - 04:20 pm -0800

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# IMAGINATIVE ACHIEVEMENT

When my oldest boy was about 8......we use to get the globe and spin it....where ever we landed we had to figure a way to get there......never thought of skiing ......Congraduations on your achievement......looking forward to read about you entering Canada..... Enjoy your stay with us........

By Pamela on Thursday, 25 March - 03:01 pm -0800

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# Hang on in there

When I'm having a bad day, I stick on my favourite tv programme, eat my favourite food, go shopping, cuddle up to my boyfriend. .... I can't begin to imagine the bravery, inner strength and sheer deterimination you must need to keep going when the chips are down. Everyone is rooting for you. Keep strong and safe.

By Helen Snoad on Thursday, 25 March - 02:59 pm -0800

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# Nominate Ben for - "The Ultimate Dude Award"

Hi, Ben
Sounds like white out conditions, may work in your favor, with an extra day of preparation specifically on that irrascible boot, and a spot (if you can call it that) of relaxation. Too, I am still on the edge of my chair, waiting for tomorrow's outcome, especially on a double-day of work. Enjoy your mp3 music, catch a few good paragraphs, and a solid night of rest - all the best and cool beans till the next dispatch...
-Scot
San Luis Obispo, Ca.

By Scot Morrison on Thursday, 25 March - 02:56 pm -0800

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# Keep up the good work

Unbelievable thing your doing and make sure you hang on. Early nights do do wonders, so hope today (25th) must be better then yesterday. Good luck with the boots...

By Martijn Noordewier on Thursday, 25 March - 02:52 pm -0800

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# Staying put.

Glad to see you are not only crafty at figuring out repairs, etc., but you know when to stay put. Wise considering the circumstances. Couldn't help but feel for Christy and her Grammys illness. My thoughts are with her and her family as well as with you Ben. Regards.

By George Fudge on Thursday, 25 March - 02:46 pm -0800

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# Let it snow-

Hi Ben,

Well, maybe you could use a day to rest anyway. You sound more confident about the boot repair. I did some web research and now have a little better understanding of the magnitute of what you are trying to accomplish- and have already accomplished. So many forces working against you, yet you continue to make progress. Even on a day when you can't travel, you are making progress by making repairs. With your courage and fortitude, you are destined to succeed. Sending best thoughts for excellent conditions and cooperative equipment for the rest of your trip- Canada is your goal and I know that you will make it!

Christy- Sorry to hear about your mom.

By Bob on Thursday, 25 March - 02:42 pm -0800

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# You can do it!

Ben, When we had dinner before you left I marvelled at your single-minded focus on achieving your target. When things are getting hard your indomitable spirit will shine through. We are willing you on - I look forward to meeting with you at the end of the journey and you visiting our schools in Bradford and Walsall so that the children can see and hear first-hand the story of your incredible story. We can only imagine what it feels like - keep your chin up and good luck.

By Peter Holden on Thursday, 25 March - 02:28 pm -0800

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# You are a strong man and a HUGE inspiration...

Thanks so much for sending a "hello" out to us on March 22!!! I always wondered if you were reading our messages and I so hoped that you would feel support for your expedition. We are right here for you, Ben, always and I know we're all checking this site every single day. You are a strong, smart man and we all know you have what it takes to get this expedition accomplished. Don't ever give up...and I know you'll prevail with your boot situation. You're doing the right thing by staying put. It's not a race. Stay smart and continue to be positive. I'll be checking in again later! :-) -- Nikki

By Nikki on Thursday, 25 March - 01:57 pm -0800

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# Wow talk about being last to respond!

Well, never a dull day north! At least you are surprised from day to day! Don't let Dom get you down. IF (that word again) anything did happen to her, she was doing her dream. I hope one day when it's time I am living my dream when I decide to be called upon. What a shame really though, she survived cancer for this. Man everything has a reason, he was right!. My grammie is passing and it's down to days. Who really knows you know! I was regretful of a few things, but you know when aren't you really. I told her about you, and beings she is almost comatose at 82, she said "what in the He(double hockey sticks) (kids reading) is he doing? God help that poor child, oh his poor mother. I explained it to her a little more and she smiled. I think she understood. Wow you are living your dream, fixing your break ups, wiping those pretty eyes, making up new words, and jammin and piggin out at night alll by yourself, what solitude! Wish I knew what that was like. Peaceful! Ben I hope things turn around for you soon, April 5 is a full moon, Doesn't that affect your stats? Wind, water, ice flow? it's going to be 70 here in VA today. I'll be thinking about you. Sewing, I have somethings that need sewin, can I drop them by?

