Visitor Comments

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# Hmmm...

Now the underwear thing is interesting. :-D Anyhoo, no disrespect to Valeria...she's one lucky girl, Ben!! But c'mon, you're a good lookin' dude with tons of ambition and you're telling us it's time to think about the underwear change. You know we wanna hear about it... Your spirits are still solid and that's fantastic...your gut tells you the right thing to do and I'm glad you're listening to it as far as when to stay put and when to move and how to fix that blasted boot! Sounds like you're having success!! Excellent! We're with you every step of the way...on to the 84th! -- Nikki p.s. Babs Powell is cracking me up! Oh, and also...that dude Tony who maintains the website (am I right on that?) is doing an awesome job...this is a beautiful website! ;-) All the best for rest and a successful day tomorrow!

By Nikki on Wednesday, 31 March - 08:35 pm -0800

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# Pants

4 weeks in the same underpants - you cant be serious. Or is this a secret technique - get the pants to walk to the north pole on their own and you can be a passenger ;o) Excellent raffle prize for the next PH BTaP perhaps. We are off to Donington this weekend to watch the TVRs race - will be thinking of you mate.

By Big_M on Wednesday, 31 March - 12:30 pm -0800

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# frosty underwear

A few tips and wrinkles on how to use the Polar laundrette. No doubt you are well stocked with coins for the machine and didn’t bin the Persil and Comfort when you ejected your second pulk. Otherwise it’s down to a bit of melted snow and a wet wipe, if you have one.
Did you know there was such a thing as edible underwear? We gave some to Will Carnegie, my skipper on Veritas during the BT Challenge, for his birthday. Maybe I should send you some by Polar Post. It would kill two birds with one stone, fresh underwear and extra calories! But if that doesn’t rock your sledge, it’s down to rinsing the boxers in a pan and a bit of snow water. It may give future meals cooked in that pan a distinctive flavour though…
Needless to say, you would then hang them on your tent overnight and they’ll be freeze dried by morning. However, from experience this system does have its drawbacks. You will need a chisel and hammer to prise them from the tent and they may crunch a bit when you put them back on. I do think the makers of comfort should look into this wee problem for future expeditions.
Enough rudeness, well done on your good mileage, but no, I won’t be going to the gym tonight! I’ll leave what you are dealing with in my imagination.
Warm hugs,
Babs x

By Babs Powell on Wednesday, 31 March - 12:25 pm -0800

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# Greetings from Giulia

Hi Ben, how are you? My mum has shown me all your mails since you started off. I'm almost 10.You are very brave and from what you are doing, you make me understand that if you want to do something in life, you can, it just takes time and courage. I hope to meet you one day - I live in sunny and warm Italy!
Love, Giulia
p.s. I hope, when you come back you will have a nice warm bath!!!!!

By Giulia on Wednesday, 31 March - 12:19 pm -0800

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# Hi!

Hi Ben, We've all been following your adventures closely. We keep praying for better weather for you, I can't believe we have the nerve to complain about the "cold" London weather (although today and yesterday have been beautiful). Valeria came over for dinner on Sat night, the usual BBQ. Hope you can join us sometime in May! Bye &Good luck, Susan

By Brian,Susan,Robbie&Stevie on Wednesday, 31 March - 12:16 pm -0800

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# Keep going Ben!

Ben, I have a quote for you today:
Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence.
Albert Einstein

God bless... Keep the good work going.

By Chris on Wednesday, 31 March - 12:04 pm -0800

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# Amazing journey

Hi ben, just heard of your site. Very impressed by your endeavour. Keep those miles going!

david

By David on Wednesday, 31 March - 11:43 am -0800

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# Wave Vidmar

Hey Benny Boy!

I admire your enterprise! I follow your progress and that of American Wave Vidmar (www.northpolesolo.com) every day. You are doing great! I have to ask though - are you travelling together and not telling us about it? You are both relative novices in the dangerous world of Arctic travel and it must be tempting to join forces with someone else. I know I would! I say this because you are always at exactly the same position as him, you always take a rest day when he does, your daily distances are very similar and you are both travelling for the same length of time (yesterday 9hrs for example). Maybe I'm wrong but the photos on his website look as though they could only have been taken by someone else. If you haven't seen him yet, look over your shoulder!

By Hans on Wednesday, 31 March - 10:14 am -0800

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# logistics

Ben, I am amazed at your physical endurance and you have my best wishes for a successful journey. However, logic tells me at best you have 60 days of fuel and food left and thus far a good day's progress has been under 9Nm. In order for you to complete your task in the next 60 days you will need to average close to 14 Nm per day. Do you expect as time goes on that conditions will improve so that your daily distances will vastly increase? What is the plan Ben or are you having so much fun that it doesn't matter? Also, I expect that in order for you to make one mile of progress you need to ski a mile and one half to get around all the obstacles. What conditions are you expecting for the rest of the trip? Please take a little time in one of your dispatches to address the logistics. Thanks Ben. Keep on chugging.

