North Pole Speed Record

Eureka!

Posted on 24^th March, 2008 By Ben Saunders ~ 11 comments

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Well, I’m not where I thought I’d be this evening. We took off as planned from Resolute Bay first thing this morning, but the tiny Twin Otter plane that was due to carry me up to Ward Hunt Island (the start point for my expedition) developed a mechanical problem as we stopped to refuel at a small weather station called Eureka, and I’m still sat here now!

The good news is that Eureka is more like a small hotel than the shed with a satellite dish on top that I'd imagined; I've been reading about Eureka for years - staying here seems to be a polar rite of passage, and one that had passed me by until now. The bad news is that Andy, Martin and Adam have flown back to Resolute Bay for tonight - I'm hoping they can fly up tomorrow on the plane that will take me on to Ward Hunt Island, but we said a kind of stilted, half-hearted goodbye, standing on the windswept runway, just in case they can't.

And suddenly I was alone. Not, as I'd imagined it, facing the vast might of the Arctic Ocean with my back to the Canadian coastline and my heart in my mouth, but standing on my own in a stuffy, disused room with mattresses piled high on old beds, my sledge dripping onto the carpet as the snow melted. I only had a second to feel glum, though - Al, the base manager here, is a wonderful host, and I sat down to an enormous supper, surrounded by scientists, weather researchers and technicians.

If all goes well, I'll be dropped off tomorrow (Monday) morning. More soon...

Comments

1. 

   By Simon and Margaret on 24^th March, 2008

   Eureka hah!  Two things to remember:
   1. Archimedes realised that the volume of an irregular form could be calculated by displacement in water.  Moral: keep eating and replacing all those calories lost.
   2. Archimedes on discovering above ran through the streets of Syracuse naked as he leapt from his bath.  Moral: keep your clothes on in the arctic!
   All the best for the final off.

2. 

   By Mark Linder on 24^th March, 2008

   Ben, there is no one with better mental preparedness than you. You eat setbacks for breakfast, along with the calories Simon and Margaret mention. Good travels tomorrow, and thereafter!

3. 

   By Alison Lowndes on 24^th March, 2008

   Life always throws you curves .. if you’re ever feeling a bit low, Ben, throw some back .. but lest we forget .. zig-zagging aint gonna help you win.
   (are you out there yet ?? maybe not .. its 10.30UT so thats 04.30 in your patch, oh & a mere -40C so I read .. brrrrrr).
   Go kick some pure frozen ass !

4. 

   By Moki Kokoris on 24^th March, 2008

   Persistence and determination are omnipotent, and you, Ben, possess both in abundance. Technical difficulties behind you, once the Big Ice is yours - so will be the horizon and at its edge your goal. PRESS ON!

   You are on the springboard now.... and the final countdown has begun.

   10, 9, 8, 7..... you know the rest!

5. 

   By Alison Lowndes on 24^th March, 2008

   This comments list is a real who’s who (bar little me)!
   I just YESTERDAY read Dixie Dansercoer’s article in New Scientist (I’m a little behind in my reading 17 Nov 2007 issue) .. excellent read and very aptly timed.

6. 

   By Dixie Dansercoer on 24^th March, 2008

   God speed, Ben!

   Away from record seeking attempts (difficult to come up with ‘competition’ in an arena that does not allow it) I wish you private moments of truth and personal enrichment that last a lifetime.

   Dixie Dansercoer

7. 

   By Alison Lowndes on 24^th March, 2008

   Ben,
   I can only assume you’re en route .. just wanted to let you know you’re making a difference already .. I spent the afternoon (its 17:30 here in UK) chatting with Moki Kokoris about Alex in Dyffryn and girl stuff .. we’re hopefully organising a UK tour of schools with her excellent Climate Change programme [http://90-north.com/academic.html] .. so .. before you even started there’s going to be a thousand or so more kids introduced to the wonders and issues of the Arctic. That’s networking !!
   Best Wishes .. Hannah made it back safe to Ellesmere Island incase you haven’t heard.

8. 

   By Simon Jones on 24^th March, 2008

   You know when people say “God speed”, I’ve always wonder, exactly how fast is that? :-)

9. 

   By Simon Campbell on 24^th March, 2008

   I am in awe, waiting with bated breath till the next episode!

10. 

    By karah marie on 24^th March, 2008

    oh jeez oh jeez oh jeez it’s started!

    Bestest of luck, Ben of the North. This makes me so nervous for you, I very much want to beg you to be careful - but one can’t say that to an explorer, can one? 

    You haven’t the faintest who I am, but I’ll be thinking of you.

11. 

    By Ben Saunders on 25^th March, 2008

    Thanks everyone. Still on the springboard, I’m afraid - problems with today’s flight and it looks like I’ll fly tomorrow (Tues) am. I’ll write an update in a sec - I need to speak to the weather man again first…