Visitor Comments

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# PULL DOWN YER BEARD!!!!

DEAR BEN, YOU MUST HAVE A VERY, VERY,VERY,VERY LONG BEARD! IT WILL TAKE YOU FOREVER TO SHAVE! SO MAKE SURE YOU GET RID OF IT!!!!!!!!!

By Larissa Currie on Tuesday, 18 May - 07:36 pm -0700

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# BATH PLEASE!!!!

YOU NEED A BATH, I CAN SMELL YOU FROM HERE!!!!!!!

By Larissa Currie on Tuesday, 18 May - 07:32 pm -0700

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# Nearly There!!!!!!!!

Dear Ben,
You are doing realy well so far. We realy hope you make it so we might be able to meet you in our school. It must be realy cold out there for all of that time, we realy wouldn't like to be you. You must be exausted with pulling along that BIG rubber dingy with the Marks and Spencers bag in it and by our Mums shop there! We need to go now so we'll write to you tomorrow. BYE!!!!

By Joslyn and Hannah on Tuesday, 18 May - 06:37 pm -0700

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# One more time!

My apologies for so many entries, but I'm still catching up on the expedition!

Ben, yes...you are right...who needs reality TV when we have all the suspense, drama, humor and action right here? ;-)

By Nikki on Tuesday, 18 May - 01:48 pm -0700

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# To Jonathan and Helen Haile...

Thanks for your "hello" posted earlier on this dispatch! I feel that I've made some friends on this trip and it simply will not be the same...until the next Ben Saunders challenge! It was great to see all the "regulars" on a daily basis! Your son has obviously been working hard on this expedition and the team has been very successful. I hope the team comes together on the next challenge. With Ben's incredible endurance, and the support of his family and friends, as well as his team's family and friends, I see extraordinary accomplishments. All involved have managed to keep him on the ice for 71 days...healthy, happy and safe! Congratulations to you as well!

Nikki

By Nikki on Tuesday, 18 May - 01:42 pm -0700

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# Hiya Ben!

I haven't been able to get computer access in a few days...out of town on business. Anyhoo, I'm happy, in a way, that I find I didn't miss too many dispatches, however, I have mixed emotions. Logging on this morning, I see "Terra Firma" and actually shed a tear of happiness that you're back safe, but also feeling like it's the day after the prom! That this particular journey is over for all of us leaves me with an empty spot.

It's been so incredible to join you everyday on your expedition, as I've said before, there are NO words that can explain or decribe how this has touched my life, and the lives of many others. I will certainly miss logging in every day around noon ET to find out the latest on how you're doing! I will continue to do so until you are back at home and decide that this expedition is completely concluded and there will be no further updates.

I send you hearty congratulations on your incredible adventure, Ben! You've accomplished something unbelievable and to spend that kind of time on the ice of the Arctic is...well, I can't find the words. Many congratulations and best wishes on your next adventure...will we be hearing about that? What's next? :-D You've inspired me in ways I thought not possible...I feel something inside me has come alive in the last 71 days and it will not be ignored...thanks to you and your team!

Now, how about that book/speaking tour? :-D I'll be checking in everyday...

Peace, Love, Happiness -- Nikki

By Nikki on Tuesday, 18 May - 01:22 pm -0700

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# GOOD LUCK BEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have you got a rifle ? And have you got frost biteon your fingers. Have you had an encounter with a poler bear.

By Daniel Grace on Tuesday, 18 May - 12:09 pm -0700

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# Have you got a frostbite on your fingers

Have you got a stiff neck from swimming across the sea have you fighted any polabears you are class. from thomas fernyhough

By Thomas Fernyhough on Tuesday, 18 May - 12:07 pm -0700

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# good look Ben!!!!!!!!!!!

You are so cool for walking from Russia to Canada.
I think you are the best person in the world for walking that far.
Your equipment is the best stuff ever.
What are the bears like?
How do you feel being alone for 10 weeks?
good look.

By Sam Gregory on Tuesday, 18 May - 12:05 pm -0700

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# YOU are WICKED

You are ace . I hope you' ve got a pic of a polar bear . If i was on my own i would have an imaginary friend and he would be called Fred. See you later mate.