By bill on Wednesday, 31 March - 06:15 am -0800

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# Open Water

Am enjoying the "daily adventure" coutesey of Kim Komando's website link. . .Nothing has piqued my interest lately like your trip! How do you survive while changing into your "swimsuit"? It appears there will be open water as you near the North Pole. How will you cross it? What a wonderful God-given opportunity to showcase the abilities we have as human beings! Hope you stay healthy and remain upbeat daily. Press on!!!!!!

By Tom Nebelsick on Wednesday, 31 March - 03:48 am -0800

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# Right on!

Hi, Ben
A hardy congratulations, for today's and your continued success, awesome job! I am learning a new vocabulary - pan, pressure ridge, and nautical mile - for each nautical mile, may you find the pan, free of pressure ridges. Ski on, dude!
-Scot
San Luis Obispo, Ca.

By Scot Morrison on Wednesday, 31 March - 02:05 am -0800

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# hello from vermont

the snow here is finally melting, it has been a very long and cold winter, but again I feel blessed that it is warming up, why in the world do you want to do this? I know, another conquer, God Bless you and all you do, You will be in my prayers tonight, ellie taft, Manchester Vermont

By ellie taft on Wednesday, 31 March - 01:23 am -0800

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# Determination

Glad you had a good day.....
Lets hope all your days from now on are good.
fantastic that the boot is fixed,and the weather is getting better.

Gonna say it again ............

Kepp yomping.many people are behind you.
Go find your dream Ben "!!
Jess

By Jessie on Tuesday, 30 March - 11:51 pm -0800

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# aloha from maui

Ben,
What you are doing is beyond my ability to imagine in real human terms. May God's presence and protection be with you every step of the way! I'll enjoy your daily musings very much but I do worry about your safety. My prayers are with you!
Sincerely,
Wendy on Maui

By Wendy on Tuesday, 30 March - 10:55 pm -0800

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# One of a chosen few

The bible says, unto whom much is given, much is expected. Or words to that effect. Clearly you are one of those gifted few who are meant to set standards for us to aspire to. Even Shakespeare said '.what the great do the lesser prattle off'. So please keep doing the great things, we mortals want to 'prattle off'. Your daily dispatches encourage us to face our difficulties with renewed strength and determination. We're very proud of you Ben.

Godspeed and safe return.

By Chris Hyman on Tuesday, 30 March - 10:32 pm -0800

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# I'm tired just reading today's dispatch ;-)

Hi Ben

James wants me to tell you good luck with the rest of the expedition. You're doing a fab job, keep up the good work.
Reading what you are going through is making me realise just how unfit I am, although the thought of even doing a fraction of what you have been doing though, makes me feel very very tired. ;-)

You just have to try and turn up for a PH do when you get back, the beer is on me :-)

By Mrs Fish on Tuesday, 30 March - 09:40 pm -0800

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# Great Job.

So glad your boot is holding up .You did great yesterday .
Thoughts and prays.Gloria .

By Gloria on Tuesday, 30 March - 09:02 pm -0800

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# Keep on Trekkin

Wow! I just checked out your progress map. you are making big progress now. I like the description of your nine mile day. You are amazing..

Thanks for the effort and inspiration. If you can get through your day, mine is a piece of cake.

Rock ON!

By Brad on Tuesday, 30 March - 08:57 pm -0800

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# You go guy!

Congrats on having such a great day! Wow you must be in incredible shape, to take on 9 hrs of skiing. Keep up the good work!

By cateye =^@@^= on Tuesday, 30 March - 08:50 pm -0800

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# Ya, Hoo!

This 'ole Texas Gal says Ya, Hoo! Three cheers to you Ben! I have every confidence in you and I look forward to reading about many more days when you will see those miles fly right on by!

It just occurs to me that you can have snow ice cream anytime you want! UMMMMMMM!

More Pans ahead 4u
Cissy
Texas

By Cissy on Tuesday, 30 March - 08:26 pm -0800

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# Out there for over 32 weeks?!

If he's been out there for 4 weeks, and has traveled not even 100 miles, does that mean he'll be out there for another 28 weeks or so? (32 weeks total)? If so, that's insane... I couldn't stay that cold for that long, and I'm Canadian! :D

Keep on chuggin, sir!

By Mykel on Tuesday, 30 March - 07:43 pm -0800

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# WHAT'S THIS? ANOTHER ITEM UP FOR AUCTION?

