Penguin Echo have stormed 16NM northwards today to reach 89 44N, 73 14W: 399 miles done; just 16 miles to go.

Matty McNair, Denise Martin, Caroline Hamilton, Pom Oliver, Zoe Hudson and Lucy Roberts are all in good shape and high spirits ... and they are on the threshold of some remarkable achievements. The first all-women expedition to the North Geographic Pole, incorporating the first two women to have ever travelled the whole way on foot, without dogs or machines (our guides - Matty McNair and Denise Martin), and one of the largest (22 women), and most complex, North Pole expeditions since the turn of the century.

Every Penguin Team - Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta - has had its special task to complete, and done so with flying colours. Every individual has risen to the challenge she faced with considerable courage and good nature. It was never easy for them, and often it was desperate as you may hear and read in the weeks and months that follow (and hopefully in the book Caroline Hamilton plans to write about the whole project); but they never gave in, and we, at the base, salute every one of them.