By LEANNE DUNN on Tuesday, 18 May - 12:05 pm -0700

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# Ben be safe.

Are you missing your mom and dad? And i hope you are warm.
Cant wait till you come and visit our school

Keep safe and warm
By Amy Blakemore

By Amy Blakemore on Tuesday, 18 May - 11:26 am -0700

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# good luck Ben your cool!

Ban did you get hurt when the bear attack you any way I wish you good luck is it cold out there? good luck!!!!!

By Daniel ogara on Tuesday, 18 May - 11:26 am -0700

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# Good luck BEN

Goodluck on your journeyI

By Stacey Dennis on Tuesday, 18 May - 11:25 am -0700

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# Good luck

I hope you are not hurt and you are healthy.I can not wait for you to come to our school to talk to me and the rest of the class

By Glyn davies on Tuesday, 18 May - 11:24 am -0700

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# Records

aren't north pole records irrelevant anyway if they don't begin on land?

By Dave on Tuesday, 18 May - 09:53 am -0700

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# Youngest person to North Pole is Swedish!

Dear Ben

First, well done on reaching the North Pole. I have only just red about your trip and it sounds like you had a bad year for the ice.

I have a friend who is living in Canada right now who told me about your amazing trip. He says you are all over the newspapers in Canada! He asked me to check something out because the papers said you were the youngest to the Pole. I am really sorry to bring you some bad news but there are 2 guys from Sweden who got to the Pole who are a few months younger than you. We Swedes are very pround of our polar sons! Henrik Rünell Magnus Persson reached the Pole from the island of Ward Hunt in 2000 not long after they turned 26 and I see you will shortly be 27. Hey, look on the bright side - you are the third youngest!

My friend emailed me your press release which says "Saunders set out from Cape Artichevsky". Maybe they made a mistake but I thought you started from about 35 miles in the Ocean? It also says you set out with "a sledge weight of 392 pounds". I red on your website that you had to throw most of your weight in the sea after 1 or 2 days because it was too heavy. My Gran live by the sea so I hope I don't find your old sledge washing up on the beach!

Well done on your expedition
Rune Andersson
Malmo, Sweden

By R Andersson on Tuesday, 18 May - 08:22 am -0700

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# Bin and gone

Guess what?
Our man has made it into the pages of Aljazeera. Always a place for a topical story!
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/87F5DB0E-7B11-43C0-BE0F-E41D0A3AA64B.htm
Which makes me wonder...was that Bin Laden I saw poking his head up behind a snow mound in the background of that air guitar photo?

By sharky on Tuesday, 18 May - 08:07 am -0700

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# My Email Address

You said my email address would not appear anywhere on this page and there it is above this message.

By Shine Domingue on Tuesday, 18 May - 04:47 am -0700

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# Thank You

Ben, Thank you for letting us all have a peek at what life is like for an adventurer such as yourself. I have very much enjoyed keeping track of your progress, and was continually impressed with your ability to keep your sense of humour while everything around you was going to the dogs. I wish I had half the determination and mental strength you have. Congratulations on a successful expedition.

Brian, Nova Scotia, Canada.

By BBain on Tuesday, 18 May - 04:13 am -0700

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# Attn: Ben

The hotel called about billing:

It seems you took a nap prior to bathing. They had to throw out the sheets, blankets, pillows, and mattress. They also had to resurface the tub. They couldn't get the ring out.

OHHHHH and don't get me started on your nappy's and socks. Horrid, I was assured.

So now that we know you've slept, bathed, and changed your nappy,... how about letting us know you're ok.

DB ;)

By Paul Christian on Tuesday, 18 May - 02:06 am -0700

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# THE ICE MAN COMETH!

I have been following your adventure since the beginning, having been turned on to your web site by Kim Komando. I was tempted several times to write, but I could never come up with original words. Suffice to say you are a very inspirational individual, and I am going to go into withdrawals now that my daily updates on "Arctic Ben's Great Adventure" will no longer be forthcoming. Congratulaions on you enormous mental and physical acheivement, and on spreading a bit of your steel character to all of us who have been tuning in to your daily progress. Hopefully some of it will stick with me and the rest of your many fans here. Humbly yours...

