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34
Antarctic Exploration
The Siege of the South Pole
T
he British wanted to be the first at the South Pole. They
sent an expedition commanded by a young naval
lieutenant called Robert Falcon Scott. Scott attempted to
sledge to the Pole in 1902. The first stage was across the Ross
Ice Shelf, known then as the Great Ice Barrier. Then he had
to cross a mountain chain to reach the inland ice plateau. No
one knew what lay beyond.
Scott with Ernest Shackleton and Edward Wilson
(see page 37) sledded to 82° 16’S. Their food ran low
and Shackleton was so ill from scurvy that Scott feared for
his life. They turned back.
The Plateau
Shackleton returned in 1908. He took just 29 days to pass
the earlier record by using ponies to pull the sleds.
Climbing a mountain a week later he looked down on the
largest glacier ever seen. It flowed from the inland plateau
down into the Barrier and it was the way to the Pole.
On the plateau, Shackleton had to turn back on
January 7, 1909, just 111 miles (180 km) from the Pole. They
had been eating half-rations for days and could go no further.
S
cott and Amundsen
took different routes to
the South Pole.
H
uts were built to
withstand Antarctic
weather. During winter
explorers’ equipment
was prepared.
S
cott took Siberian
ponies for his
expedition. They needed
exercising during
the winter.