Blue Peter: Helen's South Pole Diary

We made it to the South Pole and we're very happy! Thank you for all your support along the way - reading your messages really helped me, especially when I was feeling down.

I hope I've inspired you to enter the Sport Relief Mile. If I can go for 500 miles, why not try one mile yourself and help raise money for Sport Relief 2012.

Overall stats:

Miles on kite: 329 (8 days)
Miles on bike: 103 (7 days)
Miles on skis: 68 (3 days)
 
Helen x

I finally reached the South Pole at 11.40 this morning!

More to come when I get the chance...

Helen and the team x

When I started my polar challenge I said I wanted to do it 20 days. Don't ask me where I got that from, but that was my target. I can honestly say I think we will make it. There's still a long way to go so I don't want to sound too confident.

There's now just under 100 miles to go, but that's nothing to get giddy about. Until we reach about 60 miles out (the 89th degree) I can't get too excited.

Miles travelled today: 17
Outside temperature today: -41°C

Helen x

I cried for the first time this morning and immediately regretted it. I was feeling the pressure of the crew and the expectations of Blue Peter and Sport Relief. This is tough but there's not long left - a week at most.

Today, on the 100th anniversary of Scott reaching the Pole, I realised more than ever that I am playing where a legend was written. It's a privilege, not a chore.

Helen x

In the day we snack on nuts, chocolate, sweets and cheese biltong (dried beef) as there's no time to stop and make lunch. It's all mixed up in a plastic bag so it's a bit of a lucky dip - you could pull out anything! But when you're cold and hungry you don’t care.

Today we tried to put regular breaks into our routine. We covered a reasonable amount of distance in some tricky snow, where the bikes don’t work too well.

Miles travelled today: 23
Temperature today: -30°C

Helen and the team x

Today it was back on the bikes, but before we left our camp we got a telling off from our support team... They'd watched me and Niklas the day before and said we were not taking enough breaks for food and water.  

We use loads of energy on the bikes so it's important that we keep fuelled-up. But the one thing I'm finding the most difficult out here is stopping to re-fuel. It's the one part of my Antarctic 'admin' I'm not very good at.

Helen and the team x

We had a ten hour day yesterday with the bikes. We went well and covered 10 miles quite quickly until we hit some soft snow which was game over. We ended up pushing the bikes for the last six miles to make sure we made the miles for the day.

This morning the snow conditions were no better so we had to push them again, not what you need in -23°C! So we took the decision to swap onto the skis, but progress has been slow.
 
Miles travelled today: 18
Temperature today: -30°C

Helen and the team x

While the wind has been good we’ve used the kites to cover lots of miles. Today it was time to cash in those miles and ditch the kites. I want to use the bikes and the skis from now on - a decision I may live to regret…

We set ourselves a 20 day target to reach the pole, meaning we've got to complete the rest of the distance in around 18-20 miles a day. It’s doable, but the next 8-9 days will be crucial.

Miles travelled today: 20
Temperature today: -45°C

Helen and the team x

It's a privilege to be in Antarctica but let's not forget the reason why I'm here: Sport Relief.

Last summer I visited Sierra Leone where I met children who don't have any fresh water. Being here has brought home how much we take water for granted. If I want a drink I have to dig out a lump of snow, then wait for it to melt.

I hope my challenge will inspire you to enter the Sport Relief Mile and raise money for people living tough lives in the UK and around the world.

Helen x

Here's a quick video of some of the stuff I've been doing - including footage of me crossing the line for my new world record!

Helen x

This morning we had a debate about what mode of transport we should take. The winds are supposed to drop the nearer you get to the pole, so Niklas won by saying we should use his big kites.

But after an hour and half the winds had dropped so much that we were hardly moving - so out came the trusted bikes. Progress has been slow today. We won’t be breaking any world records that's for sure...

Miles travelled today: 15
Temperature today: -20°C

Helen and the team x

Make sure you watch Blue Peter today at 5.45 on the CBBC Channel - I’ll hopefully be on the show to give you all an update from Antarctica.

Helen x

Today we’re resting at the half-way check point. It's time to sort through all our kit and collect our rations for the next stage of the challenge.
 
Niklas and I plan to spend a couple of nights camping without our crew over the next 10 days, so today we're going to be shown how to dig emergency snow holes. If our tent blows away or catches fire, the snow holes will keep us warm. Hopefully this won’t happen as both of us are well trained, but out here you prepare for the worst!
 
Helen and the team x

Back on the bikes today, as there was no wind. They performed really well and even Niklas (who thinks they're pretty silly) thought they were the best way to travel, given today's conditions.

We made the half-way camp in just over 7 hours - all by bike. Hurrah! I can’t get too excited as we've still got a lot of miles to cover (another 247 to get to the South Pole) but I'm chuffed we've got this far in just 7 days.  
 
Miles travelled today: 20
Temperature today: -23 °C

Helen and the team x

Before we rode out today our paramedic wanted to re-dress my blistered feet. The good news is they're getting better, but he advised that when I got to the half-way point I must soak my feet in hot water and take all the dead skin off – nice.

Speaking of hot water, I've been promised lots of it so I can have the first proper wash since arriving in Antarctica! I have to admit it - I stink.

As for my hair? Forget it. For filming I'm always wearing a hat. It's a mess!

Helen and the team x

Today we travelled 100km (63 miles) in just under 8 hours. This is the fastest time 100km has been completed using kite-skis!

The record attempt was totally unplanned but we were making great progress with the high winds so we decided to go for it. And don’t forget, we were also pulling our sledges behind us.

We should hit the halfway point of the challenge tomorrow and hopefully get back on the ice bikes.

Helen and the team x