Visitor Comments

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# Hi Ben

Been keeping an eye on your progress but this is the first time I have commented on it. You are an absolute star, I am lost for words to describe how brave you are.

Keep going, dont let that boot get you down. You are an inspiration to us all and I was thinking of you when I was about to give up on my portfolio - (You may remember I posted on PH that I was miserable with the whole uni thing.) At 4:41am on the morning of the portfolio review I decided that you wouldnt have given up and I got back to work. Who am I to bring down the name of Ben (fabulous name by the way :-D) - as it turns out I now have a decent offer!!!

Thanks for your influence, keep smiling and make us all proud!!

Ben CA (Soon to be studying Automotive Design @ Coventry!!!)

By Ben CA (BCA on PH) on Monday, 29 March - 01:43 pm -0800

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# Keep Pushing

Hey Ben,
What a fantastic undertaking and daliy you are progressing victoriously well! One step at a time, "one swim at at time",one day at a time and you will accomplish that which you have set out to do! Keep pushing!

By Kevin Jerry - North America on Monday, 29 March - 01:33 pm -0800

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# Easy Fella

Had to pop in to see how you were going - I've still got my signed photo on the edge of my desk. Amazing experiences you seem to be having and are clearly enjoying yourself.

Keep your pecker up.

Si.

By Si Bertram on Monday, 29 March - 01:11 pm -0800

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# fingers crossed

Hi Ben, my thoughts are with you most days, I really hope you finish, but looking at how many nm you still have to do, and the trouble you are having with your boot, it's not looking good. I hope I'm wrong.

Keep up the good work and come back to PH safe :-)

By Lisa (Mrs fish) on Monday, 29 March - 12:49 pm -0800

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# Stay tough!

Ben:
While you were working hard to survive and to set the example for those who come after you, our little group went to the zoo and enjoyed a pleasant day (particularly before those hot sultry days begin).

You were in our conversation at least three separate times and all of this chatter you read now is just to let you know that no matter what is going on here, you are strong in our minds and hearts. and as always, our prayers.

Stay tough!
Cissy
Texas

By Cissy on Monday, 29 March - 04:05 am -0800

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# Sad Limerick

Was inspired (haha) by your "Broken Boot BLues".

There once was a man named Ben,
Who wished to visit a polar bears den.
Packed up his gear,
Got the heck outa' here,
and headed to North my friend.

Lame I know, but what the hay. Take care of those feet!

By George Fudge on Monday, 29 March - 02:11 am -0800

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# Excellent Work, Ben!

Keep it up!
I wonder what your hairdo looks like right now!? :D ;)

By Bodo, Frankfurt on Monday, 29 March - 01:50 am -0800

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# Our questions.

how cold is it there?
have you seen a polar bear?
do you get lonley?
have you seen a white arctic fox? if you can could you please send a photo of one?
How long were you in the artic?

By Lauriston school kids on Monday, 29 March - 01:03 am -0800

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# AWesome!!

Ben, you never cease to amaze me! That's incredible, all you have been through so far. Stay warm and dry. and keep the faith! God bless

By cateye =^@@^= on Sunday, 28 March - 11:07 pm -0800

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# Toe tappin, boot fixin, swimmin Ben, please wipe your eyes...

A blanket I would give, a warm fire I would have and warm cup of Lipton I would share, a few new words (curse) I would lend, a dry pair of socks I would give to you. I am beginning to worry for you, I wrote to a major boot repair company in hopes of some ideas we and the supporters have maybe not thought of, I am awaiting an answer. I wish I could help you, but I can't. I don't know you and yet I worry, worry not for your safety, because you are well taken care of and not by us. I worry not for your mental status, I worry for what you are going through. What havoric does this reap on the human mind? I can tell you this, you have a goal set to mind, and thus far you have accomplished it. If there has been no man to go as far as you, for you have reached your goal. When it's time to quit then you shall have to quit. You still have your whole (warm) life to do this again. I am praying that you complete you intended goal for I know I, and the others can say we were with you all the way, I am sure we would support you even when you try again, and even if you had to stop. You will be the topic of many converstations to come. "if he can go solo across the North Pole I can do this." Ya know? Ben for I know the days must seem endless the nights must go so fast, if only I could push you some of the way I would. My heart goes out to mom, dad and Valeria they undertaking a great stress on their hearts and a supportive mind, those are great people to stand behind you and not judge you for your dreams. You don't find many people like that nowadays.