Christy

By Christy on Thursday, 25 March - 01:53 pm -0800

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# :-( Oh No!

'It never rains but it pours' sorry to hear about your boot problem Ben, the appeal has indeed gone out on PH but size 13 says his will be too big, and mine will certainly be too small ;-) , so sorry we can't help. Hopefully your ingenious repair will see you through, my fingers and toes are crossed.

I'm just seconding what other people have already said, how come you only took one pair of boots? I appreciate the weight problem, but surely the fact that they are so important would outweight that?...

Good Luck

By Lisa (Mrs fish) on Thursday, 25 March - 01:45 pm -0800

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# You will survive and do well!

I continue to be amazed at your creative solutions to problems. Keep at it. You will make it.

By Karen Tynes on Thursday, 25 March - 01:29 pm -0800

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# You've always got to look on the bright side of life

Hi there! It sounds as if things couldn't get any worse for you, but at least you know that the only way to go is up! Keep up the good effort - I'll keep my fingers crossed that your "Heath Robinson" boot repair is successful. All the Best, T

By Timothy Hilgenberg on Thursday, 25 March - 01:15 pm -0800

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# PH appeal

You'll be pleased to know that an appeal has just gone out on pistonheads for a boot! Keep up the good work mate, hope it's successful for you

By The DJ 27 on Thursday, 25 March - 01:09 pm -0800

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# And I thought my shoes were giving me trouble

Keep it up Ben. And thanks for the shoe/boot repair tips. Now where did I put that shotgun.

Your an inspiration and we all wish you good luck - keep your chin up

By Martin on Thursday, 25 March - 12:59 pm -0800

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# Whaz up!

Hello
hope your shoe will not get too wet. I hope the new reapirs will be up to your standards. If you know anything about Dominique let us know!
Have you seen anymore polar bears again?
Good luck

From the whole of 5ELB including Thomas Eckl!!

By 5ELB Danes Hill School on Thursday, 25 March - 12:35 pm -0800

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# My lessons

Everday in my lessons I keep thinking that you are walking while I am studying. I hope that the tape in your shoe will last. Hope you are feeling well.
From Celine from 5ELB

By 5ELB Danes Hill School on Thursday, 25 March - 12:28 pm -0800

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# Shoe!

I hope you manage to fix your shoe and I hope you are well.

By 5ELB Danes Hill School on Thursday, 25 March - 12:26 pm -0800

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# Save your boots!

I really hope that the other 2 explorers are found and return home safely and hope you get a southerly wind soon. Good Luck!

By 5ELB Danes Hill School on Thursday, 25 March - 12:25 pm -0800

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# Pressure ridges!

Good luck! I hope you fix your boot and I hope the pressure ridges aren't too high!

By 5ELB Danes Hill School on Thursday, 25 March - 12:22 pm -0800

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# My goodness

I am here! I checked your map and MY GOODNESS your little beacon sure has moved! Congrats.
Christy

By Christy on Thursday, 25 March - 12:15 pm -0800

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# Checking in

Hey chap, maybe a series of Ben's shoe repair stores are in the offing?

By simon on Thursday, 25 March - 10:38 am -0800

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# Quote for the Day for Ben

Hi Ben,

"The values of the Walt Disney company: The four C s: Curiosity, Confidence, Courage, Consistency, and the greatest of these is Confidence."

My quote for the day for you couldn't be more apt. You have immense courage. You have been consistent in your passion for Arctic exploration. You are one of the most confident (and probably slightly mad !!!) people I have ever met. You have a curiosity for life and adventure that many of us will never have.

Keep pushing on. You are inspiring people around the World.

Regards

Marc

By Marc @ Serco on Thursday, 25 March - 08:35 am -0800

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# BOOT SIZE ???

