22Mar2010 CountdownI seem to specialise in pulling expeditions together at the last minute. I’ve never been a worrier, and the teachers of the boyhood me would, I fear, not be surprised that I still wing it optimistically from time to time, pulling an all-nighter before the exam rather than studying diligently.
17Mar2010 FanfareWell, we’ve made it to Ottawa, which even three months ago would have seemed a laughable suggestion. Drifting in the doldrums of post-recession sponsorship hunting, the prospects for a return to the Arctic Ocean had never seemed bleaker, and at every rebuttal and rejection – the sails hanging limp and lifeless – I questioned whether I was foolish to still be pointing the rudder in this direction. Sat here now, on the verge of once again crossing the Arctic Circle tomorrow morning, I’m glad we didn’t waver too far off course. I’ll say one thing about the dark days that have passed, though: you learn a lot about who your friends are. I’m utterly indebted to a fantastic group of people that have stuck with me, and helped breathe life into this colossal project. Alistair Watkins and Stuart Dyble at Influence, and Gary Knight at Land Rover are at the top of that list. Thank you all.
About this journalThis journal is coming to you from the high Arctic, where Ben Saunders is attempting to set a new world speed record from Ward Hunt Island to the Geographic North Pole. The current record was set in 2005 by a guided team using dog sleds and numerous re-supplies in a time of 36 days 22 hours. Ben’s expedition will be solo and unsupported and on foot. Read more about the expedition and Ben
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