If you could have one true wish, what would it be? Don't tell us, just keep it in mind and go for it. You have a gold determination and for that you could never loose. Keep in mind that you reach another step in your goal every NM, okay?! It's a shame you can't have a session on here to talk with us simultaneously. What an expierence, huh? Well don't want to take up too much room (Legend). :) Write more tomorrow! I see you were at 83 degrees! on your map.

Christy

By Christy on Sunday, 28 March - 09:33 pm -0800

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# You are AWESOME!!!

Hey Ben,
Reading your activities are truly inspirational. I read your stories over and over again, simply because it amazes me what a person can do if he / she puts his mind to it and puts all my worries into perspective :).
Good luck and I will continue to refer to this webpage like a bible.
Mel!

By Melle Patrick on Sunday, 28 March - 08:58 pm -0800

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# Open leads & the sledge

I've been fascinated and awed by your exploits since the start but I can't seem to recall, or find on looking back, how on earth you get the sledge across the open leads. Getting yourself across seems scary enough. Take care.

By Dave Wills on Sunday, 28 March - 08:32 pm -0800

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# Some people!

There you are, supposed to be walking, having a day off to go swimming. Next thing we'll see is Ben sat in a deckchair sunbathing.......
Managed a bit of an expedition on the water myself yesterday. Got on my dinghy in the River Dee near Chester. Went all the way from where it's tied up at one end, to the end of the other rope. Was just checking it was OK after last weeks storms, still there!
No reply yet from the BBC regarding the non-existence of the North Pole.
Will keep you up to date with other important news as it happens.
Ken. (Superflid)

By Ken Powell on Sunday, 28 March - 08:09 pm -0800

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# Keep at it!

Hi Ben,

You have more than 10% of your journey behind you! Yaaaay! We've got the Cherry Blossoms thing going on here in DC. You aughta choose them over ice and leads one of these years. Take care. My prayers are with all of you up there.

By Maria, KG4JBJ on Sunday, 28 March - 07:52 pm -0800

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# By the way...

...that's a HELLUVA lead you crossed!!! Looks more like a lake!!

By Nikki on Sunday, 28 March - 07:26 pm -0800

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# W -- O -- W

That's all I have to say today...this is an amazing dispatch. That's quite a day's work in the office today, Ben. I'm ecstatic to know you climbed in and out with no complications...I'm laughing like a maniac with you! I can understand the feeling you described...about getting away with such a thing. And POOP on that BOOT...hey, have you tried that? :-D Anyhoo...Nick's post below? He's absolutely right. If we all came from the same mould as you, the world WOULD be a better place...everyone would have ambition, drive, and be ALIVE! It would truly be exciting. Everyone of course brings their own gifts to the world and that's awesome in itself, but to add this perseverence and determination would be completely exciting! I wonder what discoveries we would all be making? I guess I had more to say than I expected! Press on, Ben...you're doing an incredible job! Rest up for a productive day tomorrow! -- Nikki

By Nikki on Sunday, 28 March - 07:23 pm -0800

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# Brrrrrrrrrrr

Must get one of those dry suits for my Dad - he is 79 and thinks he can still surf in Croyde Bay, Nth Devon in October just wearing his speedos and a t-shirt and wonders why he turns blue after 30 minutes.

Thanks for sharing your experiences Ben. Checking your blog is a daily requirment. Missing you on PH mate.