By Tyler Colwell on Tuesday, 18 May - 02:04 am -0700

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# Helen

In answer to your question about withdrawal....yes! I miss Ben's wonderful, eloquent, hearfelt dispatches! I'm sure he's enjoying his return to "normal" life thought, and I'm happy for him for that.

Thanks for the URL. Did you notice they mentioned "Dave" Widmar in it? Funny....

Take care.

By Gwen on Tuesday, 18 May - 12:39 am -0700

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# GET A BATH!

One man. Too much snow! Dear Ben, you are probably geeting so fed up with my messages you will probaly cant stand to turn on your computer, for if ypou did my name would always be there! I have been ;loging on for lots of days and i hope i am not being offensive when i say, GET A BATH I CAN SMELL YOU FROM HERE!

FROM LARISSA CURRIE, WISHAW, SCOTLAND

By Larissa Currie on Monday, 17 May - 10:17 pm -0700

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# Ben the Ben!

You are fantastic, lets do a dance to spread your jolly news! The icy cold was taking over but you seem to fight it off!
Larissa Currie ps: there is a girl on this website with the same name as me, weird!

By Larissa Currie on Monday, 17 May - 10:14 pm -0700

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# Dispatch withdrawal symptoms...

Anyone else suffering?
Thanks Gwen! To while away the time, apart from the Ottawa Citizen article referred to by pj below (nice pic of Ben on the front page) and the google ones there is another report on http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2004/15/c3809.html?view=print
(P.S.Tony phoned tonight from Ottawa and all is well but it has been hectic with the media interest).

By Jonathan and Helen Haile on Monday, 17 May - 09:59 pm -0700

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# More News

Thanks for the URL JP. Also, everyone, if you do a search at google.com for Ben Saunders Arctic, you'll find more news about Ben. Don't want to do just Ben Saunders, because there's another Ben Saunders who plays sports.

By Gwen on Monday, 17 May - 05:54 pm -0700

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# you are brave

you are very brave to travel all that way by yourself.if i had to travel like you i wouldnt survive a day.good luck and do your best!l

By Larissa Birch on Monday, 17 May - 03:06 pm -0700

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# cold

The temprrture must be very cold you are very brave to do that. From Brett

By Brett on Monday, 17 May - 03:05 pm -0700

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# you are cool and brave

I think you are very brave to travel that far i bet it is going to be very cold i wouldnt do it aNY WAY

By jordan millership on Monday, 17 May - 03:05 pm -0700

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# Ottawa article

Thanks pj for the update!

By Helen Haile on Monday, 17 May - 02:53 pm -0700

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# Ben!!!!!!

Ben I think your mad but you've got a LOT of courage
I bet it's hard out there and good luck with the rest of the journey. Will you be doing something like this after ?

By chanice cartnerl on Monday, 17 May - 02:51 pm -0700

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# Hello!!!!!

You are very brave doing this, in the cold artic weather,
on your travells did you see any wild animals and how did you escape them?
I think you are mad because not many people will suvive the cold you are suffering.
good luck!!!!!!!!!!!

By jordan millership on Monday, 17 May - 02:50 pm -0700

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# U R MAD

I think you're very brave and a bit mad. Have you always wanted to do something like this? Anyway, will you also be doing something like this again?

GOOD LUCK!!!!!

By Larissa Birch on Monday, 17 May - 02:50 pm -0700

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# you are cool

You are very brave to do this.Do you like the costumes you have to wear on your journey.When your are on your journey have you had any problems with wildlife.do your best

By Haydn kimberley on Monday, 17 May - 02:48 pm -0700

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# Thank whatever higher power there might be...

my thoughts and prayers were much with you that last day. Along with another fighting for her life in an Atlanta hospital. Both of you are breathing today...I am thankful.

I cannot say how much I appreciate you sharing this endeavor with all of us. I, too, checked in several times a day. Your dispatches have brought the Artic to this arm chair explorer. I hope you will publish your pictures and dispatches soon. Put me down on the list of buyers!

