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Dispatches: 'For pleasure' - Saturday, 8th May 2004

Day's Statistics

Expedition & Environmental Statistics:
Position:89.25.6N 90.41.9E (view route map)
Daily distance:12.1 nm
Total distance:456.5 nm
Distance to go:450.2 nm
Travelling time:10hrs
Temperature:-4°C
Conditions:whiteout with slight easterly; early pans followed by pack ice and rubble
view large image
view large image

As I was skiing along today, I thought back to late February when Bettina, Jean-Gabriel, Wave, Frederic and I were sat in a small hotel room in Khatanga, northern Siberia. We were talking about the motivation behind our individual expeditions (I always hate trying to answer the question 'why?') and I'll remember Frederic's answer for as long as I live: 'for pleasure'. It seemed preposterous, yet of course it's absolutely true. It's easy to forget when you're tired, hungry, homesick and fed up with another day slogging through a whiteout, but expedition life has a lot going for it.

I had a fantastic telephone conversation with Bettina and Jean-Gabriel last night (they reached the Pole a few days ago and are back home in Denmark now). Bettina said she was already missing 'the simple life' where all you have to worry about when you wake up is heading north. It was great to speak to people that had actually skied through the same ice and understood what I'm going through. I don't think words, photos or video could ever really convey how challenging things are this year.

They said that 89 was the easiest degree and sure enough, I had a few great pans (flat areas) this morning, although there's still a lot of open water around, and I spent ages stuck in one area that seemed to be a chain of floating, crumbling 'islands' of ice (see pic). Another day in the office...

Today's dedication is to Christian de Marliave. Merci, Criquet!

A big hi to Juliette Lloyd, Stuart McFarlane, Abigail Wright and Mark Harrop :)

Visitor Comments

# THE Good life

Like tom and barbara ;) Hi chap, been watching without speaking recently. Your progress is inspirational. Keep it up
Cheers

By simon on Sunday, 9 May - 12:44 pm -0700

# The simple life is best.

Great to see you are so nearly there. My class are following you most days - you have become part of the timetable at Danes Hill! We will be celebrating with you when you get to the Pole.
from class 3HHH at Danes Hill

By Helen Hereward on Sunday, 9 May - 09:53 am -0700

# Why?

If they have to ask they'll never understand.

Right, if you take off the heavy boots and put on the emergency Reeboks, you'll be able to run the last bit to the pole then have a day off to swim with the seals and sunbathe.

Wish I was there.....

Ken (Superflid)

By Ken Powell on Sunday, 9 May - 08:56 am -0700

# Ben - Unplugged

You could have entertained the seal with your air guitar skills. I hope the weather cools down for you up there. Never thought I'd be conveying a wish like that to somebody in the Arctic, but it would certainly make the leads and ice less hazardous! I kinda wish your daily stats included a distance to/from the NP. I look forward to when you get there. You are truly amazing. Hope you see that seal again.

By Maria, KG4JBJ on Sunday, 9 May - 05:15 am -0700

# Nearly there...........

Almost at the Pole! I wish I could be there to see your face when you experience the thrill you have been driving to - stepping foot (or ski) on the top of the world. Take time to savour the moment, such a special event in your young life.
Each of your daily dispatches has become an important part of my day. I can experience things I've never dreamed of doing through your words.
Again, Ben, God's speed to the pole in safety and on pans.
Your southwestern Ontario, Canadian fan,
Heather o t hill
-30-

By Heather on Sunday, 9 May - 01:32 am -0700

# HEY!!

Ben!!! You've traveled farther than what you have left!!!!!! Congrats!!

By Nikki on Saturday, 8 May - 11:39 pm -0700

# Green with envy...

...every day I read these dispatches! I'm hoping to train and for my first big expedition, I'd like to cross Greenland with a team of dogs. That's what I'm driven for right now. I'm still creating that plan. Wanna hear more sometime?
:-D

Anyhoo, you sound just as excited, strong and fresh as you did when you started out some 66 days ago! Dude, you just ROCK! Sometimes I don't know what else to say! What's the latest on the mp3 player? What's for dinner tomorrow? Inquiring minds want to know...

I look forward to checking in tomorrow. It seems like yesterday I started reading these dispatches. What the hell am I gonna do when you're off the ice? :-|

Golden slumber to you!

Nikki

p.s. Christy, I hope you see this. My prayers and thoughts are with you at the loss of your grannie. I know how hard that can be. I lost my gramps 5 years ago...he suffered terribly...he was my best friend. I understand how it is and I want you to know I'm really very sorry. You take care, ok?

By Nikki on Saturday, 8 May - 11:38 pm -0700

# Good day

You're so right; we who follow you could never know what it's really like to be in your boots, and I'll bet it was nice to speak with people who know totally what you're doing, and were able to give helpful information about the rest of your trek.

Hope you have a fantastic day tomorrow.

By Gwen on Saturday, 8 May - 10:47 pm -0700

# Over Half way there...

Been folowing with the rest of the PH crew , but haven't posted before. Congratulations, now you have less to go than you have been already. At this rate you will be back for Pistonfest. Keep going, it will soon be downhill all the way.

By Stewart Ferris (Bugmeister) on Saturday, 8 May - 09:44 pm -0700

# Pursue your dream

Ben
It sounds like there is so much "stuff" in life that doesn't really matter. Sharp focus and single-mindedness of purpose seems to keep life simple and gives great satisfaction. This solo expedition has been a gift for you to experience tremendous personal growth. This is a special time in your life and you are making the most of it. Thanks for sharing your gifts with the world.
I also noticed that today you made it past the halfway point on your journey. I hope you have an excellent day tomorrow.

Andy

By Andy Stokman on Saturday, 8 May - 07:54 pm -0700

# completed dreams

Dear Ben:
As you create your fulfilling and exciting life you encourge others to do the same.

We each have our own personal way of contacting that inner voice or that all-knowing-presence that will help give us that edge to success.

Strong faith and a determined vision will get you where you need to go, NO MATTER WHAT THE DIFFICULTIES.

Set your vision and remember your faith. . .you are where you need to be.

The best for tomorrow!
Cissy,
Texas

By Cissy on Saturday, 8 May - 06:21 pm -0700

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.

The last degree

The last degree - Thursday, 6th May 2004

There were moments earlier in the expedition when I thought getting this far would be impossible; when the Pole seemed a million miles away. Now it's less than sixty. Today I crossed the last parallel before the North Geographic Pole - 89 degrees ...read more

There's something wrong...

There's something wrong... - Friday, 7th May 2004

...with this picture. Is the answer: a) 'Good grief! It's so warm that Ben can ski along with no hat and no gloves.' b) 'Hahahahahaha... look at those tan lines!' c) 'Urgh! Look at that hair. I bet it hasn't been washed for at least, ooh, ...read more

'For pleasure'

'For pleasure' - Saturday, 8th May 2004

As I was skiing along today, I thought back to late February when Bettina, Jean-Gabriel, Wave, Frederic and I were sat in a small hotel room in Khatanga, northern Siberia. We were talking about the motivation behind our individual expeditions (I ...

Stop Press!!

Stop Press!! - Sunday, 9th May 2004

Exciting news from the high Arctic! I've just had to delete my entire dispatch (moaning about the weather) and start again. Why? Because ten minutes ago, the sun came out! Typically, it only happens after I've skied for ten hours through whiteout ...read more

A perfect day

A perfect day - Monday, 10th May 2004

First of all, it's Tony's birthday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Tony first emailed me, completely out of the blue, just over a year ago. At the time I mistakenly assumed he was a potential sponsor - when it turned out he didn't have any money we lost touch ...read more

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