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Dispatches: Heading south - Wednesday, 12th May 2004

Day's Statistics

Expedition & Environmental Statistics:
Position:89.43.5 88.16.7W (view route map)
Daily distance:14.1 nm
Total distance:507.4 nm
Distance to go:399.3 nm
Travelling time:10hs
Temperature:-1°C
Conditions:clear & later cloudy. Moderate wind from NE. 2 very big leads, few pans & old pack ice.
view large image
view large image

Well, things aren't much different here on the other side of the world. I'm still heading in roughly the same direction, although north has become south and east has become west, if that makes sense...

I'm also living and navigating in Russian rather than Canadian time, as it means I don't have to alter my routine and that I can ski with the sun behind me, rather than walking into it (it's pretty bright up here). Of course, with 24-hour daylight, it can be whatever time I want it to be.

The weather is still glorious, but I saw an unnerving amount of open water this morning (see pic) - two enormous open leads. I'm happy to report that conditions improved throughout the day, although the ice on the whole is far from perfect. Another satisfying day in the mileage department and I'm still feeling strong, which makes it all the more frustrating that I'm not here a couple of weeks earlier. It definitely feels like I'm on the homeward stretch now - I suspected my motivation would plummet after reaching the Pole, but if anything, the reverse is true.

So what's next? I'm certainly not wandering along aimlessly - my next goal is to cover the 36 nautical miles we flew over at the start of the expedition (due to extensive areas of open water and dangerously thin ice). That takes me to 89'24. The next step is the 1,000km mark. A nice round number, which I'll pass at 89'13 (1,000km is a straight line distance and I'd guess I've covered 20-30 percent more due to the ice, open water and negative drift). After those two, we'll see how the ice looks...

Today's dedication is to Chris Hyman, Serco's CEO. I tried to call him yesterday to say thank you, but couldn't get through. The memory of him working like mad to pack my sledge during the resupply (while I was being interviewed) will live with me forever, and in so many ways sums up his involvement with, and enthusiasm for this expedition. Thank you Chris.

A HUGE thank you as well to everyone that has left messages on the site - I've only had a fraction of them passed on via the satphone and I'm grinning from ear to ear. A big hi to Dixie and to DB (I hope you're still wiggling those toes).

Visitor Comments

# On top of the world

Many congratulations Ben - It's downhill all the way now!

By Huw Morgan on Thursday, 13 May - 09:35 am -0700

# Canada

Hi Ben
So proud you reached the pole and you are heading south now.. (was it south???)
As we all know you will get as far as it is possible without endangering yourself or others (helicopeter rescuers..). I think 99,9 of the people checking this website agrees with this....
Congratulations for reaching the pole and for making us share this experience.

By Tete on Thursday, 13 May - 09:07 am -0700

# Well Done!

Came to the exped launch in London and am delighted to read you have made it so far. Check your site as often as I can and have often been moved to tears reading your dispatches. Today decided it was time I added my congrats and best wishes to this site. So here they are - very well done and many congrats on getting so far.The amount of open water you have seen is very scary and really brings home the changes our climate is experiencing. I am amazed at your strength, courage and determination and wish you every success in your continued efforts to complete this challenge. Keep on trucking! Yvette from Serco at Brampton/Wyton and Henlow!

By Yvette Turner on Thursday, 13 May - 07:23 am -0700

# watching from the wings

We have followed your journey, daily, just like many others over the past months. Not only have you stood up against the elements, exploring a place most will never go, you have pushed the limits of technology and helped us experience your adventure in such a way that goes beyond a magazine article. We feel like we've had a awesome backseat and felt the occasional cold blasts from the side window that take our breath. This site has been fansastically done, and the painstaken means by which you made sure that we had a taste of what your experiencing has been incredible. Thanks for taking everyone along.

By Pam from Wisconsin on Thursday, 13 May - 04:10 am -0700

# In our hearts..

The strength of the support team is the hearts and minds of all the folks on the net who wish you well and pray for your good fortune and safe return. That said- you are loony and we know it- you must be sun-struck and blue-iced to the core. Get a move on brother, the sea is opening up and you will become a boat soon. All you need is a sail and a sledge. Best of days and smooth sliding.

By mike keith on Thursday, 13 May - 02:39 am -0700

# Great Job

Well done Ben!! Remember mate your going down hill now. The miles will fly. Keep strong and stay positive.

Matt McFadyen
Sydney, Australia

By Matt McFadyen on Thursday, 13 May - 02:07 am -0700

# 'Missing' Messages

Jane (Pike) , re your comment yesterday unddr 'Bravo' about missing messages from your cubs you will find them under 'Contact' - there are another 459 messages (overall) to read there! Happy reading!

