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Dispatches: D-Day minus one... - Wednesday, 3rd March 2004

Things are looking up. It seems highly likely that we will fly tomorrow (no honestly, it does!)

After a final photo shoot on the river this afternoon, we packed the sledges away for the last time and sat here with our fingers firmly crossed, I'm trying to ignore rumours of 70km of open water off Cape Arktichevsky, particularly as radar can't differentiate between open water and thin ice, but it'll be interesting to see what the ice (water?!) will be like.

This time tomorrow, I could be alone in my tent. Sitting here in a t-shirt, listening to music on a laptop, that seems a whole world away...

Visitor Comments

# Good Luck 2 U!

Hey Good luck 2 you! I'll be watching the site and praying 4 you!
BEST OF LUCK 2 YOU!

By Sam on Friday, 26 March - 07:55 pm -0800

# A Noble Endeavor

I learned of your adventure via an email tip from Kim Kommando. I admire your undaunted spirit to endure these hardships alone for little more than the accomplishment itself. I trust your goal is inline with that of your creator. I believe you shall grow more than even you imagine and learn things about yourself that you never knew existed. I pray that your excursion is blessed and you complete in glory!

By Mike Kennedy on Tuesday, 9 March - 03:58 am -0800

# Go get em...

Your true spirit will hopefully inspire the youth of today to do something other than eating rotted eggs on television. Keep on, Keepin on......Now this is something that should be shown on television.

By Red Dawn on Friday, 5 March - 01:04 pm -0800

# 4364801 steps

not quite as many steps as kev claims

By tim c on Thursday, 4 March - 10:25 pm -0800

# Good luck form San Clemente, Ca

Good luck on your journey,God bless you

By Russ Lawless on Thursday, 4 March - 05:28 pm -0800

# God be with you

God bless you as you follow your dream. Once again, be careful, let patience be that virtue you need, and take it all in. This will be a memory you will cherish forever. I look forward to following this adventure with my dear floor heater at my feet.

By Debra McGregor on Thursday, 4 March - 05:12 pm -0800

# Best Wishes

Best wishes from Bradleyville High School in Bradleyville, Missouri. Our fifth hour students will be following your daily progress.

By Dave Fulbright on Thursday, 4 March - 04:27 pm -0800

# All the best

Ben - I hope you finally get going today! Valeria, I wish you a safe trip back to us and can't wait to hear about your adventure seeing Ben off!

By Frances Smythe on Thursday, 4 March - 02:32 pm -0800

# Per Mare Per Terram - By Sea By Land

You remember the Royal Marines motto Ben. Good luck and all the very best from all at BMF. Whatever the terrain, whatever the problem I know you have the mental determination to overcome it. Roughly 217,500,000 steps to finish this momentus acheivement... sorry!
Watch out for the Polar Bears, just keep your head down and keep plodding on.

By Kev Lomas on Thursday, 4 March - 02:00 pm -0800

# A wise man once said ....

A journey of 1240 miles begins with a single step - Confucious

Well he actually said 1000 miles, but the sentiment is the same. Best wishes for the expedition and I hope that you can take that first step very soon.

Andy

By Andy Lomas on Thursday, 4 March - 01:24 pm -0800

# Best Wishes and God Speed for all at Media & Design

Well, we're keeping everything crossed here! And to think I moan about my M3 commute on a cold, wet morning! Wimps eh! But from all us us, we wish you well. Just make it safely!

By Simon on Thursday, 4 March - 11:20 am -0800

# You are on the offensive

I hope that you are in your plan. It is a gret pleasure and honour to write you.
Yours,
Dr. Teodor Negoita

By Dr.Teodor Gh. Negoita on Wednesday, 3 March - 11:52 pm -0800

# alien terrain

Dear Ben,To me this is like an astronaut on Mars sending daily memos addressing environment and survival.God speed and I'll follow you every day almost like the polar bears will be doing.At 10k you must smell like thanksgiving dinner when the bears catch your scent.Artycares-----

By Arty Abbott on Wednesday, 3 March - 11:02 pm -0800

# chocolate y churros

Have just read The Observer interview (29 feb), excellent. Good luck from Granada, donde hace un frio que te mueras

By tim c on Wednesday, 3 March - 10:36 pm -0800

# Greetings from California...

You are brave Ben! Good luck on your journey! Take some more great shots out there.

By Piggy on Wednesday, 3 March - 09:13 pm -0800

# GET A MOVE ON

Sharp revision course in polar travel....

LEsson number one: patience.

