Visitor Comments

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# Proud of my nephew

Ben, I am so proud of you as I monitor your progress.
What a terrific example you are to the younger generation.
Everyone should take note.

Take care.

Steve.

By Steve Fletcher on Wednesday, 7 April - 02:57 pm -0700

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# Hello from .R.O.B.

Hi Ben, what bad luck your getting . But if you make it you shall be accllamed for your incredible feat.So keep going, I shall monitor your progress as much as I can. So keep going and try not to break anything!

Keep going,
Rob

P.S you have all the support you need so keep going to the finish

By Brian,Susan,Robbie&Stevie on Tuesday, 6 April - 09:08 pm -0700

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# Where are you?

WORRIED, it's 2 hours when you usually post? Everything okay?
Christy

By Christy on Tuesday, 6 April - 04:19 pm -0700

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# I guess he is not "SOLO" as we are all going with him!!!!

Go for it Ben!

By Telma on Tuesday, 6 April - 04:06 pm -0700

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# Update of website

I could not imagine Ben worrying about updating his website right now!!!
Come on!!!

By Telma on Tuesday, 6 April - 03:48 pm -0700

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# Nothing wrong with re-supplies

There is nothing wrong with re-supplies, most polar travellers use them. I suppose a re-supply became inevitable when you ditched the second sled though I imagine that you tried to keep the dream alive by convincing yourself that you could still make it if you travelled fast enough - mother nature will never let you off that easily though.
I do think that you should update your website now that your plans have changed - for people who do not read your daily dispatches there is no way of knowing that you are no-longer going to do the crossing un-supported. I think that out of respect for Rune and Torry, the only two people to sucessfully cross the Arctic ocean un-supported, you should clarify the changed nature of you expedition.

By Jon on Tuesday, 6 April - 03:27 pm -0700

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# Not gutted at all !!

I couldn’t agree more. It is ultimately Mother Nature the one dictating our limits not men imposing on nature. Well, we have sadly seen the tragic outcomes of two expeditions this year and think that’s a clear example. I think Ben has shown he is both,intelligent and mature.

By Telma on Tuesday, 6 April - 11:33 am -0700

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# Mother Nature

Ben,
As Karen Tynes says wisdom is better than pride. That is what the world needs to become a better place to live in... Go for it! You show respect to life and nature. Every day I look at your site it makes me learn something possitive.
Nature has proved once more that man cannot decide where borders should be placed, as many times causes needless harm.


Dan

By Telma on Tuesday, 6 April - 10:25 am -0700

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# Brains and Brawn (sorry such a late post today, feeling ill with new meds)

Gutting it out does not mean you have to be stupid. You're the one on the ground (ice in this case) there. No one knows your situation, level of supplies, and mental/physical stamina better than you. You are in a position, like a soldier or cop, where you need to make critical and intelligent decisions. To do otherwise could cost a life,... yours.

I remember reading in a previous dispatch (One Day at a Tme - Saturday 13th March 2004) that you were forced to give up a sledge and it contained part of your loadout (I think you would call it your Kit) of food and fuel. You made that decision based on experience and available information. Don't second guess yourself. Don't allow anyone else to second guess you. (Ok, well the girlfriend is allowed,... just because she's the girlfriend ;) LOL and maybe Mom, but no one else.)

You made your decisions because you had too. So what if they have to chopper in some food and fuel, and new boots. It's better that, rather than carrying out a frozen Ben-sickle later.

Don't let yourself get down either. You've not diminished your status in my eyes. In fact it's gone up, as you've proven your intelligence. That's added to your guts and determination.

Gut it out with NO REGRETS,

DB

By Paul Christian on Tuesday, 6 April - 09:39 am -0700

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# Gutted

Dear Ben

I have been following your trip from the outset and have been mighty impressed for you having got this far. One day I hope to ski to the Pole from 89 degrees so I cannot imagine what it would be like to trek for 1200 miles!

You must be absolutely gutted that your dream of making the first unsupported crossing of the Arctic Ocean is now over and I feel for you. I guess this dream was over the day you took that helicopter over the open water and dumped one of your sledges.

But keep your pecker up! There is always next year. Maybe the experiences that you have had this time will improve your chances for another attempt. I really hope so. You will be better prepared, older, wiser and maybe that big lead off the Russian coast would have frozen by then.

Hang on in there. You are young (unlike me!) and will live to fight another day.

Yours admirably,
Sandra

By Sandra on Tuesday, 6 April - 08:03 am -0700

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# i'm 8 years old - my dad and i watch you every day

you're doing really good ben!!!! keep going.
don't be scared. please stay warm.
i think you'll make it.

By shayna glassberg on Tuesday, 6 April - 01:25 am -0700

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# Support from the Central Coast

Hi, Ben
For some reason, your expedition captivates my imagination, and continues to inspire many including myself. One night, I found myself late in the night thinking about your adventure, then checking your site. Somehow, for this moment in time, your expedition has woven itself into the fabric of my life. Sending right-on vibes up to the Arctic! Just motor on...
Best,
-Scot

By Scot Morrison on Tuesday, 6 April - 12:49 am -0700

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# re-supply = relief for all of us !!!

Ben -

I'll add "extremely intelligent" to my very long list of definitions of your characteristics!

Rest well tonight then, Ski on!

Respectfully,

Debi

By Debi on Monday, 5 April - 11:24 pm -0700

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# Wow, look at that beacon go!