By Big_M on Sunday, 28 March - 06:57 pm -0800

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# go go go!

wooooooow! that's amazing. the scariest thing i ever did when swimming was doing it in a lake that was soo muddy and unclear and full of algae it was absolutely disgusting and frightful (thought all the way of monsters on the bottom trying to get my legs). But i managed to cross the said lake with my sister on a bet we took. when we were on the other side we had to go back swimming cause that was the shortest way to do it. so we did it again.(it was about 500m wide) when i think about it now i get the chills and still i feel the excitement that got me when finally reaching land. we were both exhausted and cold, but oddly happy that we did it.
i think what you did today was great. and i can understand partly what you went through. (only a small amount, since what you do is way beyond my comprehension :P ).
anyways. try to stay fit but not tired and try to keep that boot working and all those other precious things you have with you intact. i don't know if this really applies to the arctic, but when your tired and swimming with not too much ice around you try to stay on your back. it's way more relaxing that way.
i don't know what words of wisdom i could give you. i just hope you make it to canada safe. wishing you the best

rhea

By Rhea on Sunday, 28 March - 06:48 pm -0800

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# Darn typos

One of these time, I will post a message without any typos! :)

By Gwen on Sunday, 28 March - 06:45 pm -0800

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# Darn boot...

I can't imagine what swimming in Arctic water must be like. Your determination in overcoming your anxiety before you climbed in, and then LAUGHING once you're made it across is SO great!

I'm in suspense, wondering what the outcome of the faulty boot will be. I hope you are able to come up with one of your ingenious resolutions that will solve the ongoing boot problem. As if you don't have enough challenges with which to deal!

Press on, Ben. I know you will not give up. You have proven that admirable character trait so many times already; don't let a darn boot stop you!

By Gwen on Sunday, 28 March - 06:43 pm -0800

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# You really gotta pair!

If the good Lord ever brings you to Michigan, the beer is on me!!! I look for your notes everyday, and I can only imagine the excitement that you are bringing to the world. Take care of that foot.

By Tommy Baby, Michigan on Sunday, 28 March - 06:27 pm -0800

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# Fan Quotes for Ben

Hi, Ben
You are redefining the word, "extreme". I thought surfing (4 mm wetsuit) in 50 degree water is cold, going for a swim in the Arctic, stops me in my tracks. Great photograph of the suit, we have the comfort of a vehicle and towel, as a dressing room. How's it done in the Arctic? You are da' man!

“Keep up the good work Ben, we are all very proud of you here in Texas!”…Cissy
“You have courage plus.”…Rick
“Keep yomping those miles and attending to those boots…”…Jessie (Alfie age 9)
“You totally ROCK!!!!”…Paul
“The world needs more people like Ben; brave and determined.”…George

Best,
-Scot
San Luis Obispo, Ca.

By Scot Morrison on Sunday, 28 March - 04:26 pm -0800

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# Frank Zappa

Frank Zappa once sang in a song " Don't go where the huskies go, and don't you eat that yellow snow"..No huskies there but it could be polar bears! yah know what i mean..Anyway Ben, I myself have done bungie jumping and swam with sharks but what you are doing is way beyond my comprehension...Getting into a frozen ocean/pond/lake..(whatever it is you are getting into) is something i dont think I could do. Keep the chin up and keep cracking as they say..All the best ...Dave

By Dave on Sunday, 28 March - 03:56 pm -0800

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# Why oh why?

Why aren't more of us made in the same mould as Ben? If more of the human inhabitants of this planets were like him with his almost impossible endeavours then I'm sure the earth would be a better place in which to live, woudln't it?

Nick

By Nick Hickson on Sunday, 28 March - 02:57 pm -0800

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# Don't puncture the dry suit

now that really is extremely brave, jumping into black icy deep water, a thousand clicks from anywhere. Good luck!

By tim c on Sunday, 28 March - 02:57 pm -0800