By Jonathan and Helen Haile on Wednesday, 12 May - 11:13 pm -0700

# WAY TO GO BEN!!!

Huge congrats, for reaching the pole! :D I'll drink one for ya tonight! Cheers, mate!

By Sami Lilja on Wednesday, 12 May - 10:27 pm -0700

# Congrats Ben!

I've never missed a post, and I'll continue to keep up with your daily accomplishments. I love clicking on the serco site to see your progress. I've wanted to post for so long, but I can't think of anything clever to tell you. Well, just so you know, our family is keeping track of you. I check this site more than my email!
Blessings,
Sheila, Oklahoma City

By Sheila Huggins on Wednesday, 12 May - 10:17 pm -0700

# how many messages yesterday?

Just how many messages were posted yesterday? Many more than is shown. Could we see them all? Pleeeeeeaaaaase...

Ben you are doing fantastic keep enjoying it and take one day at a time.
Love Jane and the Yorkshire lot....
Mum was delighted you'd made it (Aunty Marion to you)

By Jane Pike on Wednesday, 12 May - 09:40 pm -0700

# Nice One Ben

Sorry we weren't around yesterday to say many many congratulations on your fantastic achievement! Hope the ice holds up for you. Keep going as far as you can. By my reckoning you should reach Canada in only a few months. From there keep heading south. It'll be a bit tricky getting into the USA... Prepare for a sled search; they're getting a bit hot on these things you know. Then keep going all the way down to South America (you should be there by September when I'll expect to see you on the start line of the Jungle Marathon). After that I think you should carry on heading south and "do the South Pole" - you might as well, it makes sense to kill off two birds with one stone seeing as you're almost there...
Well done again, Ben - you're a great inspiration to us all.

Best wishes,

Luke and Charlotte

By Luke & Charlotte Cunliffe on Wednesday, 12 May - 09:02 pm -0700

# No Unsolicited Phone Calls PLEASE!!!

To: Ben Saunders, Explorer
CC: James Powell, Head of the U.S. Regulatory Agency that controls Telephone Marketing
RE: Phone Solicitations from the North Pole

Dear Ben,

I am hereby requesting to be taken off your list. I wish to receive no further telephone marketing calls from you, espeacially not from the North Pole. As you know, telemarketing is being outlawed in America and although the North Pole lies outside the U.S. jurisdiction, I am copying the head of America's Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on this.

Sincerely,
Michael Kobold

++++++++++++++++++

Ben, you are absolutely mad to use your sat phone's batteries to call me in my office and leave a voice message, especially given that you're only wanting a watch!! What would happen to me, your trusted and loyal friend, if you were to run into trouble up there and when they find you -frozen in a gigantic ice block- they determine that your death could have been prevented had you only 2 minutes of call time left on your sat phone's batteries? I would feel terrible!!

Seriously, you never stop to amaze me. Your message made me very proud and I quickly convened the entire Kobold staff around my phone to replay the voice message you just left. I am kind of glad that I missed you, because that way I can play your message over and over again....to girls, their mothers, etc. etc. etc. ! :-)

Your watch will be taken care of when you return. I very much look forward to seeing you in Canada in a few weeks.

Stay strong, Ben, we're really proud to be a part of your efforts.

Best wishes,
Mike

By Mike Kobold on Wednesday, 12 May - 08:37 pm -0700

# Today the North Pole...

... tomorrow the world :-)

Keep on trucking Ben.

By Lisa (Mrs Fish) on Wednesday, 12 May - 08:28 pm -0700

# Great Job.

Welcome to Canada Ben.
Keep safe .thoughts and prays coming your way.Gloria.

By Gloria on Wednesday, 12 May - 08:16 pm -0700

# well done

I so glad you made it and completed your trip.

By philippa mcelhinney on Wednesday, 12 May - 08:04 pm -0700

# Pressing On

So now the suspense will be, will he or won't he make it to Canada. One leg at a time, and you never know, you might just make it! Either way, we're behind you 100%.

So many moving dispatches were posted yesterday - read them all last night, and Wave's this morning. Ironic in a way how a man who is so alone in the Arctic can have so many people who care about him, and check on him daily.

You're special, Ben - this site is special - Serco's special - and everyone who posts on here is special.

Take care and stay safe. Hope it gets colder for you.

By Gwen on Wednesday, 12 May - 07:52 pm -0700

# All you need to know is you have a great support system!

Hey Ben:
Congrats on the NPole and keep us updated on the other side of the mountain, so-to-speak.

