So, this morning in Yellowknife it was -39C. I won’t even moan because BH is in the high Arctic at the moment and I’m sure it’s colder there. Besides, today he flew over Ben Saunders’ camp and life for Ben must be tough right about now.
Who is Ben Saunders and what is he doing? From his website:
Ben Saunders is a record-breaking long-distance skier, with three North Pole expeditions under his belt. He is the youngest to ski solo to the North Pole and holds the record for the longest solo Arctic journey by a Briton. Since 2001, Ben has skied more than 2,500km (1,500 miles) in the high Arctic, which he recently worked out equates to two percent of his entire life living in a tent.
His aim is to set a new world speed record from Ward Hunt Island to the Geographic North Pole….
The Cold Facts
- Distance: 478 miles
- Duration: ~30 days. Start date 26th March 2008.
- Sledge weight: 60kg
- Temperature range: -50 to -5˚C. Wind chill as low as -70˚C.
- Hazards: Thin ice, open water, polar bears, frostbite, hypothermia, equipment failure, injury
- Start point: Ben will be dropped by a Twin Otter ski-plane at Ward Hunt Island, Northern Canada – N83° 05’ and will to ski from there on to the pack ice of the Arctic Ocean
- Finish: Ben aims to reach the Geographic North Pole – N90˚
- Communications: Ben is equipped with an Iridium satellite phone and an ARGOS satellite beacon that allows the support team to monitor his position and status.
- Calorie intake: 5,946 kcal/day
If you’d like a little glimpse into what Ben’s world is like right now, click here. Brrrrrr!
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