Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Canberra—my sisters and other brothers, and my mum. I've received
scores of calls from Australian TV networks, radio stations and news-
papers wanting to set up more interviews. I can't deal with them all,
but I'll do my best—anything to get the message out there.
It was so good to take off all my polar gear. It is wonderful to know
that I will never in my life put it on again.
I have lost track of time. I lie here in the tent feeling more content
in my heart and soul than I have since I set off from the North Pole
ten months ago. Of course there is still work to do but so far, so good.
So very good. I have raised donations for the Red Cross, I have been
tough and strong and done what I said I'd do. I know myself better
than I ever have and I believe I have found my essence. Best of all, I
am loved by those I love. There will be challenges ahead. I know that
after surviving this run I will never be able to settle for a quiet life. Yet
whatever life brings, success or failure or something in between, I'll
always have Pole to Pole.
January 19
Bad weather prevented us flying out from the pole today—it was sim-
ply too dangerous—so I spent the day trying to organise the logistics
of getting back on the road in Chile. I have 2000 kilometres still to
run, perhaps more, depending on the roads, from just south of Puerto
Montt, in Chile, to my final finish line in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, at
the bottom of Argentina. My route will take me over the mountains
from Chile into Argentina, and then I'll zigzag between the two coun-
tries, taking the route of least resistance to Ushuaia. The logistics are
tricky, because with each border crossing come the bureaucracy of
customs and having to produce documents and explain to incredu-
lous officials, for the millionth time, what I am doing. There is also
the question of what vehicle will accompany me. Do Katie and Javier
Trujillo (our Mexican cameraman, who will return to be with us at the
end) drive the fuel-guzzling van we've been using since Canada, or
do we rent another vehicle? I am looking forward to catching up with
Katie and hearing about her travels in Buenos Aires and Brazil.
I had a chance to check out the United States base. Some
250 people live here in summer and 150 in winter, when it is dark
for 24 hours a day. The airport can handle jumbo jets but almost