Um... Eh... What's this? Another potential item up for bidding? Well, I'll have to think about that one a bit more. I mean, your broken boot WILL be mine. The underwear, on the other hand, I'll magnanimously leave for others to fight over..... Oh, but to be a fly on the wall during THAT auction!!! Come to think of it, you may just get a whole horde of flies....

Luv ya, babe! Uh, I mean - Ben.
Moki

By Moki Kokoris on Tuesday, 30 March - 07:41 pm -0800

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# Press on.

Glad to hear the boot is holding up. I really like the idea of auctioning off that troublesome boot when you are done (and you will do it). Press on and keep the chin up.

By George Fudge on Tuesday, 30 March - 07:34 pm -0800

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# Keep up the good work!

Danes Hill are on their Easter holiday now but I know many are still following your progress including me - Year 3 teacher. So glad you had a good day today and that your boot is holding out. Enjoy the underwear change!
Best of luck!
Helen Hereward

By Helen Hereward on Tuesday, 30 March - 07:32 pm -0800

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# 9 hours on skis?

Your determination and strength amazes me!

I look forward to each dispatch with anxious anticipation! I am in awe of your adventure!
Thanks so much for the detailed descriptions and for allowing the rest of us to tag along from the warmth and comfort of our homes.

I'll bet I'm not the only person who'll never complain about being cold again. In fact, to say that I've had a tough day may never pass my lips again.

Good news and good job on your boot - you are the man!

Ski on, Arctic Ben, ski on...

Debi

By Debi on Tuesday, 30 March - 07:25 pm -0800

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# Keep Going!!

Wow! Keep going and we are sending you positive thoughts from North Carolina. Check on your progress each day. Thanks for sharing your adventure.

By Joe on Tuesday, 30 March - 07:02 pm -0800

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# Keep It Up

Since you've been gone Ipswich's results have improved - clearly you're even motivating those in sleepy Suffolk.
Best wishes from the Serco plc Board.

Kevin

By Kevin Beeston on Tuesday, 30 March - 06:51 pm -0800

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# Great workout

Sounds like what Lewis & Clark endured when they went west. They hoped every mountain they climbed was the last....only to stand at the top of one and see an unending expanse of more mountains, with no ocean in sight.

I'm happy to hear you were able to get some all day skiing in today - about 8 miles - that's great! You have every right to be satisfied at day's end.

I hope tomorrow is just as productive for you.

Press on!

By Gwen on Tuesday, 30 March - 06:22 pm -0800

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# YUCK!

4 weeks in the same undies, gee whiz Ben, wasn't that TMI... Too much information. (laughing my butt off) What about the smae smelly shirt you have been in for 4 weeks! Do you really change your clothes up there? I mean it has to be cold as the ......to do a No. 2! Well I see your location on the map is getting better and better. Go Ben Go, Go Ben Go. I think it's great, by the time you get done you will be in real tip top shape and you should have a set of biceps to kill for. Congrats to your MUMMY and her Rob. Anytime you embark on a life commitment it's a challenge to make it work! Happy for them. Not that you or anyone else wants to know, but I am gonna tell you anyway! I have been married 10 years now and 3 children (9)(7) (2 months) I am blessed she is alive, she almost died, heart stopped 2 over 2 mins and then the cord was wrapped around her neck twice, you got it emergency c-section not enough time for pain killers, I felt most it, until he got ready to stitch me up and staple, then the epidural started to take effect, so I think when you can endure that you can ENDURE anything you hear me BEN - oh yeah ----I almost forgot. (LOL) Been married 10 years and I love him today as much as I did the day I asked him to marry me! He's truly my up lifter everyday. Good thing he doesn't know that, geee there'd be no room in the house for that head of his. Good luck Ben, Warm Wishes and Prayers go out to you. Great spirits I see.
Christy

PS thanks for yall listening to my story! LOL

By Christy on Tuesday, 30 March - 04:32 pm -0800

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# Pressure Ridges

Your description of your day and climbing all of those pressure ridges certainly paints an ugly picture- 4 weeks-My back would have quit after the first few days. The magnitude of what you are trying to accomplish keeps getting more vivid with each days progress report. Thanks for bringing all of us along for the ride- I hope the boot repair continues to hold- That could end up being one valuable boot.
Christy- Thanks for the kind thought.

By Bob on Tuesday, 30 March - 04:08 pm -0800

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# 100 miles!!

Congrats Ben on reaching this milestone ( in actual miles)! The first 100 must undoubtedly be the hardest so hopefully you will continue to make good progress now. Glad no. 5 bootrepair is holding up.
Many congrats also to Brenda and Rob - fantastic news and a real uplifter for Ben I am sure. Helen

By Helen Haile on Tuesday, 30 March - 03:53 pm -0800