Amundsen
Bjaaland and the others arrived in Bergen. Asked by the press about Scott, "[they] had little wish to make any comments, but they were all agreed that Scott had reached the Pole. On the other hand, they could not avoid the fear that he had not reached his main depot on the way back. In their view, winter had stopped him." [1]
"Scurvy, in their view," it was reported, "could also be a dangerous enemy. They would be extremely sorry if anything were to happen to him."
Notes:
[1] Bergens Tidende, 2 July, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.553.
Showing posts with label Bjaaland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bjaaland. Show all posts
July 2, 2012
June 16, 2012
Sunday, 16 June 1912
Amundsen
Amundsen holed up in one of his patron Don Pedro's estancias to write his book on the South Pole expedition. The Fram's departure for the Arctic was postponed due to lack of funds, and most of the crew made their own ways home by liner. Amundsen had not been able to afford to give them pocket money. "Broke and miserable," Bjaaland wrote at sea. "God knows when I shall have money as becomes a man." [1]
Notes:
[1] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 16 June, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.553.
Amundsen holed up in one of his patron Don Pedro's estancias to write his book on the South Pole expedition. The Fram's departure for the Arctic was postponed due to lack of funds, and most of the crew made their own ways home by liner. Amundsen had not been able to afford to give them pocket money. "Broke and miserable," Bjaaland wrote at sea. "God knows when I shall have money as becomes a man." [1]
Notes:
[1] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 16 June, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.553.
March 8, 2012
Friday, 8 March 1912
Scott
"Worse and worse in morning," Scott wrote, "poor Oates' left foot can never last out, and time over foot gear something awful.... We did 4 1/2 miles this morning and are now 8 1/2 miles from the depot -- a ridiculously small distance to feel in difficulties, yet on this surface we know we cannot equal half our old marches, and that for that effort we expend nearly double the energy. The great question is, What shall we find at the depot? If the dogs have visited it we may get along a good distance, but if there is another short allowance of fuel, God help us indeed. We are in a very bad way, I fear, in any case." [1]
The weather at One Ton remained bad, with a "good day" at -10° F (-23 C), and blowing most of the time. Cherry wrote in his diary, "-28 when we turned in & must have been -40 at least last night. This morning -28 & wind 4. It is a very cold wait -- waiting & thinking. I was so sure I saw them coming last night I nearly started to walk to them." [2]
Amundsen
Fram's crew upon arrival in Hobart. From left, in the back row, Hassel, Ludwig Hansen, Steller, Bjaaland, Kristensen, Rønne, Beck, Wisting, Halvorsen, Sundbeck; seated, Johansen, Prestrud, Amundsen, Nilsen, Gjertsen, Helmer Hanssen; in front, Lindstrøm, Stubberud, Karenius Olsen, A. Olsen. "Beattie's studios Hobart Tas." [3]
Helmer Hanssen, Amundsen, and Lindstrøm.
Hassel, Wisting, Amundsen, Bjaaland, and Helmer Hanssen. [4]
"Pole Attained Fourteenth-Seventeenth December 1911. All Well" ran headlines everywhere. "The whole world," said the New York Times, "has now been discovered." [5]
"On a day like this," exulted Aftenposten, a leading Christiania newspaper, "everything is changed.... It is more warmth and pride that we feel that we are all children of the same, happy country. Smiles are more frequent -- in bold mens' deeds we are richer and more united and happier. Ah yes -- at one blow, we are far forwards!" [6]
Helland-Hansen, though, wrote to Nansen that he could not understand "why people don't show more pleasure than they do." [7] Many Norwegians, it seemed, felt that Amundsen's accomplishment was a political mistake; one paper wrote, "We are glad that Roald Amundsen chose a new route to the South Pole, so that he avoided going directly in Scott's path. The English had the exclusive right to the route from McMurdo Sound. That was their opinion at any rate." [8] The Times, indeed, wrote a day later that the Norwegian expedition was "a mere dash for the Pole, designed to forestall the British expedition in the most spectacular, though not the most valuable part of the work." [9]
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 8 March, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] Apsley Cherry-Garrard, diary, 8 March, 1912, Scott Polar Research Institute.
[3] Roald Amundsen Bildearkiv, Nasjonalbiblioteket.
[4] "Tasmanian views, Edward Searle's album of photographs of Australia, Antarctica and the Pacific, 1911-1915", National Library of Australia.
[5] New York Times, 8 March, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.546.
[6] Aftenposten, 9 March, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.547.
[7] Bjørn Helland-Hansen, letter to Fridtjof Nansen, [date not given], quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.547.
[8] Norges Handels- og Sjøfartstidende, 9 March, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.547.
[9] The Times, 9 March, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.547.
"Worse and worse in morning," Scott wrote, "poor Oates' left foot can never last out, and time over foot gear something awful.... We did 4 1/2 miles this morning and are now 8 1/2 miles from the depot -- a ridiculously small distance to feel in difficulties, yet on this surface we know we cannot equal half our old marches, and that for that effort we expend nearly double the energy. The great question is, What shall we find at the depot? If the dogs have visited it we may get along a good distance, but if there is another short allowance of fuel, God help us indeed. We are in a very bad way, I fear, in any case." [1]
The weather at One Ton remained bad, with a "good day" at -10° F (-23 C), and blowing most of the time. Cherry wrote in his diary, "-28 when we turned in & must have been -40 at least last night. This morning -28 & wind 4. It is a very cold wait -- waiting & thinking. I was so sure I saw them coming last night I nearly started to walk to them." [2]
Amundsen
Fram's crew upon arrival in Hobart. From left, in the back row, Hassel, Ludwig Hansen, Steller, Bjaaland, Kristensen, Rønne, Beck, Wisting, Halvorsen, Sundbeck; seated, Johansen, Prestrud, Amundsen, Nilsen, Gjertsen, Helmer Hanssen; in front, Lindstrøm, Stubberud, Karenius Olsen, A. Olsen. "Beattie's studios Hobart Tas." [3]
Helmer Hanssen, Amundsen, and Lindstrøm. 
Hassel, Wisting, Amundsen, Bjaaland, and Helmer Hanssen. [4]"Pole Attained Fourteenth-Seventeenth December 1911. All Well" ran headlines everywhere. "The whole world," said the New York Times, "has now been discovered." [5]
"On a day like this," exulted Aftenposten, a leading Christiania newspaper, "everything is changed.... It is more warmth and pride that we feel that we are all children of the same, happy country. Smiles are more frequent -- in bold mens' deeds we are richer and more united and happier. Ah yes -- at one blow, we are far forwards!" [6]
Helland-Hansen, though, wrote to Nansen that he could not understand "why people don't show more pleasure than they do." [7] Many Norwegians, it seemed, felt that Amundsen's accomplishment was a political mistake; one paper wrote, "We are glad that Roald Amundsen chose a new route to the South Pole, so that he avoided going directly in Scott's path. The English had the exclusive right to the route from McMurdo Sound. That was their opinion at any rate." [8] The Times, indeed, wrote a day later that the Norwegian expedition was "a mere dash for the Pole, designed to forestall the British expedition in the most spectacular, though not the most valuable part of the work." [9]
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 8 March, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] Apsley Cherry-Garrard, diary, 8 March, 1912, Scott Polar Research Institute.
[3] Roald Amundsen Bildearkiv, Nasjonalbiblioteket.
[4] "Tasmanian views, Edward Searle's album of photographs of Australia, Antarctica and the Pacific, 1911-1915", National Library of Australia.
[5] New York Times, 8 March, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.546.
[6] Aftenposten, 9 March, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.547.
[7] Bjørn Helland-Hansen, letter to Fridtjof Nansen, [date not given], quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.547.
[8] Norges Handels- og Sjøfartstidende, 9 March, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.547.
[9] The Times, 9 March, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.547.
March 5, 2012
Tuesday, 5 March 1912
Scott
"Regret to say going from bad to worse," Scott wrote at lunchtime. "The result is telling on all, but mainly on Oates, whose feet are in a wretched condition. One swelled up tremendously last night and he is very lame this morning. We started march on tea and [cold] pemmican as last night -- we pretend to prefer the pemmican this way. Marched for 5 hours this morning over a slightly better surface covered with high moundy sastrugi. Sledge capsized twice; we pulled on foot, covering about 5 1/2 miles. We are two pony marches and 4 miles about from our depot. Our fuel dreadfully low and the poor Soldier nearly done. It is pathetic enough because we can do nothing for him; more hot food might do a little, but only a little, I fear. We none of us expected these terribly low temperatures." [1]
Amundsen
Having sighted the coast of Tasmania the previous day, the Fram was held off by bad weather. "It was a stinking job to get in to Hobart," Bjaaland wrote in his diary. "Storm and calm followed each other, and when we finally were at the approaches to our goal, so God help me we were blown past, the result being we had to lay to in a storm with torn sail and splintered gaff." [2]
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 5 March, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 5 March, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.531.
"Regret to say going from bad to worse," Scott wrote at lunchtime. "The result is telling on all, but mainly on Oates, whose feet are in a wretched condition. One swelled up tremendously last night and he is very lame this morning. We started march on tea and [cold] pemmican as last night -- we pretend to prefer the pemmican this way. Marched for 5 hours this morning over a slightly better surface covered with high moundy sastrugi. Sledge capsized twice; we pulled on foot, covering about 5 1/2 miles. We are two pony marches and 4 miles about from our depot. Our fuel dreadfully low and the poor Soldier nearly done. It is pathetic enough because we can do nothing for him; more hot food might do a little, but only a little, I fear. We none of us expected these terribly low temperatures." [1]
Amundsen
Having sighted the coast of Tasmania the previous day, the Fram was held off by bad weather. "It was a stinking job to get in to Hobart," Bjaaland wrote in his diary. "Storm and calm followed each other, and when we finally were at the approaches to our goal, so God help me we were blown past, the result being we had to lay to in a storm with torn sail and splintered gaff." [2]
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 5 March, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 5 March, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.531.