You are doing so great, Ben! Too bad you didn't have the flat pans you were hoping there would be, but you're still making great progress. I do wonder how you "carefully" ski across just frozen leads..... THAT make me nervous, but I trust you know what you're doing. Another day done - press on tomorrow and stay safe!

By the way, it's "supposed" to be spring here in Connecticut, but it's cold (28 degrees) and very windy. Are you blowing some of that arctic air south??

By Gwen on Monday, 5 April - 10:25 pm -0700

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# still me...

i just checked the route map! WOW!!!!! you covered such a long distance while i was away *faints*

anyways... ben, you rock. resupply. it's a good and wise choice. it's a great one. we are all behind you and we'll be cheering till the end an beyond.
well, i guess you're special to us. :) Keep it up!

By Rhea on Monday, 5 April - 09:06 pm -0700

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# hey ya!

been away for some days and back totally exhausted. still not complaining. nothing i might have been through is even close to what you are. great to see your doing ok. great to see you like "lamb". gorecki is really a very nice song. pretty addictive i might add, but hey, that's another story. :P
Please try to stay healthy, not break any other equipment, even if you want to lash ot your anger upon, try doing it on the ice or the air, it's safer. :) try not loosing anything. I lost my glasses today and i'm typing like an idiot trying to figure out what i'm hitting on the keyboard. bah...
Question: do you dreamat night? do you dream of snow and ice? of beaches? of warmth? of anything else? or are you just exhausted and cannot remember a thing? Just curious...

wishing you luck and sending good karma thru (hopefully it helps :)) so you can get to the north pole as fast as you want. hey, even faster :)

By Rhea on Monday, 5 April - 08:58 pm -0700

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# Heeeeeyyyyy yaaaaaaaa...

Hiya Ben! You're doing a beautiful job, my friend...making some really good tracks now...seems like a fine day at the office. I think it's great you're planning a re-supply. I know you're expedition was to be unsupported, but you'll learn alot this time and if you are so driven, take that knowledge and apply it next time. I hope...I really hope...that you are not disappointed about that. This expedition is not to be taken lightly and one of the most important things I've learned from being out on the ocean and climbing various small mountains is that one MUST RESPECT ONE'S ENVIRONMENT! I think it's smarter to consume what you must and hold back on skiing when necessary rather than take some UNnecessary risk. You're doing the right thing!! Your expedition is STILL one of the biggest challenges on this planet and very important to many many people out here...so if you need a re-supply, you DO it! I wish you a wonderful dinner, more great music, ease of pitching tent and peaceful rest tonight, Ben. Most of all, I wish you smooth and solid pan tomorrow! All the best to you! -- Nikki

By Nikki on Monday, 5 April - 08:51 pm -0700

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# Good Luck!

Good luck on your journey! I was saddened to hear what happened to Dominique..

By Sami Lilja on Monday, 5 April - 08:40 pm -0700

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# Awed

Stay strong and sharp -- I'm rootin for you

By Gary Gutterman on Monday, 5 April - 07:01 pm -0700

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# Good thing you make good decisions!

Okay Ben, guess we need to rephrase that positive thought to a new positive thought: We will picture in our minds. . . MANY STRONG PANS AHEAD! And so we do, Ben.

Fortunately, you are good to take any disappointment in stride. We are proud of you for so many of the things you have accomplished and overcome. Also, it is good that we can all keep up with your progress. Don't worry about the re-supply, it is what you need.

We will be with you all the way Ben. All of us see MANY STRONG PANS AHEAD for tomorrow.

Cissy,
Texas

By Cissy on Monday, 5 April - 06:45 pm -0700

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# Very Good

So glad you've decided on the re-supply. Wisdom is better than pride any day. This will mean some new boots hopefully!
I pray for you every day.

By Karen Tynes on Monday, 5 April - 06:10 pm -0700

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# Re-supply?

aww Ben, that's a shame. Well look at it this way, it's better to finish alive and well, then to attempt it with out it and end up dead, I hate to be so blunt. My daughter (3months) is not feeling well at all. I can't stay on long. I don't want to be away and unattentive of her needs. I'll be thinking about you, hey perhaps you'll be coming up on that mail box soon!

christy

By Christy on Monday, 5 April - 05:38 pm -0700

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# resupply

Hi Ben,

It had to be a difficult decision on resupplying. But, at this point, after all that you have been through, just completing the expedition would be a huge accomplishment. We are all behind you. I hope that the ice conditions improve. You certainly deserve a few breaks. Keep smiling-

By Bob on Monday, 5 April - 04:57 pm -0700

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# Best wishes

I am amazed at you. I hope you will stay healthy and you certainly have everyones and my personal wishes to achieve your goal. Pls. look at the nature of the environment and speak out on it's state in that region. It should also be a reminder to leave places on this earth in pristine condition for our future generations. I hope you already belong to the Explorers Club! Cheerio, all the best, Ingrid from chilly NYC.

By Ingrid Umdasch on Monday, 5 April - 04:42 pm -0700

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# It's a luvvie thing!

Ben,
I am involved in a Drama workshop for kids and took in an excerpt from your diary about swimming across a lead. (copyright? What copyright?) I got them to think about their ‘motivation’ before we acted out getting into our orange drysuits and crawling into slush puppy ice before pulling our pulk across to the other side. It went down a treat. They’re all young carers so have a fairly tough run as it is, so it got them thinking about overcoming obstacles/hardship/ fear etc in a fun way. So thanks for that. - As they said to me ... “Respect to the nutter on the ice!”
We’re with you all the way and you’re already having a positive effect!
Keep it up mate.

By Sharky on Monday, 5 April - 04:41 pm -0700