North Pole Speed Record

Every Stride

Posted on 27^th March, 2008 By Ben Saunders ~ 17 comments

« Previous post Next post »

Pen Hadow (the only person in history to have made it to the North Pole from Canada alone and without support) sent me a hugely inspiring note just before I left. In it he talked about the importance of making every stride count, a thought that spurred me on for much of today.

And it was day that has, on the whole, been hellishly tough. The entire place is smashed up, and when I do stumble across an old, flat bit (like the one I'm parked on in the photo) it's usually covered in thigh-deep snow.

The visibility decreased this afternoon as a bank of low cloud scuttled in, and the ice was bathed in a flat, contrast-free light that seems peculiar to the Arctic Ocean. As a result, I started falling over on a regular basis, and I'd forgotten the irrational, primeval fear that comes with lying flat on your arse in a tangle of skis, poles and knotted trace (the rope that connects me to my sledge).

At ground level (or sea level to be precise - I won't touch the ground for a few weeks) you can't see very far, and if you've stacked it with any style, you'll be unable to move without extricating yourself from your kit. My usual reaction is then to panic; convinced that this is the one moment that Mr. Bear will come wandering along, or that the ice will start rumbling as some huge pressure ridge erupts underneath me.

The exact opposite of this feeling is the behold!-master-of-all-he-surveys sensation of standing on the top of a big ridge, preferably in that hands-on-hips flag-planting pose. The thrill of being here is difficult to describe - it's such a formidable, hostile environment that my flimsy tent and puny clothing should be no match for it. And yet somehow they are, and right now, further north than any other human being in the world, my little speck of heat is inching toward the Pole.

Nearly eight miles today, which I'm prettyl proud of. Today is dedicated to Mike Gumm, for going way beyond the call of duty in helping get this crazy dream off the ground. Thanks Mike.

Apparently a few of you have asked what I'm eating - I'll write about that tomorrow...

Comments

1. 

   By Nikki on 28^th March, 2008

   Let me guess...curry chicken?  ;-)

2. 

   By Tom Gurnee on 28^th March, 2008

   8 miles!  A sweet day indeed!  Keep the faith, brother.  Draw upon all of the positive energy that all of us who are watching you, are sending your way.  We, and the Man upstairs, will help keep the polar bears away.  Just keep on keepin on!

   “Our friends make us feel understood. And strengthened. And loved. Most of all, they make us feel connected.” Oprah

3. 

   By Simon Jones on 28^th March, 2008

   Make every stride count. I like that, I think that can be applied to anywhere and any time of ones life. Kudos to Pen for that one, I too will remember that.

   Well done today Ben!

4. 

   By Tony on 28^th March, 2008

   To do 8 miles in the first degree on one day is huge mate. Well done!

5. 

   By Roger Laing on 28^th March, 2008

   Congratulations Ben and God speed. | was backcountry skiing in Canada this week and thinking of you as I struugled over the passes. You were my inspiration. I will follow your progress with Interst.

6. 

   By Paul Bower on 28^th March, 2008

   Well done, Ben, what did your school report say! I bet he’s eating his words now.
   Keep the faith and push on.

7. 

   By Alison Lowndes on 28^th March, 2008

   You have an amazing literary ability .. I guess being out there alone with nothing but your thoughts teaches you to express yourself fluently .. your conversations with self must be wonderful ;-)
   Well, I, and many many others, Ben, are hanging on every word. I don’t mind admitting that of my current life activities my favourite for each new day is reading your Journal.

   “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
   Ralph Waldo Emerson

8. 

   By rob holden on 28^th March, 2008

   Ben

   brilliant effort and a great start. watching with massive intrest.

   best wishes

   rob

9. 

   By Goran Smiljanic on 28^th March, 2008

   Keep the faith! We are all with you!

10. 

    By Doug on 28^th March, 2008

    Hi Ben,

    Sending you lots of good energy. You’re a remarkable guy doing a remarkable thing, and I’ll be checking in on you every day, remember how my frustrations and challenges are so relatively tiny compared to yours.

    Best speed,
    Doug

    “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.”

    -Antoine de Saint-Exupery
    French Writer and Aviator

11. 

    By Nick Hancock on 28^th March, 2008

    Ben,

    I hope today (Friday 28th) is going as well as yesterday. I’m sat at my desk in a gloomy, wet London reading your blogs over again and mentally pushing you on.

    I started this week with a comparatively meagre 4.5 hours in thigh deep snow up a Munroe in Scotland. That was tough enough even knowing I had a nice warm cottage to return to.

    9 hours a day for another 20 odd days with over 7 times the weight! Mate good on you, keep pulling. I can’t wait to get back to my desk on Monday to see how far you’ve pushed on over the weekend.

    God speed!

    Nick

12. 

    By Moki Kokoris on 28^th March, 2008

    Ben, you have many eyes on you - some of them belonging to young students who through me are following you as their role model. You are showing them that even against seemingly insurmountable odds and conditions - yes, even bears - every dream is worth pursuing.

    If thoughts were visible, you’d be surrounded by swirls of positive energy to help you press on! So....

    PRESS ON!

13. 

    By Amy Tennant on 28^th March, 2008

    Hi Ben,
    I came across you when i was researching on the internet for some information about a project i have got to do for uni. I started watching your video about your previous trip to the north pole etc, and couldnt believe that on the day i descovered who you were, i discovered you were setting off on yet another expedition on that day, ...weird! you are a very interesting and driven individual, and you inspire me to keep on working hard, and in the end i know i can accomplish my goals. I will be watching your progress, and along with many other prople,sending positive thoughts and prayers your way! x

    Amy

14. 

    By Marc Tyler on 28^th March, 2008

    ‘Polar huller’ ( wrong spelling I’m sure) ; a desire for extremely cold places as the Norwegians put it, is a term I know you are familiar with. You’re certainly getting your ‘fix’ now and having spent a few nights in sub-zero conditions myself, albeit -20c, I have admiration for you beyond words. Let battle commence Ben !  Stay injury free.........

15. 

    By clive on 29^th March, 2008

    Well done Ben.  This web blog is going to be a regular event in our household from now on.  My kids are excited to hear and read about your progress and we wish you every success.  Please consider me for the soundtrack for any documentary or film you may want to do when you return.... I’ll do a great job!  In the meantime, take care and kepp on keeping on.  Regards and much respect, Clive.

16. 

    By Megan Clarke on 29^th March, 2008

    Dear ben,
    i have met you before and you was talking about your experince and me and our school Walton Girls high school is proud and thinking about all the way we wish you well and we no that you will beat this record by foot we are deleted for you how much you have achived i have come on this website everydaay and 8 miles in the degree, WOW amazind how do you do and i heard about the delay because of the flying problem well just to let you no thatwe are all thinking about you in lincolnshire we are wishing you all the best .
    P.S you can achive it!!!!
    bye megan clarke x

17. 

    By haiming webhosting reviews on 07^th May, 2008

    curry chicken?yeah?

Day’s Statistics ~ 27/03/08