February 21, 2012
Wednesday, 21 February 1912
Scott
"Gloomy and overcast when we started; a good deal warmer," wrote Scott, noting a lunch-time temperature of -9 1/2°, and a few degrees less in the evening. "The marching almost as bad as yesterday. Heavy toiling all day, inspiring gloomiest thoughts at times. Rays of comfort when we picked up tracks and cairns. At lunch we seemed to have missed the way, but an hour or two after we passed the last pony walls, and since, we struck a tent ring, ending the march actually on our old pony-tracks. There is a critical spot here with a long stretch between cairns. If we can tide that over we get on the regular cairn route, and with luck should stick to it; but everything depends on the weather. We never won a march of 8 1/2 miles with greater difficulty, but we can't go on like this. We are drawing away from the land and perhaps may get better things in a day or two. I devoutly hope so." [1]
Amundsen
Three weeks into their journey, Hassel wrote in his diary, "Amundsen today sent a list aft in which he asks every man to answer the question whether they will go north, yes or no. Everyone answered no, except Beck (the ice pilot)." A few days later, after Amundsen had sounded out each man individually, Hassel added, "Amundsen has now spoken to everyone and asked who will go north, with the exception of Ludwig Hansen. All have said yes (!) except Bjaaland." [2]
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 21 February, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] Sverre Hassel, diary, 21 and 24 February, 1912, in Dagboksnotater fra Sydpolen (Skien : Vågemots miniforlag, 1997), p.10-11.
"Gloomy and overcast when we started; a good deal warmer," wrote Scott, noting a lunch-time temperature of -9 1/2°, and a few degrees less in the evening. "The marching almost as bad as yesterday. Heavy toiling all day, inspiring gloomiest thoughts at times. Rays of comfort when we picked up tracks and cairns. At lunch we seemed to have missed the way, but an hour or two after we passed the last pony walls, and since, we struck a tent ring, ending the march actually on our old pony-tracks. There is a critical spot here with a long stretch between cairns. If we can tide that over we get on the regular cairn route, and with luck should stick to it; but everything depends on the weather. We never won a march of 8 1/2 miles with greater difficulty, but we can't go on like this. We are drawing away from the land and perhaps may get better things in a day or two. I devoutly hope so." [1]
Amundsen
Three weeks into their journey, Hassel wrote in his diary, "Amundsen today sent a list aft in which he asks every man to answer the question whether they will go north, yes or no. Everyone answered no, except Beck (the ice pilot)." A few days later, after Amundsen had sounded out each man individually, Hassel added, "Amundsen has now spoken to everyone and asked who will go north, with the exception of Ludwig Hansen. All have said yes (!) except Bjaaland." [2]
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 21 February, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] Sverre Hassel, diary, 21 and 24 February, 1912, in Dagboksnotater fra Sydpolen (Skien : Vågemots miniforlag, 1997), p.10-11.
February 9, 2012
Friday, 9 February 1912
Scott
Lashly, Crean, and Lt. Evans reached the depot at One Ton. "Oh, what a God-send to get a change of food!" Lashly wrote with feeling. "We have taken enough food for 9 days, which if we still keep up our present rate of progress it ought to take us in to Hut Point. We cannot take too heavy a load, as there is only the two of us pulling now, and this our last port of call before we reach Hut Point, but things are not looking any too favourable for us, as our leader is gradually getting lower every day. It is almost impossible for him to get along, and we are still 120 miles from Hut Point." [1]
At Cape Evans, unloading of the Terra Nova began.
Amundsen
The Fram crossed the Antarctic Circle on her way to Hobart, "[creeping] forwards," Bjaaland wrote, "miserably slowly, headwinds and fog and rain and high seas on the beam." [2]
Amundsen spent hours every day in his cabin reading a year's worth of newspapers, preparing his telegrams and writing his story for the press, and writing the lecture he would give in the coming months. Nilsen translated this for him into English.
Johansen, miserable and disappointed, wrote to his wife, "When one is so far away and left to one's self in the great loneliness, one broods about one thing or the other... For my part, I can still be glad that I have not suffered any injury, but still possess my indomitable strength.... I did not get to the Pole. I naturally would have liked to.... The main thing is that ... we did good work [on King Edward VII Land]. But you know the great public asks who has been to the Pole. Well, I don't care. I dare to say that nevertheless I have also helped the Southern party to reach the Pole, even if I couldn't be on the final assault, and I know that I was appreciated by those with whom I worked.... Ah well, as things are, it has all turned out for the best." [3]
Notes:
[1] William Lashly, diary, 9 February, 1912, quoted by Apsley Cherry-Garrard in The Worst Journey in the World, ch.XII.
[2] Olav Bjaaland, diary, [date not given], quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.530.
[3] Hjalmar Johansen, letter to his wife, [date not given], quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.531.
Lashly, Crean, and Lt. Evans reached the depot at One Ton. "Oh, what a God-send to get a change of food!" Lashly wrote with feeling. "We have taken enough food for 9 days, which if we still keep up our present rate of progress it ought to take us in to Hut Point. We cannot take too heavy a load, as there is only the two of us pulling now, and this our last port of call before we reach Hut Point, but things are not looking any too favourable for us, as our leader is gradually getting lower every day. It is almost impossible for him to get along, and we are still 120 miles from Hut Point." [1]
At Cape Evans, unloading of the Terra Nova began.
Amundsen
The Fram crossed the Antarctic Circle on her way to Hobart, "[creeping] forwards," Bjaaland wrote, "miserably slowly, headwinds and fog and rain and high seas on the beam." [2]
Amundsen spent hours every day in his cabin reading a year's worth of newspapers, preparing his telegrams and writing his story for the press, and writing the lecture he would give in the coming months. Nilsen translated this for him into English.
Johansen, miserable and disappointed, wrote to his wife, "When one is so far away and left to one's self in the great loneliness, one broods about one thing or the other... For my part, I can still be glad that I have not suffered any injury, but still possess my indomitable strength.... I did not get to the Pole. I naturally would have liked to.... The main thing is that ... we did good work [on King Edward VII Land]. But you know the great public asks who has been to the Pole. Well, I don't care. I dare to say that nevertheless I have also helped the Southern party to reach the Pole, even if I couldn't be on the final assault, and I know that I was appreciated by those with whom I worked.... Ah well, as things are, it has all turned out for the best." [3]
Notes:
[1] William Lashly, diary, 9 February, 1912, quoted by Apsley Cherry-Garrard in The Worst Journey in the World, ch.XII.
[2] Olav Bjaaland, diary, [date not given], quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.530.
[3] Hjalmar Johansen, letter to his wife, [date not given], quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.531.
January 29, 2012
Monday, 29 January 1912
Scott
After a march of nearly twenty miles, Wilson found that his leg was overstrained, and for several days he could only hobble alongside the sledge without pulling. "400 miles about to go," he wrote, "before meeting the dogs with ship's news." [1]
Amundsen
In the evening, Amundsen closed the door of the hut behind him and went down to the ship. "It was a heavy moment to leave Framheim," he wrote in his diary. "A more splendid or cosy winter quarters no one has had. When we departed, Lindstrøm had scoured it from top to bottom and it was shining like a new pin. We don't want to be accused of untidiness or dirt if anyone should happen to go there and look." [2]
"It was quite curious," he wrote later, "to see how several of the old veterans seemed at home again on the Fram’s deck. Wisting’s brave dog, the old Colonel, with his two adjutants, Suggen and Arne, at once took possession of the places where they had stood for so many a long day on the voyage south -- on the starboard side of the mainmast; the two twins, Mylius and Ring, Helmer Hanssen’s special favourites, began their games away in the corner of the fore-deck to port, as though nothing had happened. To look at those two merry rascals no one would have thought they had trotted at the head of the whole caravan both to and from the Pole. One solitary dog could be seen stalking about, lonely and reserved, in a continual uneasy search. This was the boss of Bjaaland’s team. He was unaffected by any advances; no one could take the place of his fallen comrade and friend, Frithjof, who had long ago found a grave in the stomachs of his companions many hundreds of miles across the Barrier." [3]
Fram cast off in a fog, leaving, as Bjaaland put it, "these regions and Framheim with all their splendour to anyone who wants them.... Farewell then, Framheim, your ice and snow and seal and crows and everything. You were temperamental and unpleasant and cold now and then but better than I expected." [4]
"The place that had been our residence for a year we left without a backwards glance," wrote Hassel. "The fog was too dense. But I doubt if any of us regretted that." [5]
Notes:
[1] E.A. Wilson, diary, 29 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.521.
[2] Roald Amundsen, diary, 30 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.267.
[3] Roald Amundsen, The South Pole, ch.14.
[4] Olav Bjaaland, diary, [30 January, 1912?], quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.529.
[5] Sverre Hassel, diary, 31 January, 1912, quoted by Tor Bomann-Larsen in Roald Amundsen (Stroud, Gloucestershire : Sutton, c2006, c1995), p.110.
