Thank you to all of our well-wishers on this difficult day, your continued support means a tremendous amount to the entire team both in Antarctica and in the UK.

Sir Ranulph’s departure from the ice will be the first of no doubt many trials the Ice Team will have to surmount in coming months if they are to succeed in this epic challenge. They are a strong and experienced group, and those of us not on the ice have every faith that they will persevere regardless, and will make Ran and everybody else very proud of them.

Best wishes,

Tris, Hugh and everyone at Operations HQ, London