We are all cheering and praying and giving you our best wishes for you to achieve as much as possible on this trip.

"Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time." Steven Wright
Cissy,
Texas

By Cissy on Wednesday, 12 May - 07:38 pm -0700

# WAVE VIDMAR

Wave. Great to see your message of support (in fact despite your posting it tonight it appears on yesterday's so easily missed!). We miss logging in to your website now but avidly followed your remarkable progress throughout your challenge. Great you managed to get to the pole with Chris and Tony, albeit aided! Good luck with the south pole challenge later this year! Helen Haile

By Jonathan and Helen Haile on Wednesday, 12 May - 07:21 pm -0700

# A Pub just off Scrubs Lane!

Staring out of a shoebox office overlooking West London, I suddenly realised that all those fresh green trees that I can see would have been wintery skeletons when you left. Unfortunately that's the sort of thing that goes throuh you mind when you are trying to mull over your amazing (I couldn't spell unparallelled) achievement!
Oh yeah! The point! I went to this pub for the first time yesterday and began to tell your tale of derring doo. I was interrupted as they wondered if I had noticed the name of the pub... I hadn't!! You'll never guess!! Or perhaps you might!!
Keep eating the pepparami!

By Antony (KatieB's fella) on Wednesday, 12 May - 07:06 pm -0700

# There is still time

Don't give up Ben, you still have time to make it to Canada if you really want it enough. In 1995 Webber and Malakov reached the pole on May 12th, a day later than you and made it back to Ward Hunt in mid June. It can be done you just need the will and a lot of nerve!

By Jimbo on Wednesday, 12 May - 06:22 pm -0700

# Pies!

mmmmmmmm, pie........

It's been a while since he saw one of those!

Ken. (Superflid)

By Ken Powell on Wednesday, 12 May - 05:53 pm -0700

# ;)

/haven't seen a Dokic up there have you Ben :)

By Pies on Wednesday, 12 May - 05:48 pm -0700

# welcome to our hemisphere!

Way to Go Ben! I'm so excited you're hanging on this hemisphere and coming south now. I admire your attitude.

By brian on Wednesday, 12 May - 05:39 pm -0700

# Back at it.

Heading South instead of North, yet still heading in the same direction. I can see a few interesting jokes or puzzles based on that truth. For instance:

The wind was from the West,
and West steered we.
But the wind was from the East,
How can that be?

ANSWER: The skipper's name was Jim West.

Have a great day, Ben.

By George Fudge on Wednesday, 12 May - 05:14 pm -0700

# Bye

Glad we had a nice visit. Short, but real nice

-Santa-

By Santa on Wednesday, 12 May - 04:52 pm -0700

# Serco ROCKS...

...to give you this opportunity, Ben! And I thank them as well for making all this possible, because ultimately, they helped kickstart my dreams to become plans in an indirect way...they did!

I'm amazed that your attitude and motivation has not faltered at all! I don't even know what to say about it! HOW DO YOU DO IT???!! LOL!!! I've got to get back to class, but I couldn't wait one more minute to check your latest! I'll try to check in later!

Press on, Ben! You're doing a fantabulous job!! I wish you the finest weather!

Nikki

By Nikki on Wednesday, 12 May - 04:49 pm -0700

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.

A perfect day

A perfect day - Monday, 10th May 2004

First of all, it's Tony's birthday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Tony first emailed me, completely out of the blue, just over a year ago. At the time I mistakenly assumed he was a potential sponsor - when it turned out he didn't have any money we lost touch ...read more

On top of the world!

On top of the world! - Tuesday, 11th May 2004

Ninety degrees north. The axis of the earth's rotation. All the lines of longitude and all the time zones converge here. The North Geographic Pole. I've had 68 days to rehearse a speech, yet when I turned on the video camera and counted down the ...read more

Heading south

Heading south - Wednesday, 12th May 2004

Well, things aren't much different here on the other side of the world. I'm still heading in roughly the same direction, although north has become south and east has become west, if that makes sense... I'm also living and navigating in Russian ...

Taxi!

Taxi! - Thursday, 13th May 2004

Who needs reality tv when you've got this expedition to follow, eh? It's all happening up here - I've been speaking with Kenn Borek Air and they're very concerned about the ice and weather conditions (join the club!) With bad weather possibly on ...read more

A quick update...

A quick update... - Friday, 14th May 2004

Oh the guilt! The shame! I often say that part of my motivation is to encourage other young people away from the tv and computer games and into the great outdoors. And how am I whiling away my last few hours (hopefully) in this incredible ...read more

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“Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.” - Steven Wright