After a march of nearly twenty miles, Wilson found that his leg was overstrained, and for several days he could only hobble alongside the sledge without pulling. "400 miles about to go," he wrote, "before meeting the dogs with ship's news." [1]
Amundsen
In the evening, Amundsen closed the door of the hut behind him and went down to the ship. "It was a heavy moment to leave Framheim," he wrote in his diary. "A more splendid or cosy winter quarters no one has had. When we departed, Lindstrøm had scoured it from top to bottom and it was shining like a new pin. We don't want to be accused of untidiness or dirt if anyone should happen to go there and look." [2]
"It was quite curious," he wrote later, "to see how several of the old veterans seemed at home again on the Fram’s deck. Wisting’s brave dog, the old Colonel, with his two adjutants, Suggen and Arne, at once took possession of the places where they had stood for so many a long day on the voyage south -- on the starboard side of the mainmast; the two twins, Mylius and Ring, Helmer Hanssen’s special favourites, began their games away in the corner of the fore-deck to port, as though nothing had happened. To look at those two merry rascals no one would have thought they had trotted at the head of the whole caravan both to and from the Pole. One solitary dog could be seen stalking about, lonely and reserved, in a continual uneasy search. This was the boss of Bjaaland’s team. He was unaffected by any advances; no one could take the place of his fallen comrade and friend, Frithjof, who had long ago found a grave in the stomachs of his companions many hundreds of miles across the Barrier." [3]
Fram cast off in a fog, leaving, as Bjaaland put it, "these regions and Framheim with all their splendour to anyone who wants them.... Farewell then, Framheim, your ice and snow and seal and crows and everything. You were temperamental and unpleasant and cold now and then but better than I expected." [4]
"The place that had been our residence for a year we left without a backwards glance," wrote Hassel. "The fog was too dense. But I doubt if any of us regretted that." [5]
Notes:
[1] E.A. Wilson, diary, 29 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.521.
[2] Roald Amundsen, diary, 30 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.267.
[3] Roald Amundsen, The South Pole, ch.14.
[4] Olav Bjaaland, diary, [30 January, 1912?], quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.529.
[5] Sverre Hassel, diary, 31 January, 1912, quoted by Tor Bomann-Larsen in Roald Amundsen (Stroud, Gloucestershire : Sutton, c2006, c1995), p.110.
January 25, 2012
Thursday, 25 January 1912
Scott
"Thank God we found our Half Degree Depôt," Scott wrote with obvious relief. [1]
"Oates suffers from a very cold foot; Evans' fingers and nose are in a bad state, and to-night Wilson is suffering tortures from his eyes. Bowers and I are the only members of the party without troubles just at present. The weather still looks unsettled, and I fear a succession of blizzards at this time of year; the wind is strong from the south, and this afternoon has been very helpful with the full sail. Needless to say I shall sleep much better with our provision bag full again. The only real anxiety now is the finding of the Three Degree Depot. The tracks seem as good as ever so far, sometimes for 30 or 40 yards we lose them under drifts, but then they reappear quite clearly raised above the surface. If the light is good there is not the least difficulty in following. Blizzards are our bugbear, not only stopping our marches, but the cold damp air takes it out of us. Bowers got another rating sight to-night—it was wonderful how he managed to observe in such a horribly cold wind. He has been on ski to-day whilst Wilson walked by the sledge or pulled ahead of it."
Amundsen
When they had set off at ten in the evening the night before, the weather, Amundsen wrote, was still "of the most unpleasant kind. Calm with thick snowfall and drift so that one could not see more than the tips of one's skis." [3] They lost the marked track, and when the weather cleared after an hour or so, there was not a flag in sight. Amundsen ordered a compass course.
"After 8 miles march, a large, dark object hove into sight -- 2 points off our course -- to the west. We struck out for it. It turned out to be one of our sledges, which we had left at the start on the 20th October 1911. Before we knew it, we had reached our point of departure. We saw nothing of Fram, but that was hardly to be wondered at because the whole inner part of the bay was covered with ice. Framheim, on the other hand, lay, as we had left it, bathed in the morning sun."
It was four o'clock in the morning, and the five men unhitched the dogs as quietly as they could and crept into the hut. "Good morning, my dear Lindstrøm," Amundsen said. "Have you any coffee for us?"
Wisting, who described this scene years later, said "It would be very difficult for me to describe the various phizzes that emerged from their respective bunks and stared at us -- they had to be seen." [4]
"Good God, is it you?" was all that Lindstrøm could say at first, for the polar party had not been expected for another ten days. "Get up boys," he called out to the others, "it's the first cuckoo of spring."
"Roald came up to me, and shook my hand," Stubberud recalled, "I didn't ask about anything." [5] Somebody, Wisting wrote, finally put the question: "'Have you been there?' 'Yes, we've been there,' answered Roald Amundsen, and then there was a hullabaloo. Soon after, we were all seated round the table and savoured Lindstrøm's hot cakes and heavenly coffee. How good a cup of coffee can really taste one only realises when, like us, one has had to go without so long." [6] (For three months, the polar party had had nothing but hot chocolate.)
Hanssen wrote later, "The gathering round the breakfast table at Framheim after the end of the trip belongs to the moments in one's life one never forgets." [7]
After a short speech from Amundsen -- "We haven't got much to tell in the way of privation. The whole thing went like a dream" -- they finished off, Bjaaland said, "[with] a really good schnapps." [8]
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 25 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1. This was the depot made at 88° 29' on 10th January.
[2] Roald Amundsen Bildearkiv, Nasjonalbiblioteket.
[3] Roald Amundsen, diary, 26 January 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.261.
[4] Oscar Wisting, 16 År med Roald Amundsen, p.38, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.526.
[5] Jørgen Stubberud, interview with Roland Huntford, quoted by Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.526.
[6] Oscar Wisting, 16 År med Roald Amundsen, p.29, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.526.
[7] Helmer Hanssen, Gjennem Isbaksen, p.101, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.526.
[8] Olav Bjaaland, source not given, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.527.
"Thank God we found our Half Degree Depôt," Scott wrote with obvious relief. [1]
"Oates suffers from a very cold foot; Evans' fingers and nose are in a bad state, and to-night Wilson is suffering tortures from his eyes. Bowers and I are the only members of the party without troubles just at present. The weather still looks unsettled, and I fear a succession of blizzards at this time of year; the wind is strong from the south, and this afternoon has been very helpful with the full sail. Needless to say I shall sleep much better with our provision bag full again. The only real anxiety now is the finding of the Three Degree Depot. The tracks seem as good as ever so far, sometimes for 30 or 40 yards we lose them under drifts, but then they reappear quite clearly raised above the surface. If the light is good there is not the least difficulty in following. Blizzards are our bugbear, not only stopping our marches, but the cold damp air takes it out of us. Bowers got another rating sight to-night—it was wonderful how he managed to observe in such a horribly cold wind. He has been on ski to-day whilst Wilson walked by the sledge or pulled ahead of it."
Amundsen
Framheim, in an undated photograph. [2]
When they had set off at ten in the evening the night before, the weather, Amundsen wrote, was still "of the most unpleasant kind. Calm with thick snowfall and drift so that one could not see more than the tips of one's skis." [3] They lost the marked track, and when the weather cleared after an hour or so, there was not a flag in sight. Amundsen ordered a compass course.
"After 8 miles march, a large, dark object hove into sight -- 2 points off our course -- to the west. We struck out for it. It turned out to be one of our sledges, which we had left at the start on the 20th October 1911. Before we knew it, we had reached our point of departure. We saw nothing of Fram, but that was hardly to be wondered at because the whole inner part of the bay was covered with ice. Framheim, on the other hand, lay, as we had left it, bathed in the morning sun."
It was four o'clock in the morning, and the five men unhitched the dogs as quietly as they could and crept into the hut. "Good morning, my dear Lindstrøm," Amundsen said. "Have you any coffee for us?"
Wisting, who described this scene years later, said "It would be very difficult for me to describe the various phizzes that emerged from their respective bunks and stared at us -- they had to be seen." [4]
"Good God, is it you?" was all that Lindstrøm could say at first, for the polar party had not been expected for another ten days. "Get up boys," he called out to the others, "it's the first cuckoo of spring."
"Roald came up to me, and shook my hand," Stubberud recalled, "I didn't ask about anything." [5] Somebody, Wisting wrote, finally put the question: "'Have you been there?' 'Yes, we've been there,' answered Roald Amundsen, and then there was a hullabaloo. Soon after, we were all seated round the table and savoured Lindstrøm's hot cakes and heavenly coffee. How good a cup of coffee can really taste one only realises when, like us, one has had to go without so long." [6] (For three months, the polar party had had nothing but hot chocolate.)
Hanssen wrote later, "The gathering round the breakfast table at Framheim after the end of the trip belongs to the moments in one's life one never forgets." [7]
After a short speech from Amundsen -- "We haven't got much to tell in the way of privation. The whole thing went like a dream" -- they finished off, Bjaaland said, "[with] a really good schnapps." [8]
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 25 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1. This was the depot made at 88° 29' on 10th January.
[2] Roald Amundsen Bildearkiv, Nasjonalbiblioteket.
[3] Roald Amundsen, diary, 26 January 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.261.
[4] Oscar Wisting, 16 År med Roald Amundsen, p.38, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.526.
[5] Jørgen Stubberud, interview with Roland Huntford, quoted by Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.526.
[6] Oscar Wisting, 16 År med Roald Amundsen, p.29, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.526.
[7] Helmer Hanssen, Gjennem Isbaksen, p.101, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.526.
[8] Olav Bjaaland, source not given, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.527.
