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Dispatches: Sleepless nights - Friday, 20th February 2004

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I wouldn't say I've quite reached a state of outright panic, but things are getting more surreal by the minute. Tony (my expedition manager) and the incredible Babs Powell worked through the entire night, weighing, sorting & packing food. I feel incredibly guilty for snatching a few hours' kip, and after racking my brains have decided the best way to show my gratitude is to make sure I eat the lot and don't end up coming home early!

I leave the UK on Saturday lunchtime (21st Feb), along with Tony, Valeria (my girlfriend), Martin Hartley (photographer) and a two-man film crew. I can't help feeling that the journey through Russia will be a pretty epic adventure in itself. After five flights (including a five hour helicopter trip) I dread to think what the odds of the six of us and our 300+kg of excess baggage all ending up in the same place are...

I'll try to send a few dispatches back from Siberia, and I should be on the ice by the 26th. On on!

Visitor Comments

# Sleepless nights For Me also.

At my age it seems that about every other night I don't sleep good at all. Then I end up sleeping during the next day to make up for the lost sleep. I just caannot seem to get smoothed out the way it should be.

By Jack N Bussell on Monday, 8 March - 07:46 pm -0800

# All the Best!

Wow this is amazing! All the best pretty sure with your determination you will do this in less than 90 days! All the best again from Sydney, down under!

By Amit Karmakar on Tuesday, 24 February - 03:06 am -0800

# Canada can't wait to greet you with open arms!

We at Serco North America, Saskatchewan Canada specifically, are tracking your crossing with great anticipation. We wish you the best of luck and God's speed to triumph in this huge challenge. Canada awaits your arrival, and we are looking forward to the celebration of your success.

Cheers,
Rod Allan

By Rod Allan on Monday, 23 February - 04:56 pm -0800

# All the best !

Things have gone quiet on the expedition front back here in the Serco offices since your departure - I now have no one to call on an hourly basis and strangely enough am slightly missing you all ! I hope all is going well and according to plan and I wish you all the luck in the world Ben. As for Tony I have started work on your diary so make the most of your (un)relaxing break - be warned things aren't calming down yet ! Last but not least, all my best to Bens family, friends and loved ones.

By Nikki - Serco on Monday, 23 February - 03:36 pm -0800

# RE unsupported crossing

Eric, in answer to your question Rune Gjeldnes and Torry Larsen made a crossing unsupported in 2000, and Borge completed the journey solo in 2001 but I believe had to have a replacement sledge near the start making it a supported expedition. Ben, if successful would be the first solo AND unsupported. Hope this answers your question!

By steve saunders on Sunday, 22 February - 05:58 pm -0800

# first crossing?

I read on your website that this is a first unsupported crossing? I don't believe that is true. What about Borge Ousland and the two Norweigans?

Please comment

By eric larsen on Sunday, 22 February - 04:45 am -0800

# good luck from sydney australia

I was handed a copy of the brochure of your amazing adventure by one of the Serco Sodexho Defence Services managers at Richmond, Sydney, Australia. I am extremely impressed and wish you good luck and a successful adventure; I salute your courage.

By Rodney Cox on Saturday, 21 February - 12:38 pm -0800

# Sleepless nights

I can identify with sleepless nights! And I'm sure any other mother would understand that! Just wish I lived nearer so could put my wakefulness to some practical use. Thanks to Babs and Tony for their amazing support. See you all tomorrow at the airport. Mum xxxxx

By Brenda Wilson on Friday, 20 February - 01:13 pm -0800

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 war on weight

The war on weight - Saturday, 14th February 2004

It's one week to go and I'm starting to feel like getting out on the Ice will be a relaxing break. During the day, there are Russian visas, film crew itineraries and kit deliveries to deal with. At night we lock ourselves away with scissors, drills, ...read more

Sleepless nights

Sleepless nights - Friday, 20th February 2004

I wouldn't say I've quite reached a state of outright panic, but things are getting more surreal by the minute. Tony (my expedition manager) and the incredible Babs Powell worked through the entire night, weighing, sorting & packing food. I feel ...

"Six hours, if we live..."

"Six hours, if we live..." - Monday, 23rd February 2004

I remember telling a reporter at Heathrow airport on Saturday morning that I felt 'stressed out' as we waited to board our flight to Moscow. My concept of what could be considered high levels of stress changed rapidly over the ensuing day. After ...read more

The pressure's on!

The pressure's on! - Wednesday, 25th February 2004

Apparently 4,500 people live in Khatanga, the frozen fishing town where we have been based for the last 48 hours, but you wouldn't know it. The whole place seems in hibernation, except for three children dressed in oversize coats kicking a football ...read more

ANOTHER day in paradise

ANOTHER day in paradise - Saturday, 28th February 2004

I'm starting to wonder if we'll ever leave Khatanga. One of the joys of being solo on the ice (if I ever get there!) is that I'm entirely in charge of my own destiny. Right now, that couldn't be further from the case - our stay in the frozen town ...read more

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“I'd rather attempt to do something great and fail than to attempt to do nothing and succeed.” - Robert Schuller