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Dispatches: "Six hours, if we live..." - Monday, 23rd February 2004

I remember telling a reporter at Heathrow airport on Saturday morning that I felt 'stressed out' as we waited to board our flight to Moscow. My concept of what could be considered high levels of stress changed rapidly over the ensuing day.

After a 23-hour journey to the outermost reaches of northern Siberia (currently a nostril-freezing -35°C), we feel we should pass on the following points to anyone considering such a voyage:

1) 21 bags of kit several hundred kilos over the limit should not be considered something the BA check-in desk 'just won't notice'.
2) If you arrive at Moscow airport with high explosives, satellite communications equipment, controlled medicines and several cases of camera gear (with no filming permit), barging through the nothing to declare channel professing a complete inability to understand the language works far more effectively than any attempt to negotiate or follow the rules.
3) The knowledge that regional carrier KrasAir is pronounced CrashAir should be restricted to a small group of people who are either drunk, sedated or complete strangers to the English language. Do not assume that your camera crew are drunk, that is their natural demeanour.
4) If, after boarding a clapped out 'vintage' Tupolov, you are told that 'the flight will take six hours... if we live' take full advantage of the vodka ploughman's brunch available.

These handy tips should ensure a hassle-free journey and a safe arrival.

Visitor Comments

# hi

hi my name is lisa

By lisa on Thursday, 22 April - 03:37 pm -0700

# Khantga is cool

Had a pleasant stay there a coulm=ple of years ago...

http://www.icetrek.com/northpole/icepix/html/DSCN0495.html

http://www.icetrek.com/northpole/icepix/html/DSCN0319.html

By Peter Harding on Wednesday, 3 March - 01:49 pm -0800

# Hoping that your one paire of pants are Thermal!

Dear Ben,
Thank you so much for taking time to come and see us at Danes Hill School just before your departure. We are all so excited for you and your speech was truly inspireing to both children and teachers! We will be following your progress and wishing this trip is everything you dream of!
Here is to your safe return in spring, cheers! (glass of wine on the go!)
Come back safe and tell us all about it.

Warm thoughts from Camilla and everyone in Year Two.

By Camilla Leistiko, Danes Hill School on Saturday, 28 February - 08:29 pm -0800

# This will definitely be one to tell the grand- kids!!

What an amazing adventure...wish you all the luck.
God speed!

By Claire Booth (Dan's girlfriend!) on Thursday, 26 February - 07:37 pm -0800

# Go lightly and make haste.

Ben,
Everyone is amazed at your passion and endeavour, and more and more people will be following your progress. See you on the other side.
David and everyone at London Fitness

By David Butler on Wednesday, 25 February - 05:43 pm -0800

# Expedition for a True cause

All the success Mr. Ben Saunders for your expedition for a true cause.

Good Luck!

Nazar

By V.T.M.A. Nazar, ATCA, Serco_IAL, Al-Ain, U.A.E. on Wednesday, 25 February - 11:02 am -0800

# Thinking of you

Hi There, the company is strong and having read your mission I am sure you are. I will be thinking and praying for you. Keep smiling with your determination YOU will do it. Good Luck and Best Wishes.

By Peter Goddard on Wednesday, 25 February - 10:08 am -0800

# Camera Crew

I am amazed that Sony equipment still works at such temperatures, let alone video tape. I agree with your regarding the demeanor of Camera Crews.
Good Luck
Nigel (Dan, your cameraman`s,) Dad!

By Nigel Spong on Tuesday, 24 February - 10:44 pm -0800

# Hardest part is complete "the planning"

Never give up! "Winston Churchill"

By Adrian Fetherston on Tuesday, 24 February - 08:11 pm -0800

# Keeping Track

Saw your piece in the Times last week. We have all been inspired and impressed by your talks over the past couple of years. Hope that all goes well and that you reach Canada safely. We will be following your progress with interest. Very Best wishes for a successful journey and a safe return. Good Luck.
Kingsbury Sixth Form

By David Edmondson on Tuesday, 24 February - 01:26 pm -0800

# ......Ooooh....blimey!!!!

....hope you've finally managed to reach the stress free tranquility of your more peacefull wilderness. KNow what you mean about Rusky (or even rusty) aircraft......bit like Cuban cars.....good job they have fantastic pilots.

Good luck and we'll speak when you get back.

By Mark of "The Four Yorkshiremen" on Tuesday, 24 February - 09:55 am -0800

# A message from 5ELB Danes Hill School.

Good luck on your trip. We were just wondering how do you think this trip will change you?

By 5ELB Danes Hill School on Tuesday, 24 February - 08:51 am -0800

# The best of luck :)

Found the site via a css link archive - just spent the last 10 minutes or so hopping around and reading.

I'm sure you've already got plenty of these, but I guess you can never really have too much "Good Luck!"

By Brian Andersen on Monday, 23 February - 10:34 pm -0800

# ...having lived through that, the rest should be easy!

Fantastic to be able to bid you and the 21 bags of kit farewell from Heathrow. GREAT to hear of your (eventual) safe arrival in Siberia.... Hope the final helicopter stage is less 'stressful' and that the pilot has been let into the secret of all that weighty contraband. Good luck!

By Jonathan and Helen Haile on Monday, 23 February - 10:01 pm -0800

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.

The war on weight

The war on weight - Saturday, 14th February 2004

It's one week to go and I'm starting to feel like getting out on the Ice will be a relaxing break. During the day, there are Russian visas, film crew itineraries and kit deliveries to deal with. At night we lock ourselves away with scissors, drills, ...read more

Sleepless nights

Sleepless nights - Friday, 20th February 2004

I wouldn't say I've quite reached a state of outright panic, but things are getting more surreal by the minute. Tony (my expedition manager) and the incredible Babs Powell worked through the entire night, weighing, sorting & packing food. I feel ...read more

"Six hours, if we live..."

"Six hours, if we live..." - Monday, 23rd February 2004

I remember telling a reporter at Heathrow airport on Saturday morning that I felt 'stressed out' as we waited to board our flight to Moscow. My concept of what could be considered high levels of stress changed rapidly over the ensuing day. After ...

The pressure's on!

The pressure's on! - Wednesday, 25th February 2004

Apparently 4,500 people live in Khatanga, the frozen fishing town where we have been based for the last 48 hours, but you wouldn't know it. The whole place seems in hibernation, except for three children dressed in oversize coats kicking a football ...read more

ANOTHER day in paradise

ANOTHER day in paradise - Saturday, 28th February 2004

I'm starting to wonder if we'll ever leave Khatanga. One of the joys of being solo on the ice (if I ever get there!) is that I'm entirely in charge of my own destiny. Right now, that couldn't be further from the case - our stay in the frozen town ...read more

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“Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing” - Helen Keller