January 24, 2012
Wednesday, 24 January 1912
Scott
"Things beginning to look a little serious," wrote Scott. A strong wind developed into a blizzard, and they struggled to put up the tent. "This is the second full gale since we left the Pole. I don't like the look of it. Is the weather breaking up? If so, God help us, with the tremendous summit journey and scant food. Wilson and Bowers are my standby. I don't like the easy way in which Oates and Evans get frostbitten." [1]
They had managed 7 miles for the day, and were 7 miles from their depot. [2]
"Evans has got his fingers all blistered with frost-bites," Bowers wrote in his diary, "otherwise we are all well, but thinning, and in spite of our good rations get hungrier daily. I sometimes spend much thought on the march with plans for making a pig of myself on the first opportunity. As that will be after a further march of 700 miles they are a bit premature." [3]
Amundsen
The going suddenly better, "the dogs flew as never before," Amundsen wrote. But as they made camp, "the Sou'Wester broke out with drift and other abomination." [4]
Within hours of Framheim, they had covered 21 miles. They had lightened their loads so much in order to make good time that, Bjaaland noted, "We have almost no food, a few biscuits and chocolate." [5]
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 24 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] Roland Huntford notes here that Scott's inability to continue in this gale, which was a force 8 from the SSE, illustrates how the compasses used by the Norwegians and the British differed crucially. "Amundsen's ship's models, fixed on the sledges, allowed travel in any conditions. Scott only had pocket compasses and portable sundials, both of which assumed good visibility to take the necessary bearings.... In the [man-hauling] traces, it was well-nigh impossible to navigate without periodic halts to take compass bearings, and [without] marks in the terrain by which to steer." The Norwegians, however, could keep going in a similar gale, such as the one on 1st/2nd December, even though at that point it was in fact a head wind for them. "Keeping a course in poor visibility needed someone to follow on behind and call out directions.... [Consequently, Scott] was stopped by a following wind, which otherwise ought to have helped him along" (Race for the South Pole, p.259).
[3] H.R. Bowers, diary, 24 January, 1912, quoted by Apsley Cherry-Garrard in The Worst Journey in the World, ch.12.
[4] Roald Amundsen, diary, 25 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.508.
[5] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 25 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.260.
"Things beginning to look a little serious," wrote Scott. A strong wind developed into a blizzard, and they struggled to put up the tent. "This is the second full gale since we left the Pole. I don't like the look of it. Is the weather breaking up? If so, God help us, with the tremendous summit journey and scant food. Wilson and Bowers are my standby. I don't like the easy way in which Oates and Evans get frostbitten." [1]
They had managed 7 miles for the day, and were 7 miles from their depot. [2]
"Evans has got his fingers all blistered with frost-bites," Bowers wrote in his diary, "otherwise we are all well, but thinning, and in spite of our good rations get hungrier daily. I sometimes spend much thought on the march with plans for making a pig of myself on the first opportunity. As that will be after a further march of 700 miles they are a bit premature." [3]
Amundsen
The going suddenly better, "the dogs flew as never before," Amundsen wrote. But as they made camp, "the Sou'Wester broke out with drift and other abomination." [4]
Within hours of Framheim, they had covered 21 miles. They had lightened their loads so much in order to make good time that, Bjaaland noted, "We have almost no food, a few biscuits and chocolate." [5]
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 24 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] Roland Huntford notes here that Scott's inability to continue in this gale, which was a force 8 from the SSE, illustrates how the compasses used by the Norwegians and the British differed crucially. "Amundsen's ship's models, fixed on the sledges, allowed travel in any conditions. Scott only had pocket compasses and portable sundials, both of which assumed good visibility to take the necessary bearings.... In the [man-hauling] traces, it was well-nigh impossible to navigate without periodic halts to take compass bearings, and [without] marks in the terrain by which to steer." The Norwegians, however, could keep going in a similar gale, such as the one on 1st/2nd December, even though at that point it was in fact a head wind for them. "Keeping a course in poor visibility needed someone to follow on behind and call out directions.... [Consequently, Scott] was stopped by a following wind, which otherwise ought to have helped him along" (Race for the South Pole, p.259).
[3] H.R. Bowers, diary, 24 January, 1912, quoted by Apsley Cherry-Garrard in The Worst Journey in the World, ch.12.
[4] Roald Amundsen, diary, 25 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.508.
[5] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 25 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.260.
January 22, 2012
Monday, 22 January 1912
Scott
"I think about the most tiring march we have had," wrote Scott, "solid pulling the whole way, in spite of the light sledge and some little helping wind at first." [1]
They were almost at 89°, he noted, "within 2 1/2 miles of the 64th camp cairn, 30 miles from our depot, and with 5 days' food in hand. Ski boots are beginning to show signs of wear; I trust we shall have no giving out of ski or boots, since there are yet so many miles to go. I thought we were climbing to-day, but the barometer gives no change."
After starting that morning, Lashly wrote near the foot of the Beardmore, "we soon got round the corner from the Granite Pillars to between the mainland and Mt. Hope, on rising up on the slope between the mountain and the mainland, as soon as we sighted the Barrier, Crean let go one huge yell enough to frighten the ponies out of their graves of snow, and no more Beardmore for me after this." [2]
"We have now 360 miles to travel geographically to get to Hut Point. Mr. Evans complained to me while outside the tent that he had a stiffness at the back of his legs behind the knees. I asked him what he thought it was, and he said could not account for it, so if he dont soon get rid of it I am to have a look and see if anything is the matter with him, as I know from what I have seen and been told before the symptoms of scurvy is pains and swelling behind the knee round the ankle and loosening of the teeth, ulcerated gums. To-night I watched to see his gums, and I am convinced he is on the point of something anyhow, and this I have spoken to Crean about, but he dont seem to realise it. But I have asked him to wait developments for a time. It seems we are in for more trouble now, but lets hope for the best."
Amundsen
Soft snow with little glide made the going hard for both skiers and dogs. "Ha ha," Bjaaland wrote with not a little glee. "Those fellows who thought they would be pulled 20 m will just have to traipse to Framheim." [3] They nevertheless managed to do their thirty miles a day, almost in sight of home.
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 22 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] William Lashly, diary, 22 January, 1912, quoted by Apsley Cherry-Garrard in The Worst Journey in the World, ch.XII.
[3] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 23 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.256.
"I think about the most tiring march we have had," wrote Scott, "solid pulling the whole way, in spite of the light sledge and some little helping wind at first." [1]
They were almost at 89°, he noted, "within 2 1/2 miles of the 64th camp cairn, 30 miles from our depot, and with 5 days' food in hand. Ski boots are beginning to show signs of wear; I trust we shall have no giving out of ski or boots, since there are yet so many miles to go. I thought we were climbing to-day, but the barometer gives no change."
After starting that morning, Lashly wrote near the foot of the Beardmore, "we soon got round the corner from the Granite Pillars to between the mainland and Mt. Hope, on rising up on the slope between the mountain and the mainland, as soon as we sighted the Barrier, Crean let go one huge yell enough to frighten the ponies out of their graves of snow, and no more Beardmore for me after this." [2]
"We have now 360 miles to travel geographically to get to Hut Point. Mr. Evans complained to me while outside the tent that he had a stiffness at the back of his legs behind the knees. I asked him what he thought it was, and he said could not account for it, so if he dont soon get rid of it I am to have a look and see if anything is the matter with him, as I know from what I have seen and been told before the symptoms of scurvy is pains and swelling behind the knee round the ankle and loosening of the teeth, ulcerated gums. To-night I watched to see his gums, and I am convinced he is on the point of something anyhow, and this I have spoken to Crean about, but he dont seem to realise it. But I have asked him to wait developments for a time. It seems we are in for more trouble now, but lets hope for the best."
Amundsen
Soft snow with little glide made the going hard for both skiers and dogs. "Ha ha," Bjaaland wrote with not a little glee. "Those fellows who thought they would be pulled 20 m will just have to traipse to Framheim." [3] They nevertheless managed to do their thirty miles a day, almost in sight of home.
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 22 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] William Lashly, diary, 22 January, 1912, quoted by Apsley Cherry-Garrard in The Worst Journey in the World, ch.XII.
[3] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 23 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.256.
January 21, 2012
Sunday, 21 January 1912
Scott
A thick blizzard in the morning delayed the start until well after lunch, and they managed only 5 1/2 miles. They were at 10,010 ft. (3051 m), with temperatures from -18° to -11 (-28 to -24 C). "We are going to have a pretty hard time this next 100 miles I expect," wrote Scott. "If it was difficult to drag downhill over this belt, it will probably be a good deal more difficult to drag up. Luckily the cracks are fairly distinct, though we only see our cairns when less than a mile away; 45 miles to the next depot and 6 days' food in hand -- then pick up 7 days' food (T. -22°) and 90 miles to go to the 'Three Degree' Depot." [1]
"[Soft] plodding for me on foot," remarked Bowers. "I shall be jolly glad to pick up my dear old ski." [2]
Amundsen
After starting off at midnight, they reached their 80° depot late in the morning. There was a report from Prestrud that they had been there 13th November [i.e. 12th], and that all was well. "Thus," wrote Amundsen, "we have a realistic hope of being able to complete the entire west coast of K.E. VII according to our observations." [3]
Since the Eastern Party's visit, Amundsen found, the uppermost box of biscuit on the depot, which being painted black had absorbed enough sunlight to split open from the heat, was ruined, but everything else was in order, and in fact they now had so much supplies that they left a sledge case of biscuit, about 25 kg of chocolate, and a few bags of dried milk, taking only 12 pieces of pemmican for the men, and 40 seal steaks.
The skiing was, "as usual" on the Barrier, Amundsen noted, "extremely loose. Deep, deep snow."
"It was a damned hard job being forerunner," wrote Bjaaland. [4] They were, he estimated, four marches from Framheim.
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 21 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] H.R. Bowers, diary, 21 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.519.
[3] Roald Amundsen, diary, 22 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.255.
[4] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 22 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.508.
