Arctic Expedition Update–Santa Claus Wins: It’s been quite a while since TWC checked in on Wave Vidmar and Ben Saunders, who have been slogging their way North and suffering with every step. Wave wanted to be the first American to get to the Pole solo and unsupported. But he ain’t gonna make it. The Russkies responsible for running the way station on top of the world where Arctic adventurers end up, as well as the transport back from it, have decided to close the base–called Borneo–next week. Wave’s nowhere near the Pole (in part because those same Russkies wasted a lot of time getting Wave and the other adventurers to the jumpoff point by trying to screw more money out of them), so if he kept going he’d have no way to get home. Plus, the guy has been massively dinged up with a variety of injuries which include a damaged ankle (maybe broken) and a pair of eyes that are mostly swollen shut (possibly from infection caused by frostbite). Doesn’t Arctic adventuring sound fun.

Ben Saunders, who aimed to go solo and unsupported all the way across the Arctic Ocean via the North Pole, is continuing on. But thanks to his slow progress he has decided to accept resupply from the air. So he’s still adventuring, but won’t hit his target either. Add this to the fact that Dominick Arduin has disappeared and is presumed dead, and Frederic Chamard-Boudet fell into an open lead and had to be airlifted out with severe frostbite, and you have a petty grim picture. The Arctic is a real bitch. Only the toughest of the tough need apply….



Wave’s Pug: “I fought the Arctic and the Arctic won…”

(Photo Via Explorer’s Web)