By Karen Tynes on Monday, 17 May - 02:27 pm -0700

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# Article in the Newspaper in Ottawa, Canada

Hi Everybody
I have been following this expedition since the beginning (and I have to tell you I have enjoyed it very much) Since I live in Ottawa, and that is where Ben is so supposed to be headed to, I came across an article in one of the newspapers with the latest on whats happening. There has been no update from Ben so far, so I'll post the link on here so everyone can read it.

http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/index.html

Cheers
PJ

By PJ on Monday, 17 May - 02:16 pm -0700

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# Lecture star

Hi ben, I was so chuffed that you made it to the pole on tuesday that I bumped you in to the beginning of my lecture to the RAF on PSOs - The link may have been tenuous but I was still buzzing from finding out the news.
Cheers as ever.

By simon on Monday, 17 May - 12:19 pm -0700

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# Well done.

Good on you. Once again you can be proud of your acheivements. I'm sure that you must be looking forward to a bit of time to relax now that you are back on solid ground. I must admit I think I would have been very gittery waiting to be piceked up. Its great that you are back safe and sound.

By Nigel W on Monday, 17 May - 09:24 am -0700

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# Nice One

Well done on a magnificent achievement from all at Donny nick

By Ian Hillman on Monday, 17 May - 08:13 am -0700

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# Awesome

Ben,
just wanted to add my two cents ok ok well i am standing and clapping my hands. I have been watching this expedition for some weeks.Each evening I looked forward to reading your dispatches. Its all in what gets us through the day. :) Amazing stuff
Thanks for Sharing it with us!
Heather

By Heather on Monday, 17 May - 03:57 am -0700

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# 'CONGRATULATIONS'

Hi Ben I am Looking forward to celebrating your magnificent achievement with a well deserved bottle of bubbles.
Weather report looks good for your arrival at Heathrow.
warm and sunny hugs to you Valeria and Tony and not forgetting your very proud Mum Brenda and all your family and friends around the world.
Last but not least Serco for their support and faith in you.
Looking forward to reading all your adventures again when you have time to write the book shouldn't take to long after all it is all there in your dispatches.
Babs XXXX

By Babs Powell on Monday, 17 May - 03:29 am -0700

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# Ottawa.

.Hi Ben Hope the tulips are in bloom in Ottawa ,really something to see there.I am happy everything went so well for you .It has been a blast following you ,Just let us know what you are going to do next and we will be there in spirit .God Bless .Gloria.

By Gloria on Monday, 17 May - 12:58 am -0700

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# Where's our boy?

Where oh where could he be? Maybe taking a hot bath? Or, washing his underwear? Sleeping? Eating? Whatever he's doing, I'll bet he's enjoying it!

Thank you, Jonathan and Helen Haile, and Sharky, for your kind words. I've enjoyed this "home" so much, and everyone's posts since the beginning. I won't say goodbye or farewell though because I'm sure we'll meet again when Ben decides to come up for air. :)

By Gwen on Sunday, 16 May - 10:13 pm -0700

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# Hello!

Hi ben,
well done for spending tons of days out in the snow!
Larissa Currie and Dianne Currie

By Larissa Currie on Sunday, 16 May - 09:16 pm -0700

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# Celabrate good times!

Dear Ben,
you must be thrilled that you have acheived so much that only other people could dream about. I would like to meet you in person, but when you can see them or meet them, you can always not help but use the web. At widshaw Academy primary school, you have been the main subject. You might be getting fed up with the primary sixes e-mailing you so much! I am in p6 too and find it amazing how you can carry twice your weight! I was picked to talk to this guy you know and how it all works, and our school are entering a compitition to meet you in person, so if you are reading this e-mail, ask for a girl called Larissa Currie!

By Larissa Currie on Sunday, 16 May - 09:14 pm -0700

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# SHARKY and everybody else

How could we forget your wonderful story about the SERCO streetsweeper - apparently it made Ben chuckle too! See you in Portsmouth for the start of the next Global Challenge round the world yacht race perhaps - fond memories! Greetings to Gwen, Nikki, Cissy (of the pans), Scot, Heather, Debi, Alexander and Thomas, to name just a few - it has been great reading all your letters and we hope to join up with you again with Ben's next challenge.

By Jonathan and Helen Haile on Sunday, 16 May - 08:54 pm -0700

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# What's Next?

So,
take a week, relax...
then where are we going?
Come on, there is no way you're going to be able to sink into the couch and watch MTV after this.
I know that you're already making plans.
Please share them with us!