A thick blizzard in the morning delayed the start until well after lunch, and they managed only 5 1/2 miles. They were at 10,010 ft. (3051 m), with temperatures from -18° to -11 (-28 to -24 C). "We are going to have a pretty hard time this next 100 miles I expect," wrote Scott. "If it was difficult to drag downhill over this belt, it will probably be a good deal more difficult to drag up. Luckily the cracks are fairly distinct, though we only see our cairns when less than a mile away; 45 miles to the next depot and 6 days' food in hand -- then pick up 7 days' food (T. -22°) and 90 miles to go to the 'Three Degree' Depot." [1]
"[Soft] plodding for me on foot," remarked Bowers. "I shall be jolly glad to pick up my dear old ski." [2]
Amundsen
After starting off at midnight, they reached their 80° depot late in the morning. There was a report from Prestrud that they had been there 13th November [i.e. 12th], and that all was well. "Thus," wrote Amundsen, "we have a realistic hope of being able to complete the entire west coast of K.E. VII according to our observations." [3]
Since the Eastern Party's visit, Amundsen found, the uppermost box of biscuit on the depot, which being painted black had absorbed enough sunlight to split open from the heat, was ruined, but everything else was in order, and in fact they now had so much supplies that they left a sledge case of biscuit, about 25 kg of chocolate, and a few bags of dried milk, taking only 12 pieces of pemmican for the men, and 40 seal steaks.
The skiing was, "as usual" on the Barrier, Amundsen noted, "extremely loose. Deep, deep snow."
"It was a damned hard job being forerunner," wrote Bjaaland. [4] They were, he estimated, four marches from Framheim.
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 21 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] H.R. Bowers, diary, 21 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.519.
[3] Roald Amundsen, diary, 22 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.255.
[4] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 22 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.508.
January 18, 2012
Thursday, 18 January 1912
Scott
Having decided now that they had come too far, they set off back in a southeasterly direction for a little over three miles.
The sharp-eyed Bowers soon saw the Norwegian tent about two miles off, with a list inside of the five men who had made up the Polar party: "Roald Amundsen, Olav Olavson Bjaaland, Hilmer Hanssen [sic], Sverre H. Hassel, Oscar Wisting, 16 Dec. 1911. The tent is fine," Scott admitted, "a small compact affair supported by a single bamboo. A note from Amundsen, which I keep, asks me to forward a letter to King Haakon!" [1]
"Dear Captain Scott," Amundsen's note ran, "As you are probably the first to reach this area after us, I will ask you kindly to forward this letter to King Haakon VII. If you can use any of the articles left in the tent please do not hesitate to do so. With kind regards I wish you a safe return. Yours truly, Roald Amundsen." [3] "I am puzzled at the object," Scott wrote, in a remark edited out of his journals before publication. [4]
Wilson listed the "considerable amount of gear" the Norwegians had left in the tent: "half reindeer sleeping-bags, sleeping-socks, reinskin trousers [sic] 2 pair, a sextant, and artif[icial] horizon, a hypsometer with all the thermoms broken, etc. I took away the spirit-lamp of it, which I have wanted for sterilizing and making disinfectant lotions of snow." [5] Bowers was in fact glad to get a pair of reindeer mitts to replace the dogskin ones he had lost a few days earlier.
While Bowers photographed and Wilson sketched, Scott wrote a note to leave in the tent saying that they had been there, and went on another six miles. "We built a cairn, put up our poor slighted Union Jack, and photographed ourselves -- mighty cold work all of it." [6]
Scott and his men: from left, Wilson, Bowers and Evans (sitting), Scott, Oates. Bowers took most of the photographs at the Pole, here with a string (in his right hand) to the shutter release. [7]
Finding another of Amundsen's black flags about half a mile away, with the note in English, "The Norwegian Polheim is situated in 89 deg. 58' SE by E. (comp.) 8 Miles. 15 Decbr, 1911, Roald Amundsen" [9], they took it for the Norwegian Pole. (It was in fact the left-hand flag used to box the Pole.)
Wilson's sketch of one of Amundsen's pole markers, 18th January, 1912. [10]
"There is no doubt that our predecessors have made thoroughly sure of their mark and fully carried out their programme," wrote Scott. "I think the Pole is about 9500 feet in height; this is remarkable, considering that in Lat. 88° we were about 10,500. We carried the Union Jack about 3/4 of a mile north with us and left it on a piece of stick as near as we could fix it. I fancy the Norwegians arrived at the Pole on the 15th Dec. and left on the 17th, ahead of a date quoted by me in London as ideal, viz. Dec. 22. It looks as though the Norwegian party expected colder weather on the summit than they got; it could scarcely be otherwise from Shackleton's account. Well, we have turned our back now on the goal of our ambition and must face our 800 miles of solid dragging -- and good-bye to most of the daydreams!" [11]
Amundsen
On the first clear day they had had for a while, and having had poor visibility on the three previous visits to the area, the Norwegians were able to see, Bjaaland noted, "several rock and snowclad mountains which seemed to run in a N.E. direction ... 30 miles off." [12] Amundsen, however, conscious of the need to get home first with the news, refused to investigate. "I have contented myself," he wrote calmly later, "with giving the name of Carmen Land to the land between 86° and 84°, and have called the rest 'Appearance of Land.' It will be a profitable task for an explorer to investigate this district more closely." [13]
At the time, however, his anxiety made him short-tempered. "Hanssen has fallen into disgrace," Hassel noted in his diary. "He allowed himself to disagree with His Majesty Amundsen regarding Else [one of the dogs] which Hanssen insisted smelled, but Amundsen could not smell anything. For the time being they are not talking." [14]
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 18 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] Source unknown.
[3] Roald Amundsen, letter to R.F. Scott, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.516.
[4] R.F. Scott, diary, [18 January, 1912], quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.516. Scott's irritation is completely understandable.
[5] E.A. Wilson, diary, 18 January, 1912, quoted by Apsley Cherry-Garrard in The Worst Journey in the World, ch.13.
[6] R.F. Scott, diary, 18 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[7] Wikipedia.
[8] Encyclopedia Britannica Kids.
[9] Quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.518.
[10] "Amundsen's Original South Pole Station".
[11] R.F. Scott, diary, 18 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[12] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 19 January 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.507.
[13] Roald Amundsen, The South Pole, ch.13. This area near the Queen Maud Range was later found to be nonexistent, probably disturbances due to the Steers Head crevasse system.
[14] Sverre Hassel, diary, [date not given], quoted by Tor Bomann-Larsen in Roald Amundsen (Stroud, Gloucestershire : Sutton, c2006, c1995), p.109.
Having decided now that they had come too far, they set off back in a southeasterly direction for a little over three miles.
The sharp-eyed Bowers soon saw the Norwegian tent about two miles off, with a list inside of the five men who had made up the Polar party: "Roald Amundsen, Olav Olavson Bjaaland, Hilmer Hanssen [sic], Sverre H. Hassel, Oscar Wisting, 16 Dec. 1911. The tent is fine," Scott admitted, "a small compact affair supported by a single bamboo. A note from Amundsen, which I keep, asks me to forward a letter to King Haakon!" [1]
Scott, Oates, Wilson, and Evans at the Norwegians' tent. [2]
"Dear Captain Scott," Amundsen's note ran, "As you are probably the first to reach this area after us, I will ask you kindly to forward this letter to King Haakon VII. If you can use any of the articles left in the tent please do not hesitate to do so. With kind regards I wish you a safe return. Yours truly, Roald Amundsen." [3] "I am puzzled at the object," Scott wrote, in a remark edited out of his journals before publication. [4]
Wilson listed the "considerable amount of gear" the Norwegians had left in the tent: "half reindeer sleeping-bags, sleeping-socks, reinskin trousers [sic] 2 pair, a sextant, and artif[icial] horizon, a hypsometer with all the thermoms broken, etc. I took away the spirit-lamp of it, which I have wanted for sterilizing and making disinfectant lotions of snow." [5] Bowers was in fact glad to get a pair of reindeer mitts to replace the dogskin ones he had lost a few days earlier.
While Bowers photographed and Wilson sketched, Scott wrote a note to leave in the tent saying that they had been there, and went on another six miles. "We built a cairn, put up our poor slighted Union Jack, and photographed ourselves -- mighty cold work all of it." [6]
Scott and his men: from left, Wilson, Bowers and Evans (sitting), Scott, Oates. Bowers took most of the photographs at the Pole, here with a string (in his right hand) to the shutter release. [7]
A less well-known photograph, this time with Wilson pulling the shutter-release. From left, Wilson, Scott, Evans, Oates, and Bowers. [8]
Finding another of Amundsen's black flags about half a mile away, with the note in English, "The Norwegian Polheim is situated in 89 deg. 58' SE by E. (comp.) 8 Miles. 15 Decbr, 1911, Roald Amundsen" [9], they took it for the Norwegian Pole. (It was in fact the left-hand flag used to box the Pole.)
Wilson's sketch of one of Amundsen's pole markers, 18th January, 1912. [10]"There is no doubt that our predecessors have made thoroughly sure of their mark and fully carried out their programme," wrote Scott. "I think the Pole is about 9500 feet in height; this is remarkable, considering that in Lat. 88° we were about 10,500. We carried the Union Jack about 3/4 of a mile north with us and left it on a piece of stick as near as we could fix it. I fancy the Norwegians arrived at the Pole on the 15th Dec. and left on the 17th, ahead of a date quoted by me in London as ideal, viz. Dec. 22. It looks as though the Norwegian party expected colder weather on the summit than they got; it could scarcely be otherwise from Shackleton's account. Well, we have turned our back now on the goal of our ambition and must face our 800 miles of solid dragging -- and good-bye to most of the daydreams!" [11]
Amundsen
On the first clear day they had had for a while, and having had poor visibility on the three previous visits to the area, the Norwegians were able to see, Bjaaland noted, "several rock and snowclad mountains which seemed to run in a N.E. direction ... 30 miles off." [12] Amundsen, however, conscious of the need to get home first with the news, refused to investigate. "I have contented myself," he wrote calmly later, "with giving the name of Carmen Land to the land between 86° and 84°, and have called the rest 'Appearance of Land.' It will be a profitable task for an explorer to investigate this district more closely." [13]
At the time, however, his anxiety made him short-tempered. "Hanssen has fallen into disgrace," Hassel noted in his diary. "He allowed himself to disagree with His Majesty Amundsen regarding Else [one of the dogs] which Hanssen insisted smelled, but Amundsen could not smell anything. For the time being they are not talking." [14]
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 18 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] Source unknown.