If anyone is flying overhead maybe they can get your coordinates & drop you a pair of boots! Make? Size?
Actually the manufacturer might be interested in doing this for you!
If the boots don't "fly in", you are encouraged to re-invent the next repair. (Hope it won't be needed, though.)
We wish you Godspeed and the will to make it as far as possible. Wherever that may be, you can be proud of your efforts .

By Betty in Spain on Thursday, 25 March - 07:41 am -0800

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# Boots

I might be old fashioned but why on earth have'nt you got a spare pair of one of your most valuable bits of kit ? Its like going for a drive without a spare tyre; who checked your equipment? Perhaps you had better let my master do it for you next time? Crazey and stupid !!

By Ebony on Thursday, 25 March - 06:59 am -0800

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# Boot Problems

I received a message from a buddy today with pictures of a submarine surfaced & Polar Bears looking it over. I guess the location was clasified as it showed it at 031000N-XXXXB-001 or some 280 miles from the Pole.
I got to thinking how wonderful it would be if one popped up near you & had a new pair of boots for you. I'd bet there is one near you & wonder if they are montering your progress.
Best of luck with the boot. 95 in Sin City today.
Bill

By Bill Caddoo on Thursday, 25 March - 06:28 am -0800

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# Boot on!

We are all hoping your boot repair holds up but it doesn't if it doesn't, please, Ben, do not risk injury! Ben. you may have to call for help but you are young and have the time to try it again. You may not have attained your goal but you have succeeded in the eyes of the world!

I am praying that the repair holds and that the ice conditions are in your favor so you can ski without worry and without tears.

We are with you 100% - no matter what!

Smile - we love you!

By Debi on Thursday, 25 March - 02:59 am -0800

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# Bugger!!!!!

Hi Ben, not good....your boots...note for next time two pairs of boots.....

Keepo being ingnious.....keep yomping and stop crying.Tears freeze...

serioulsy keep on...go Ben...do't ever give up...u CAN DO IT....

By jessica on Wednesday, 24 March - 10:52 pm -0800

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# Ben YOU ROCK!!

Bumming your 1st boot repair didn't work...But the second one WIL!!! I'm sure it's not too hard to get discouraged, but....Battle through it Due! Every day you've overcome challenges..some great & some small! But you've overcome them all! You are a champion of men! At this point you need to look to the longer days, better weather, and better ice! Give this repair job a go tomm....and see what a "Kick-Ass McGuyver" you are! We have faith in you & your inginuity! Until tomm, rest up & think positive! Sending more sun, and good vibes your way! Make tracks Ben! PEACEOUT! Tina..NH

By tina..NH on Wednesday, 24 March - 10:01 pm -0800

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# A LOSS FOR WORDS?

Wow Ben,
I'm at a loss for words (a rarity).

This is going to be a booger of a challenge Ben. Of course, nobody thought it would be easy.

SUGGESTIONS: The food packages that you have emptied, cleaned and pressed flat they might help insulate your makeshift boot?

Don't get the shoe too tight w/the tape, you might not know it, especially as cold as it is.

Well, hummmmm, if we all picture a pair of new boots for you, perhaps they will appear sometime soon!?!? Oh my. . . I do wish I could help!!!!

With your determination, igninuity, strength, love of adventure and our faith, prayers, strong-focused good-thoughts, YOU are BOUND to WIN OVER this difficulty.

"Our belief at the beginning of a doubtful undertaking is the one thing that insures the successful outcome of our venture." By William James

Cissy,
Texas

By Cissy on Wednesday, 24 March - 09:36 pm -0800

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# Hang in there!

What a disappointment about your boot! I hope that the latest repair works for you this time. You are so courageous and ingenious to keep devising ways to keep going in the face of adversity. What an inspiration! We are behind you all the way -- keep the faith!

By cateye on Wednesday, 24 March - 09:31 pm -0800

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# Serco Project Team Commitment

Ben

in our eyes and thoughts you are already successful. Your tears and hard work just reinforce how right we were to support your adventure. Every day more and more people are getting behind you in Serco and are willing you to succeed. If we could we would will your boots to be fixed, but who needs that with your guts and courage.

My quote for the day is: "Success is not measured purely by what you accomplish, but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds."

Regards

Marc

By Marc @ Serco on Wednesday, 24 March - 09:14 pm -0800

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# keep your spirit up!

