Early Adventurers In Antarctica
In 1912, Captain Robert Falcon Scott was making the long trek back from the South Pole, when he and his companions met their doom.Suffering from hypothermia and starvation, Captain Scott and the individuals accompanying him, met their death.Because of his ambition and persistence, and even though he lost the race to the South Pole and perished, he is known as a national hero.
Because of several studies conducted through the years, we now know what types of severe conditions to expect when exploring Antarctica. During the winter the temperature can become as low as -90? celsius with the wind becoming as fiece as 67 hm an hour.Scott most likely faced these conditions but he was not educated in the extent of the dangers.antarctic tours
Examining the letters Scott wrote to his wife as he worked as a scientists on the continent one can see the isolation he was feeling there.Even scientists today using modern communication devices feel this overwhelming isolation.When Scott died, he left behind his wife and young son.
His body and letters written for his wife weren’t discovered until many months after he died.Scott’s body was found 11 miles from his camp.The wife-made-widow of Captain Scott was waiting in New Zealand from him when she was made aware of his passing.
Scott’s letters to his wife can enlighten historians.When he first began his expedition, Scott told his wife in his letter how great he felt physically and how much he enjoyed a hot meal. There was not much complaining going on about the cold, seemed that the warm food made up for it.trips to antarctica
Scott’s position began to change as the trip dragged on and food supplies began to run low.He talked about the unwavering cold conditions.When Scott and his men were found, they had only one hot meal and two days worth of cold meals left for the remaining 11 miles, testament to the severe hunger they experienced.
Though Scott was one of the great explorers of his age, his last expedition seemed destined to fail.First off, he lost his race to the South Pole to a Norwegian named Roald Amundsen.Scott and his team arrived at the South Pole on January 18, 1912, while Amundsen arrived almost a month earlier on December 21, 1911.
Scott was referred to as a national hero due to his previous explorations of Antartic during the years 1902-1904.Nearing the end of the 1912 expedition, along with Lt. Henry Bowers and Dr. Edward Wilson, he fought for survival until the very end.Unfortunately, two other men, Petty Officer Edgar Evans and Captain Lawrence Oats perished before they could make it.
Food supplies for the journey were reserved when they were a mere 20 miles from a shelter.The small group was down to the last of their food and fuel.Scott’s letters instructed his wife to find love again in the event of his demise. He also spoke of seventy degrees below zero air temperatures and having nothing to provide shelter besides a flimsy tent.
Scott was careful to express that he held no regrets in his undertaking of this journey.Instead, he said it far outweighed relaxing at home.Throughout the years that have followed, many Brits young and old, have been encouraged by Scott’s endearing will and perseverance.
Roald Amundsen beat Captain Robert Scott’s team to the South Pole by several weeks.He is said to have died on March 29, 1912.Published as “Scott’s Last Expedition,” his journals are available for study.
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