[3] Roald Amundsen, letter to R.F. Scott, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.516.
[4] R.F. Scott, diary, [18 January, 1912], quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.516. Scott's irritation is completely understandable.
[5] E.A. Wilson, diary, 18 January, 1912, quoted by Apsley Cherry-Garrard in The Worst Journey in the World, ch.13.
[6] R.F. Scott, diary, 18 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[7] Wikipedia.
[8] Encyclopedia Britannica Kids.
[9] Quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.518.
[10] "Amundsen's Original South Pole Station".
[11] R.F. Scott, diary, 18 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[12] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 19 January 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.507.
[13] Roald Amundsen, The South Pole, ch.13. This area near the Queen Maud Range was later found to be nonexistent, probably disturbances due to the Steers Head crevasse system.
[14] Sverre Hassel, diary, [date not given], quoted by Tor Bomann-Larsen in Roald Amundsen (Stroud, Gloucestershire : Sutton, c2006, c1995), p.109.
January 14, 2012
Sunday, 14 January 1912
Scott
"Again we noticed the cold," Scott wrote, "at lunch to-day (Obs.: Lat. 89° 20' 53'' S.) all our feet were cold, but this was mainly due to the bald state of our finnesko.... Oates seems to be feeling the cold and fatigue more than the rest of us, but we are all very fit. It is a critical time, but we ought to pull through. The barometer has fallen very considerably and we cannot tell whether due to ascent of plateau or change of weather. Oh! for a few fine days! So close it seems and only the weather to baulk us." [1]
Lt. Evans, Crean, and Lashly arrived at the Upper Glacier depot at the top of the Beardmore. "We had just enough now for our meal; this is cutting it a bit fine," wrote Lashly. "We have now taken our 3 1/2 days' allowance, which has got to take us another 57 miles to the Cloudmaker [Middle Glacier] Depôt. This we shall do if we all keep as fit as we seem just now. We left a note at the depôt to inform the Captain of our safe arrival, wishing them the best of a journey home. We are quite cheerful here to-night, after having put things right at the depôt, where we found the sugar exposed to the sun; it had commenced to melt, but we put everything alright before we left, and picked up our crampons and got away as soon as we could. We know there is not much time to spare." [2]
Amundsen
"82° [45'] -10 -11 SW wind," noted Bjaaland tersely. "Thick weather, bloody horrible light. Are on the line of cairns. Saw dog tracks at 46' mile cairn, they were heading north. Skiing good." [3]
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 14 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] William Lashly, diary, 14 January, 1912, quoted by Apsley Cherry-Garrard in The Worst Journey in the World, ch.XII.
[3] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 15 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.243.
"Again we noticed the cold," Scott wrote, "at lunch to-day (Obs.: Lat. 89° 20' 53'' S.) all our feet were cold, but this was mainly due to the bald state of our finnesko.... Oates seems to be feeling the cold and fatigue more than the rest of us, but we are all very fit. It is a critical time, but we ought to pull through. The barometer has fallen very considerably and we cannot tell whether due to ascent of plateau or change of weather. Oh! for a few fine days! So close it seems and only the weather to baulk us." [1]
Lt. Evans, Crean, and Lashly arrived at the Upper Glacier depot at the top of the Beardmore. "We had just enough now for our meal; this is cutting it a bit fine," wrote Lashly. "We have now taken our 3 1/2 days' allowance, which has got to take us another 57 miles to the Cloudmaker [Middle Glacier] Depôt. This we shall do if we all keep as fit as we seem just now. We left a note at the depôt to inform the Captain of our safe arrival, wishing them the best of a journey home. We are quite cheerful here to-night, after having put things right at the depôt, where we found the sugar exposed to the sun; it had commenced to melt, but we put everything alright before we left, and picked up our crampons and got away as soon as we could. We know there is not much time to spare." [2]
Amundsen
"82° [45'] -10 -11 SW wind," noted Bjaaland tersely. "Thick weather, bloody horrible light. Are on the line of cairns. Saw dog tracks at 46' mile cairn, they were heading north. Skiing good." [3]
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 14 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] William Lashly, diary, 14 January, 1912, quoted by Apsley Cherry-Garrard in The Worst Journey in the World, ch.XII.
[3] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 15 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.243.
January 11, 2012
Thursday, 11 January 1912
Scott
Cloud and snow crystals with a light breeze made the going "agonising," wrote Scott. "I never had such pulling; all the time the sledge rasps and creaks. We have covered 6 miles, but at fearful cost to ourselves." [1]
They were now 74 miles from the Pole. "Can we keep this up for seven days? It takes it out of us like anything. None of us ever had such hard work before.... Our chance still holds good if we can put the work in, but it's a terribly trying time."
Behind them, "a bliz" and the resulting drift made the going difficult for Lt. Evans's party for a stretch of days, but they pushed on regardless. "Things are a bit better to-day," Lashly wrote. "Could see the land alright and where to steer for. It is so nice to have something to look at, but I am thinking we shall all have our work cut out to reach the depôt before our provisions run short. I am deducting a small portion each meal so that we shall not have to go without altogether if we don't bring up at the proper time. Have done about 14 miles." [2]
Amundsen
Good skiing back on the Barrier made for an easy day's run.
Bjaaland, encouraged perhaps by the sight of the skua the day before, totted up the distances to go. "Slept for seven hours, then out to run 15 m[iles] until we reach 82° then six hours' sleep until the 80th degree is reached, then 20 m until we arrive at Framheim." [3]
Notes
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 11 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] William Lashly, diary, 11 January, 1912, quoted by Apsley Cherry-Garrard in The Worst Journey in the World, ch.XII.
[3] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 12 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.239.
Cloud and snow crystals with a light breeze made the going "agonising," wrote Scott. "I never had such pulling; all the time the sledge rasps and creaks. We have covered 6 miles, but at fearful cost to ourselves." [1]
They were now 74 miles from the Pole. "Can we keep this up for seven days? It takes it out of us like anything. None of us ever had such hard work before.... Our chance still holds good if we can put the work in, but it's a terribly trying time."
Behind them, "a bliz" and the resulting drift made the going difficult for Lt. Evans's party for a stretch of days, but they pushed on regardless. "Things are a bit better to-day," Lashly wrote. "Could see the land alright and where to steer for. It is so nice to have something to look at, but I am thinking we shall all have our work cut out to reach the depôt before our provisions run short. I am deducting a small portion each meal so that we shall not have to go without altogether if we don't bring up at the proper time. Have done about 14 miles." [2]
Amundsen
Good skiing back on the Barrier made for an easy day's run.
Bjaaland, encouraged perhaps by the sight of the skua the day before, totted up the distances to go. "Slept for seven hours, then out to run 15 m[iles] until we reach 82° then six hours' sleep until the 80th degree is reached, then 20 m until we arrive at Framheim." [3]
Notes
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 11 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] William Lashly, diary, 11 January, 1912, quoted by Apsley Cherry-Garrard in The Worst Journey in the World, ch.XII.
[3] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 12 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.239.
January 10, 2012
Wednesday, 10 January 1912
Scott
"T. -11°. Last depot 88° 29' S.; 159° 33' E.; Var. 180°. Terrible hard march in the morning," wrote Scott, "only covered 5.1 miles (geo.). Decided to leave depot at lunch camp. Built cairn and left one week's food together with sundry articles of clothing. We are down as close as we can go in the latter. We go forward with eighteen days' food. Yesterday I should have said certain to see us through, but now the surface is beyond words, and if it continues we shall have the greatest difficulty to keep our march long enough." [1]
Amundsen
Antarctic skua, February/March 2008. Photo by Mirko Thiessen. [2]
Amundsen, back on familiar ground, grew aware again of the race between himself and the British, and became impatient and testy. "[He] tolerates no opposition," Bjaaland wrote. "Sharp dispute over my goggles. Is he annoyed that I'm not using the Roaldish snow goggles?" [3] Bjaaland had made a pair based on the Eskimo design with slits, whereas Amundsen preferred glasses with tinted lenses.
Amundsen decided to sprint, running fifteen or twenty miles, camping for eight hours, going on again, regardless of day or night. They saw the last of the mountains, "a wonderful sight," Bjaaland said, "like a home of the trolls, glittering with silver and crystal" -- and two skuas, the first living creatures they had seen for over two months. "Good day, good day, dear skua-crow," wrote Bjaaland. "How are you doing? .... You go back to Lindstrøm and tell him we'll be there in 20 days and clean up his hot cakes, beef and fruit, even if it's green plums." [4]
Fourteen miles out from Framheim, Prestrud noticed Johansen peering intently out to sea. "On my asking him what in the world he was looking at," Prestrud recalled, "he replied 'I could almost swear it was a ship, but of course it's only a wretched iceberg.' We were just agreed upon this, when suddenly Johansen stopped short and began a hurried search for his long glass. 'Are you going to look at the Fram?' I asked ironically. 'Yes, I am,' he said; and while he turned the telescope upon the doubtful object far out in Ross Sea, we two stood waiting for a few endless seconds. 'It's the Fram sure enough, as large as life!' was the welcome announcement that broke our suspense. I glanced at Stubberud and saw his face expanding into its most amiable smile." [5]
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 10 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] Wikimedia Commons. The photograph used here is labelled Stercorarius chilensis; see Wikipedia on the "Brown skua" and e.g. Greg Lasley's page on the "Brown Skua (Catharacta antarctica)" for discussions of the taxonomy of Antarctic skuas.