I can remember a time when my car suddenly stopped in a very deserted area. I thought all was lost. Somehow I concluded the carbueretor was the problem and proceeded to take it a part on the side of the road. Put it back together and it begon to function sufficiently to allow me to proceed to my destination. I had never before seen the inside of this magical box on the top of the engine but I learned an important lesson and approached each challenge in life after that with a new confidence. The experiences we have combined with the determination to succeed lead to surprising outcomes. Your determination is serving you well so far and you are getting surprising results. The results stand as examples of the sense of self heroism that is needed in our youth! You have our support and prayers for continued success, even over boots, frozen batteries and unending ice ridges! I wish I could bring you a new pair of boots but.......

By David Whiting on Wednesday, 24 March - 08:39 pm -0800

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# alain and martial!

We know you're supposed to be unsupported, but maybe Alain and Martial could go on an Arctic sight seeing tour and drop something out of the helicopter -
an expensive pair of boots!
Good luck for tomorrow and the next 60+ days!

By Thomas and Alexnder E on Wednesday, 24 March - 06:51 pm -0800

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# Tough Day

How obviously frustrating the day, and the boot problem, was for you, Ben. Probably the crying was a good stress reliever. It works for me, anyhow. Cleared your head so you could come up with your latest ingenious idea. I found an article in which you wrote the following: "The first two weeks will be the worst by far because the climate will be the coldest and the sun is low, with little daylight. It is easy to get psyched out then because my daily distances will be tiny." Just a friendly reminder that you're getting to the point where your daily trek should begin getting longer.

You're doing great, Ben. My best wishes and encouraging thoughts are sending you strength throughout the day.

Press on!

By Gwen on Wednesday, 24 March - 06:42 pm -0800

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# I have no idea

i have no idea where you are, but I am amazed by what you are doing, it is so amazing just to think about it. I bet you are freezing up there, but here in Manila, we are exhausted of the heat because summer is so hot here. I wonder if that is a comforting thought, you up there "solo" in a cool place, and millions of us here, sweating because of the heat. Take care and I'll pray for your safe and successful exploration, Cheers!

By DJ on Wednesday, 24 March - 06:38 pm -0800

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# Your Ingenuity is Amazing!

Here I am, sitting at my computer in Medina, Ohio.....almost unable to comprehend that a "kid" just 7 years younger than my own son is treking across the Arctic alone at this very moment. As a mother, I'm almost sorry I latched onto this site from Kim Komando, because now I have to worry about you every day until I read your next posting. Do take care of yourself, Ben! All of us mothers are pulling for you.....and we're awfully proud of your ingenuity and resourcefulness!

By Joellyn Leget on Wednesday, 24 March - 06:20 pm -0800

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# keep your chin up

Ben

Hang in there buddy. I have something for you to look forward to. Yesterday in WIsconsin it hit +48F. The warm air has no where to go but North baby. I hope you packed a pair of shorts, your going to need them when YOU complete your journey in Canada.
I don't know if you've seen "FInding Nemo" but the kids want me to tell you--"Just keep skiing, Just keep skiiing.

God Bless
Rodney Anders WI, USA

p.s. its OK to cry, I do every time I look at my 401K

By Rodney Anders on Wednesday, 24 March - 06:01 pm -0800

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# BEN oh Ben

Well I have received some terrible news regarding my grammy's health today, she's terminal so I dont' think I will be ableto check your status today or tomorrow. I wish you well, and I am sure you'll have some great/smiley news for us all tomorrow. Keep on trekking.
christy

By Christy on Wednesday, 24 March - 05:25 pm -0800

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# Ms.Linehans class

He was dropped at 81'49 degrees and his trek should take him to Ward Hunt in Canada with a straight line through the Geographic Norh Pole. I hope this helps, if you go to www.thepoles.com click on expedition tracker, they left from Cape A ? in Russia. Good luck.

By Christy on Wednesday, 24 March - 05:24 pm -0800

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# Boot the boots!

Sounds like your gun-strap repair will do the trick. Maybe when you're in Canada, you can give your boots the boot!! Steady as she goes, mate.