Hmmmm, now what am I going to do with myself?
Maybe I should go find another cat to bathe.
Tricia

By Tricia on Sunday, 16 May - 07:27 pm -0700

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# farewell

Well, my temporary internet family, Farewell. No doubt we'll meet again when adventure draws us round the net like a warm fire in winter. Cissy from Texas, Gwen, The Danes Hill gang, Mrs fish, fudge et al, I've enjoyed your messages one and all. What a team of supporters we have been hey! Take care and be bold.
And Ben. The big Daddy of em all. Thanks. Well done and roll on the next challenge.
It's been a ride and a half!

By sharky on Sunday, 16 May - 06:01 pm -0700

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# Cool!

wow..way cool....you are one brave man...way to go...

By Audrey on Sunday, 16 May - 04:57 pm -0700

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# Smooth Going Ben!

Now, Ben, Make sure you keep us all posted -- We will certainly be your number one fan club on any future adventures! Enjoy your fame! I expect to see a book or hard Interview coming out of this experience of yours.

Sincerely, and with all my heart for your future happiness!
Cissy,
Texas

By Cissy on Sunday, 16 May - 01:12 pm -0700

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# Ahh

I see... that sucks. It was good while it lasted!

By myke on Sunday, 16 May - 09:24 am -0700

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# Safe journey

Have a lovely few days meeting up with family, friends, sponsers, etc. Have a bath and a rest (in the dark) will you miss the sun?

To Myke - global warming is the issue, the ice is melting!!!!
God bless Ben
Jane, Glynn, Jim. Pete, Aunty Marion, Uncle John, Alan, etc, etc and not forgetting the Cubs, Scoputs and Beavers from Stockton-on-the Forest

By Jane Pike on Sunday, 16 May - 09:00 am -0700

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# Get a bath Ben...

..I can smell you from here!

Ken. (Superflid)

By Ken Powell on Sunday, 16 May - 08:19 am -0700

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# God Speed

Ben,

Welcome back to Terra-Firma. I'll definitely will miss your dispatches, but look forward to future expeditions. What's next? Maybe a dual polar quest. North and South Poles in the same year? Has anyone done that yet? If I ever get my legs back I'd certainly try with you.

You've been an inspiration,... I suspect to more people and in more ways than you know. Your actions and spirit transcend cultural differences and geographical barriers.

God Speed Ben, in everything you do.

DB

Special shout to Sari: Miss your emails :)

By Paul Christian on Sunday, 16 May - 07:54 am -0700

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# Glad to see that you're safe and sound

Good job all the way around, despite some unforgiving conditions, and good for clearing a good landing strip. Just wondering... how long will it take for you not to test surfaces before you walk on them? I hope you packed your air guitar in your carry-on. Hate to think of it being checked.

By Maria, KG4JBJ on Sunday, 16 May - 05:19 am -0700

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# WOW!

Am glad you made it! Thank you for the daily updates on your fantastic journey! They were terrific and I enjoyed reading (and imagining) each step you took along the way! Enjoy being back on Terra-Firma! Don't let all the hustle of the real world get you down! You are A-one in my book!

By Linda on Sunday, 16 May - 04:56 am -0700

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# That's A Smile for the Miles

Hi, Ben
What an excellent quest! You're one right on, dude.
Cheers,
-Scot

By Scot Morrison on Sunday, 16 May - 04:29 am -0700

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# What an experience! Congratulations Ben.

Glad to hear that you are safe and sound. I am going to miss your daily message as they were the highlight of my day.
I gather your route to Canada was stopped short due to the melting ice and not being able to be picked up. Thanks to Serco for sponsering your trip and to Kim Komando for letting us all know about it. Good luck in any future trips and I hope we get to follow them. Maybe you will write a book about your experiences. Cherrio Ben.

Joanne from Ontario

By Joanne Anderson on Sunday, 16 May - 03:35 am -0700

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# Bravo!

Ben! Welcome to North America and I'm so glad you're back safe and sound. I prayed for your safety and I'm just so glad you made it. I often talked about your experiences with friends and family. They would ask me "how's the arctic skier doing?" and I'd give them updates....