[3] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 11 January 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.506.
[4] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 11 January 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.506.
[5] Kristian Prestrud, "The Eastern Sledge Journey", in Roald Amundsen's The South Pole, ch.15. Note that the date is given as 11th January 1912; see Hinks' note on dates in "The Observations of Amundsen and Scott at the South Pole" (The Geographical Journal, April 1944, p.169).
"T. -11°. Last depot 88° 29' S.; 159° 33' E.; Var. 180°. Terrible hard march in the morning," wrote Scott, "only covered 5.1 miles (geo.). Decided to leave depot at lunch camp. Built cairn and left one week's food together with sundry articles of clothing. We are down as close as we can go in the latter. We go forward with eighteen days' food. Yesterday I should have said certain to see us through, but now the surface is beyond words, and if it continues we shall have the greatest difficulty to keep our march long enough." [1]
Amundsen
Antarctic skua, February/March 2008. Photo by Mirko Thiessen. [2]Amundsen, back on familiar ground, grew aware again of the race between himself and the British, and became impatient and testy. "[He] tolerates no opposition," Bjaaland wrote. "Sharp dispute over my goggles. Is he annoyed that I'm not using the Roaldish snow goggles?" [3] Bjaaland had made a pair based on the Eskimo design with slits, whereas Amundsen preferred glasses with tinted lenses.
Amundsen decided to sprint, running fifteen or twenty miles, camping for eight hours, going on again, regardless of day or night. They saw the last of the mountains, "a wonderful sight," Bjaaland said, "like a home of the trolls, glittering with silver and crystal" -- and two skuas, the first living creatures they had seen for over two months. "Good day, good day, dear skua-crow," wrote Bjaaland. "How are you doing? .... You go back to Lindstrøm and tell him we'll be there in 20 days and clean up his hot cakes, beef and fruit, even if it's green plums." [4]
Fourteen miles out from Framheim, Prestrud noticed Johansen peering intently out to sea. "On my asking him what in the world he was looking at," Prestrud recalled, "he replied 'I could almost swear it was a ship, but of course it's only a wretched iceberg.' We were just agreed upon this, when suddenly Johansen stopped short and began a hurried search for his long glass. 'Are you going to look at the Fram?' I asked ironically. 'Yes, I am,' he said; and while he turned the telescope upon the doubtful object far out in Ross Sea, we two stood waiting for a few endless seconds. 'It's the Fram sure enough, as large as life!' was the welcome announcement that broke our suspense. I glanced at Stubberud and saw his face expanding into its most amiable smile." [5]
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 10 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] Wikimedia Commons. The photograph used here is labelled Stercorarius chilensis; see Wikipedia on the "Brown skua" and e.g. Greg Lasley's page on the "Brown Skua (Catharacta antarctica)" for discussions of the taxonomy of Antarctic skuas.
[3] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 11 January 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.506.
[4] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 11 January 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.506.
[5] Kristian Prestrud, "The Eastern Sledge Journey", in Roald Amundsen's The South Pole, ch.15. Note that the date is given as 11th January 1912; see Hinks' note on dates in "The Observations of Amundsen and Scott at the South Pole" (The Geographical Journal, April 1944, p.169).
January 9, 2012
Tuesday, 9 January 1912
Scott
The weather lifted, and the party was able to move on. "RECORD," Scott cheered in his diary at 88° 25', having passed Shackleton's Furthest South, three years to the day earlier. "All is new ahead." [1]
Amundsen
"Same filthy weather," wrote Amundsen on the second day of a storm. "Snow, snow, snow. Snow and snow again. Will it never end." [2]
"Snowdrift and snowfall and I have had a bloody job going first," noted Bjaaland, but despite the drift so bad that they could hardly see, and a temperature of -8° that melted the drift and soaked the sledges, they managed sixteen miles. [3] "The dogs coped splendidly," Amundsen added.
The Fram arrived in the Bay of Whales.
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 9 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] Roald Amundsen, diary, 10 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.234.
[3] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 10 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.235.
The weather lifted, and the party was able to move on. "RECORD," Scott cheered in his diary at 88° 25', having passed Shackleton's Furthest South, three years to the day earlier. "All is new ahead." [1]
Amundsen
"Same filthy weather," wrote Amundsen on the second day of a storm. "Snow, snow, snow. Snow and snow again. Will it never end." [2]
"Snowdrift and snowfall and I have had a bloody job going first," noted Bjaaland, but despite the drift so bad that they could hardly see, and a temperature of -8° that melted the drift and soaked the sledges, they managed sixteen miles. [3] "The dogs coped splendidly," Amundsen added.
The Fram arrived in the Bay of Whales.
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 9 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] Roald Amundsen, diary, 10 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.234.
[3] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 10 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.235.
January 5, 2012
Friday, 5 January 1912
Scott
"A dreadfully trying day," wrote Scott. "Light wind from the N.N.W. bringing detached cloud and constant fall of ice crystals. The surface, in consequence, as bad as could be after the first hour.... The sastrugi seemed to increase as we advanced and they have changed direction from S.W. to S. by W. In the afternoon a good deal of confusing cross sastrugi, and to-night a very rough surface with evidences of hard southerly wind. Luckily the sledge shows no signs of capsizing yet." [1]
The temperatures here at 10,400 ft. (3170 m) averaged -21° F (-30° C).
"Cooking for five," he added, "takes a seriously longer time than cooking for four; perhaps half an hour on the whole day. It is an item I had not considered when reorganising."
"We go little over a mile and a quarter an hour now.... What lots of things we think of on these monotonous marches! What castles one builds now hopefully that the Pole is ours."
Amundsen
Amundsen, not immune to the beauties of his surroundings, stood for a long time before setting off for the day, contemplating the mountains. Above Mount Ole Engelstad, he wrote in his diary, "lay a little cirrus cloud, gold-edged in the morning sun. And over there lies Håkonshallen partly illuminated, partly in the shade. If only I could paint!" [3]
After a stomach-lurching moment when Bjaaland, in front as usual, came abruptly to a stop with the tips of his skis over the edge of the upper ice falls with apparently empty space below, the going was easy. "Loose snow," Amundsen noted, "so that the ski sank about 2 inches: iced and grainy so that the skis glided as if on a greased surface.... We tore down like a rushing wind. A wonderful sport."
"I had many good runs," Bjaaland noted, "and raced with the Captain." [4]
The dog drivers did not have quite so much fun, with their loaded sledges and the dogs sinking to their knees in the loose snow, but they descended the 4,500 feet in eleven and a half miles, to camp where they had done 47 days earlier.
"Thank God we are back in the lowlands," wrote Bjaaland, "and can breathe in a decent way ... after 6 weeks' hard existence in the dry cold air." [5]
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 5 January 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.223-224.
[2] Blue~Canoe, at Flickr.
[3] Roald Amundsen, diary, 6 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.226. Håkonshallen was later renamed Mount Don Pedro Christophersen, after Amundsen's benefactor.
[4] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 6 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.504.
[5] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 5-6 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.505.
"A dreadfully trying day," wrote Scott. "Light wind from the N.N.W. bringing detached cloud and constant fall of ice crystals. The surface, in consequence, as bad as could be after the first hour.... The sastrugi seemed to increase as we advanced and they have changed direction from S.W. to S. by W. In the afternoon a good deal of confusing cross sastrugi, and to-night a very rough surface with evidences of hard southerly wind. Luckily the sledge shows no signs of capsizing yet." [1]
The temperatures here at 10,400 ft. (3170 m) averaged -21° F (-30° C).
"Cooking for five," he added, "takes a seriously longer time than cooking for four; perhaps half an hour on the whole day. It is an item I had not considered when reorganising."
"We go little over a mile and a quarter an hour now.... What lots of things we think of on these monotonous marches! What castles one builds now hopefully that the Pole is ours."
Amundsen
The Axel Heiberg Glacier, looking up towards the Polar Plateau, taken from the air on an unknown date. [2]
Amundsen, not immune to the beauties of his surroundings, stood for a long time before setting off for the day, contemplating the mountains. Above Mount Ole Engelstad, he wrote in his diary, "lay a little cirrus cloud, gold-edged in the morning sun. And over there lies Håkonshallen partly illuminated, partly in the shade. If only I could paint!" [3]
After a stomach-lurching moment when Bjaaland, in front as usual, came abruptly to a stop with the tips of his skis over the edge of the upper ice falls with apparently empty space below, the going was easy. "Loose snow," Amundsen noted, "so that the ski sank about 2 inches: iced and grainy so that the skis glided as if on a greased surface.... We tore down like a rushing wind. A wonderful sport."
"I had many good runs," Bjaaland noted, "and raced with the Captain." [4]
The dog drivers did not have quite so much fun, with their loaded sledges and the dogs sinking to their knees in the loose snow, but they descended the 4,500 feet in eleven and a half miles, to camp where they had done 47 days earlier.
"Thank God we are back in the lowlands," wrote Bjaaland, "and can breathe in a decent way ... after 6 weeks' hard existence in the dry cold air." [5]
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 5 January 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.223-224.
[2] Blue~Canoe, at Flickr.