By George Fudge on Wednesday, 24 March - 05:14 pm -0800

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# Broken Boots

I hope your boot dosent break again tommoro!!!!!
The stuff you used might work you no.Lucky you brougt them ! I am in Tiger class.
Hope you have a safe journey.
Eleanor Clarke (age 7)

By Eleanor Clarke on Wednesday, 24 March - 04:58 pm -0800

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# Wow.

Constantly blown away by your ingenuity and perseverance. I pray you are safe and sound and that your boot holds. Well both of them actually. yes, I'll pray for both of your boots.

By brian on Wednesday, 24 March - 04:43 pm -0800

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# Not Without Soul

Hi, Ben
You did not get this far, without extraordinary personal resources, iron character, and remarkable determination. Sounds like either canvass, or leather strapping from your firearm strap, would additionally support with appropriate rigidity, your solution. Your adventure, now has me on the edge of my seat, cheering on your ad hoc engineering and retro-fitting of the boot, till the next dispatch. You can do it!
-Scot
San Luis Obispo, Ca.

By Scot Morrison on Wednesday, 24 March - 04:27 pm -0800

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# You've done brilliantly!

We think you've done brilliantly, despite your boots and we are really excited to hear about your progress. Please let us know the name of the town in Russia that you departed from and the town in Canada that you are heading for. Keep going!
Yr 6 RML English

By Mrs Linehan's English class at Danes Hill School on Wednesday, 24 March - 04:18 pm -0800

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# DON'T GIVE UP!

That boot company should be buying you boots for life because you haven't mentioned their name. Lucky for them. Good luck with the mending job. I hope it holds up for you. You are not only an expeditioner, but a true repair man. I think about those mechanics that never repair anything these days, they have become replacement artists. (They make more money that way) YOU on the other hand.....are enterprising enough to repair something. God bless you & I'm still praying for you. DON'T GIVE UP, BEN! BE STRONG!

By David Harder on Wednesday, 24 March - 04:10 pm -0800

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# FINGERS CROSSED

What bad luck Ben!
thepoles.com website tells us that you are not alone in having problem with boots, given the harsh conditions they (and you) have to endure. 'In May of 2002 Tom Sjogren encountered a similar problem, as also did Borge Ousland when he traversed the Antarctic in 1995. Tom used super glue to fix a small crack resulting in no more problems. Borge used nylon rope secured through holes he drilled into the boot. '
We all fervently hope that your novel method of repair will do the trick and that you will be heartened by all the support you have engendered throughout the world.

By Helen Haile on Wednesday, 24 March - 04:09 pm -0800

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# Boot Band Aids

Hi Ben,

Sorry to hear about the boot. I hope the latest repair attempt is successful and hold's up for the remainder of your journey. Must be tough to have to keep having to overcome these obstacles. But, once again, you have managed to pick yourself up and improvise a potential solution. All these problems just amplify to us how difficult your expedition is. A lesser man would have packed up and quit. You have done so much training and preparation for this, it would be a shame to see your efforts cut short because of a faulty boot. We are all praying that your luck improves.

By Bob on Wednesday, 24 March - 03:24 pm -0800

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# Wipe that eye...

Don't cry, you almost had me tearing up for you, it's not over Ben, don't think like that. Keep that though out of your mind. You can do this. There are alot of supplies you have to keep that boot working well. Can't say much that company on that defective boot. If it can't hold up in the North Pole, (actual testing) than I wouldn't want to buy it. Ben please don't cry, if you do heavens at least prepare us for that moment. NO man should have to cry.

ON a lighter note, IF (that's a big word) the expedition should be over, than you'll have to attempt it again. You gain perfection from practice. You have already made the FACT book here in the STATES as far as I am concerned. You had a dream, an ambition and you went after it. How many of us can really say we have done that? NOT many if they tell you YES than they should really take a look at themselves. You are following yours through. You have a lot of supporters even IF(big word again) you don't complete this, WE ARE STILL supporting you. IF you are close to WAVE you can borrow something from him, he's very close to you. In degrees anyway!

Sincerely,
(wiping your eyes)
Christy

By Christy on Wednesday, 24 March - 03:17 pm -0800

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# Boots!

Hope you have a safe journey in the boots you fixed. We hope they don't break again today.
Good Luck

By Tiger Class on Wednesday, 24 March - 03:10 pm -0800