Børge Ousland

Now we are finally here – at the North Pole! We’re exhausted, but extremely satisfied and overjoyed in reaching our goal. This has been an incredibly tough journey; but it’s been tough in a good way – because we have managed to deal with all of the difficulties that we have encountered on the way. We have stood together and worked hard.

I am really grateful to have been here together with Mike! He is one of the strongest people, both mentally and physically, that I have ever been on an expedition with. And it is because we have played on each other’s strength that we have managed to complete this journey. Neither of us would have had a chance to go it alone. Since Day One it has been a question of teamwork; we have built this expedition stone by stone, so to speak. Mike and I have strived for a common goal. That’s why it feels great to be far closer friends than before we left. We’ve done it together!

You no doubt notice the great joy in this message, after all the difficulties we have been through. I must admit there were times when I was unsure whether we would reach the goal – but not once did we consider giving up. We followed our plan, seeing how long our food would take us.

Today is Day 61 of this expedition. It is the 23rd of March – and that is precisely the day we planned on arriving! This is the day the Russians are once again establishing Camp Borneo. And during these days now, the sun returns to the North Pole. This all sets a beautiful frame for our expedition; we started in darkness, and could finally enjoy a couple of days of midnight sun, just before completing the journey.

I would really like to thank everyone who has followed our expedition. Thank you for great support, good thoughts and the many wishes people have sent us. I am very grateful for that support and the interest. I know it may seem utterly senseless to head out on an expedition such as this, surrounded by the ice and cold. But nevertheless, I do hope that what we are doing here – stretching ourselves to reach our goal – may inspire someone to follow their dream.

Thank you for joining me on the journey.

Børge and Mike have arrived safely at 90 degrees latitude – better known as the North Pole.

“This journey has been so tough that I think it will be a very long time until someone tries to repeat our expedition,” says Børge Ousland. He is tired after the hardship both of them have been through, but spirits is high and his friend and expedition partner Mike Horn is in much better than a couple of days ago.

At this moment they’re setting up their tent and establishing their camp.

“I’ll give you the details later. There’s a long list of people that I have promised to call. And I’ll soon send some more photos.”

Well, we congratulate them – hoping they will also have time for a good, relaxed dinner. Rumour has it that they have been saving their victory cake for a very long time, and it is high time to thaw it! Tomorrow will be a well-deserved day of rest – their first in more than a month.