Stop by for a pint if you're ever in Southeast Alaska (in the next month) or Denver, Colorado (we're moving there in a month)

By brian on Sunday, 16 May - 03:20 am -0700

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# That's a beautiful smile!

Ben so glad to see all went well. Thanks so much to Serco and your team and especially to you for allowing us this fabulous adventure. Now what?

By Bonnie on Sunday, 16 May - 02:29 am -0700

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# Good Job Ben!

Welcome to North America and many thanks to you and Serco for a most interesting ten weeks.
Lots of Kim Komando listeners have been following your great adventure.
Now go enjoy your family and friends.

By Bob in Pittsburgh on Sunday, 16 May - 01:41 am -0700

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# Congratulations and Welcome...most of all - THANKS

Ben -
The past 71 days have been an amazing journey! Thank you so much for letting us share it with you. My 2 boys and I looked forward - every day - to your new dispatch. We discussed your adventure. At times - we were even scared along with you.
Congratulations once again.
Thank you and God Bless

By Jeff on Sunday, 16 May - 01:07 am -0700

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# Welcome Back Ben

Welcome back, you did a great job and alot of us were behind you all the way, enjoyed reading your letters everyday to see how you had done and it was really great that we could be able to wacth you daily progress. Good luck at anything else you acomplish and hope we get to share thaat ride with you to. Good luck and welcome back.

By Bruce D on Saturday, 15 May - 11:34 pm -0700

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# Welcome to Canada!

I've been watching your journey since the beginning. Congrats on making it to the pole. Enjoy your stay in our beautiful country.

jeff from halifax, NS.

By jeff white on Saturday, 15 May - 11:33 pm -0700

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# Bravo Zulu Ben!

Job well done. Enjoy your down time and have a cold one or two! The adventure was terrific, thanks for letting so many of us join you through this web site. Hopefully your next adventure will include a site such as this. Thanks to SERCO again, you guys are the best (aside from Ben that is, haha).

By George Fudge on Saturday, 15 May - 11:26 pm -0700

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# Terra Firma

Just thank your lucky starrs you have missed the Eurovision Song Contest, what a crock of shite :-)

Glad you are safe, pop by PH when you have a spare second and say Hi, there are a few threads running on your progress, but you will have to search for them. Valeria, you joined and then disappeared, where did you go?????

By Lisa (Mrs Fish) on Saturday, 15 May - 11:05 pm -0700

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# Great!

Thanks for letting us know you're okay! I'm so happy for you, and everyone involved, that you've come back to "earth." You look so happy in the photo too. I wonder what you're thinking about on your flight to Ottawa.

I've just spent the afternoon reading "Touching the Void." There are no words to express what happened to Simon and Joe, but for all of you who have enjoyed Ben's adventures, I highly recommend reading the book.

I look forward to hearing/reading more about what's next for you Ben. It's been a great ride so far!

Thanks to Serco and Tony for making all of this possible. You're all the best!

By Gwen on Saturday, 15 May - 10:37 pm -0700

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# WELCOME BACK!!!

Glad you made it to Terra Firma -
Are you going to have a bath before your next flight - they might not let you on otherwise!!!!!
We're going to miss the daily excitement of you r dispatches
Thomas and Alex, Danes Hill School

By THOMAS AND ALEXANDER ECKL on Saturday, 15 May - 09:43 pm -0700

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# Wait..

Wait a sec... why did he puss out? Did I miss something?

By Myke on Saturday, 15 May - 09:40 pm -0700

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# No excuses.

Wash your hair.

By John Newman on Saturday, 15 May - 09:39 pm -0700

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# YIPPEEE! BEN

Good for you, Ben!! So glad you got out safely. We hope to hear from you again very soon...have a good weekend enjoying your friends and family!!

Deb

By Deb on Saturday, 15 May - 09:21 pm -0700

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# Good for you, Ben!

I´m so glad to hear that your flight went well. You`re the greatest! Now just enjoy all the comfortabilities you`ve been without for so long. I hope we all can hear more from you in the future. You`ve created a bunch of serious dispatch addicts, you know ;)

Thank you again so much for sharing your unique experiences!!!

Sari from Finland

By Sari on Saturday, 15 May - 08:23 pm -0700