Must be v frustrating, but sure you're making good use of your time and when the scramble call goes up you'll be really revved up.

I too had to wait all of 8 minutes for a number 9 today. It's really too bad.

Lots of love, thought and prayers
Rosie, Hilaire, Mem, Joanne and lots of other tasty blondes

By rosie stancer on Wednesday, 3 March - 09:07 pm -0800

# TOMORROW?

the poles.com website says sleds in helis but pilots not there in time so tomorrow? Might give a chance for the ice to build?

By Helen Haile on Wednesday, 3 March - 08:53 pm -0800

# Good Luck!

Ben,
Have A GREAT time!!!! Thank you for giving such an inspirational talk to our shool! We shall be following you all the way.
Best of Luck !!!
Lucy Hartley Danes Hill School

By Lucy Hartley on Wednesday, 3 March - 07:45 pm -0800

# Buena suerte!!!

Hope you are on the move.
Good luke!!!

By Ana on Wednesday, 3 March - 07:38 pm -0800

# "D Day minus one..."

I really can't be fucking belive this,
I am outta here

By John Munna on Wednesday, 3 March - 06:21 pm -0800

# NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS WE HOPE

Hope thet no update indicates you are FINALLY on your way! Very best of luck Ben - our thoughts will be with you constantly. Did Tony remember to pack some paddles? Hope your arrival at the Cape will be/was greeted by ice however. Tony, Val and crew - have safe flights home. Tony a 'Sunday' roast awaits! Mum H

By Helen Haile on Wednesday, 3 March - 05:49 pm -0800

# Good Luck from Notre Dame

Ben

Good Luck from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. I look forward to you showing us another part of the world.

By Bob Cunningham on Wednesday, 3 March - 05:17 pm -0800

# GOOD LUCK

GOOD LUCK BEN!!!
Val and the rest of you have a safe return to the UK

By tete on Wednesday, 3 March - 03:20 pm -0800

# D-Day -1

Did you pack a bikini!
The choppper flight is an adventure in itself.
seriously hope the winds on your back and the ice is thick .
I log on daily to see how you are getting on I know you are sensible and will take great care. We are all routing for you.
Cheers to you Tony and the crew.
Babs X

By Babs Powell on Wednesday, 3 March - 10:58 am -0800

# the Stella is calling!

your dedication is an inspiration.

By simon on Wednesday, 3 March - 09:08 am -0800

# Good luck on your journey

When the going is hard and the way unclear, tell yourself "ski on!" (it's a family joke, but seems appropriate to your upcoming adventure). Hope you brought along a can of peas and an ice pick for the polar bears...

By ginny on Wednesday, 3 March - 06:33 am -0800

# Sincere wishes

Ben,

I just wanted to wish you all the best and a safe return. This is the ultimate challenge and if anybody can overcome this, then you can. That said though mate, don't take un-necessary risks as their is always another day.

I genuinely wish you all the best,

Good luck,

Neil

By Neil Edge on Tuesday, 2 March - 10:23 pm -0800

# great news

The first step is the greatest! Terrible plagiarism - but hope the very best for you....and every step that you take. Bestest of wishes, and convinced that success will be yours !

By edmo on Tuesday, 2 March - 10:13 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.

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

It's Déjà vu all over again

It's Déjà vu all over again - Monday, 1st March 2004

No flight, no change, no news. We were expecting to fly (finally!) at ten this morning. I set my alarm, woke up bleary-eyed at seven and dressed in full expedition gear. It was suspiciously quiet, and with a familiar sinking feeling I walked the few ...read more

D-Day minus one...

D-Day minus one... - Wednesday, 3rd March 2004

Things are looking up. It seems highly likely that we will fly tomorrow (no honestly, it does!) After a final photo shoot on the river this afternoon, we packed the sledges away for the last time and sat here with our fingers firmly crossed, I'm ...

Let's go

Let's go - Thursday, 4th March 2004

It's supposed to be getting warmer now, yet in Khatanga this morning it was a bone-chilling -47 degrees - a good omen. The helicopter flight we thought would never happen er, happened and I'm biting my nails waiting for my final drop off flight ...read more

Alone and shreezing

Alone and shreezing - Friday, 5th March 2004

According to my mum (hi mum!) I used to pronounce freezing as 'shreezing' when I was a bit younger. Well, it's bruddy shreezing here in my tent right now! Our fears were confirmed this morning, with over 50km of open water off the cape. ...read more

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“You've got to jump off cliffs all the time and build your wings on the way down.” - Ray Bradbury