[3] Roald Amundsen, diary, 6 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.226. Håkonshallen was later renamed Mount Don Pedro Christophersen, after Amundsen's benefactor.
[4] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 6 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.504.
[5] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 5-6 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.505.
January 4, 2012
Thursday, 4 January 1912
Scott
Here at 87°32'S, Lt. Evans, Crean, and Lashly turned back for Cape Evans. They were less than 150 miles from the Pole. "Teddy Evans is terribly disappointed but has taken it very well and behaved like a man. Poor old Crean wept and even Lashly was affected," Scott wrote. "I was glad to find their sledge is a mere nothing to them, and thus, no doubt, they will make a quick journey back." [1] Wilson was "very sorry for Teddy Evans as he has spent 2 1/2 years in working for a place on this polar journey." [2]
Oates told Evans, "I'm afraid, Teddy, you won't have much of a 'slope' going back, but old Christopher [Oates' pony] is waiting to be eaten on the Barrier when you get there." [3]
Evans carried a number of messages from Scott, to Kathleen, to the press -- "I am remaining in the Antarctic for another winter in order to continue and complete my work" -- and a verbal one to Meares, changing the orders for the dogs, for the fourth time. He wanted Meares to come out with the dogs and meet them between 82° and 83° S some time in the middle of February, in order to hurry the Polar party back in time to catch the ship.
The three men followed the Polar party for a few miles, stopped, gave three cheers, and turned for home.
Bowers found it difficult to keep up with the team, sinking sometimes to his knees in the snow. "It is a long slog with a well-loaded sledge," he wrote, "and more tiring for me than the others, as I have no ski. However, as long as I can do my share all day and keep fit it does not matter much one way or the other." [4]
"At present everything seems to be going with extraordinary smoothness, and one can scarcely believe that obstacles will not present themselves to make our task more difficult." [5]
Lashly wrote that evening, "We travelled a long time so as to make the best of it while the weather was suitable, as we have to keep up a good pace on the food allowance. It wont do [sic] to lay up much. One thing since we left Mt. Darwin, we have had weather we could travel in, although we have not seen the sun much of late. We did 13 miles as near as we can guess by the cairns we have passed. We have not got a sledge meter so shall have to go by guess all the way home." Cherry added here later, "Owing to the loss of a sledge meter on the Beardmore Glacier one of the three parties had to return without one. A sledge meter gives the navigator his dead reckoning, indicating the miles travelled, like the log of a ship. To be deprived of it in a wilderness of snow without landmarks adds enormously to the difficulties and anxieties of a sledge party." [6]
Back at Hut Point, Meares and Dimitri arrived with the dogs.
Amundsen
The Norwegians reached the Butcher's Shop and their depot of dog carcasses.
It was Helmer Hanssen, Amundsen wrote gratefully, "who, with his sharp eyes, discovered [the depot]. Had that not been the case, I don't quite know what would have happened. The place was completely unrecognisable -- just as if we had never seen it before." Their earlier visit had been in fog. "No, to travel blind in these surroundings is fairly dangerous. I thought I recognized the land yesterday, but subsequently it proved to be absolutely wrong." [7]
He also realised that he had "overestimated the heights of the mountains a lot in the misty atmosphere on the southwards journey." He decided, correctly as it turned out, that they were only twelve to thirteen thousand feet, not eighteen to twenty thousand as he had written to King Haakon, and which earlier Bjaaland "had found so damned difficult to believe." [8]
Stopping only long enough to feed the dogs and load the sledges with the meat from the depot, they "shot off, pell mell, down the slopes, the one worse than the other," as Bjaaland put it. The sledges were braked with ropes wound around the runners. They dropped 3,000 feet from the Butcher's Shop to the upper terrace of the Axel Heiberg Glacier in an hour and a half, having done 23 miles for the day. "[We] have our tent in a warm and cosy place where the sun is in the process of melting us," Amundsen wrote. "The dogs are resting contentedly in the sunshine having devoured a huge portion of dog meat plus pemmican.... Well, we are down from the Plateau again, and we are all extremely glad. We have been comfortable there, but we long for the 'Barrier', which is an old friend. Once down there, we count ourselves as good as home. We have got food there all over the place." [9]
They had been 45 days on the Polar Plateau.
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 4 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] E.A. Wilson, diary, 4 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.475.
[3] E.R.G.R. Evans, South With Scott, p.207, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.475.
[4] H.R. Bowers, diary, 4 January, 1912, quoted by Apsley Cherry-Garrard in The Worst Journey in the World, ch.XVII.
[5] R.F. Scott, diary, 4 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[6] William Lashly, diary, 4 January, 1912, quoted by Apsley Cherry-Garrard in The Worst Journey in the World, ch.XII.
[7] Roald Amundsen, diary, 5 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.224.
[8] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 5 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.225.
[9] Roald Amundsen, diary, 5 January 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.503-504.
Here at 87°32'S, Lt. Evans, Crean, and Lashly turned back for Cape Evans. They were less than 150 miles from the Pole. "Teddy Evans is terribly disappointed but has taken it very well and behaved like a man. Poor old Crean wept and even Lashly was affected," Scott wrote. "I was glad to find their sledge is a mere nothing to them, and thus, no doubt, they will make a quick journey back." [1] Wilson was "very sorry for Teddy Evans as he has spent 2 1/2 years in working for a place on this polar journey." [2]
Oates told Evans, "I'm afraid, Teddy, you won't have much of a 'slope' going back, but old Christopher [Oates' pony] is waiting to be eaten on the Barrier when you get there." [3]
Evans carried a number of messages from Scott, to Kathleen, to the press -- "I am remaining in the Antarctic for another winter in order to continue and complete my work" -- and a verbal one to Meares, changing the orders for the dogs, for the fourth time. He wanted Meares to come out with the dogs and meet them between 82° and 83° S some time in the middle of February, in order to hurry the Polar party back in time to catch the ship.
The three men followed the Polar party for a few miles, stopped, gave three cheers, and turned for home.
Bowers found it difficult to keep up with the team, sinking sometimes to his knees in the snow. "It is a long slog with a well-loaded sledge," he wrote, "and more tiring for me than the others, as I have no ski. However, as long as I can do my share all day and keep fit it does not matter much one way or the other." [4]
"At present everything seems to be going with extraordinary smoothness, and one can scarcely believe that obstacles will not present themselves to make our task more difficult." [5]
Lashly wrote that evening, "We travelled a long time so as to make the best of it while the weather was suitable, as we have to keep up a good pace on the food allowance. It wont do [sic] to lay up much. One thing since we left Mt. Darwin, we have had weather we could travel in, although we have not seen the sun much of late. We did 13 miles as near as we can guess by the cairns we have passed. We have not got a sledge meter so shall have to go by guess all the way home." Cherry added here later, "Owing to the loss of a sledge meter on the Beardmore Glacier one of the three parties had to return without one. A sledge meter gives the navigator his dead reckoning, indicating the miles travelled, like the log of a ship. To be deprived of it in a wilderness of snow without landmarks adds enormously to the difficulties and anxieties of a sledge party." [6]
Back at Hut Point, Meares and Dimitri arrived with the dogs.
Amundsen
The Norwegians reached the Butcher's Shop and their depot of dog carcasses.
It was Helmer Hanssen, Amundsen wrote gratefully, "who, with his sharp eyes, discovered [the depot]. Had that not been the case, I don't quite know what would have happened. The place was completely unrecognisable -- just as if we had never seen it before." Their earlier visit had been in fog. "No, to travel blind in these surroundings is fairly dangerous. I thought I recognized the land yesterday, but subsequently it proved to be absolutely wrong." [7]
He also realised that he had "overestimated the heights of the mountains a lot in the misty atmosphere on the southwards journey." He decided, correctly as it turned out, that they were only twelve to thirteen thousand feet, not eighteen to twenty thousand as he had written to King Haakon, and which earlier Bjaaland "had found so damned difficult to believe." [8]
Stopping only long enough to feed the dogs and load the sledges with the meat from the depot, they "shot off, pell mell, down the slopes, the one worse than the other," as Bjaaland put it. The sledges were braked with ropes wound around the runners. They dropped 3,000 feet from the Butcher's Shop to the upper terrace of the Axel Heiberg Glacier in an hour and a half, having done 23 miles for the day. "[We] have our tent in a warm and cosy place where the sun is in the process of melting us," Amundsen wrote. "The dogs are resting contentedly in the sunshine having devoured a huge portion of dog meat plus pemmican.... Well, we are down from the Plateau again, and we are all extremely glad. We have been comfortable there, but we long for the 'Barrier', which is an old friend. Once down there, we count ourselves as good as home. We have got food there all over the place." [9]
They had been 45 days on the Polar Plateau.
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 4 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] E.A. Wilson, diary, 4 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.475.
[3] E.R.G.R. Evans, South With Scott, p.207, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.475.
[4] H.R. Bowers, diary, 4 January, 1912, quoted by Apsley Cherry-Garrard in The Worst Journey in the World, ch.XVII.
[5] R.F. Scott, diary, 4 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[6] William Lashly, diary, 4 January, 1912, quoted by Apsley Cherry-Garrard in The Worst Journey in the World, ch.XII.
[7] Roald Amundsen, diary, 5 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.224.
[8] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 5 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.225.
[9] Roald Amundsen, diary, 5 January 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.503-504.
January 2, 2012
Tuesday, 2 January 1912
Scott
It was, Scott noted in his diary, "a plod for the foot people and pretty easy going for us." [1]
Amundsen
The Norwegians were forced by fog to camp soon after starting in the evening. "[But] just as we had got our pemmican down, the sun broke through, and shortly after it was the finest weather. In a quarter of an hour, we had packed up and were under way ... directly West in the hope of finding the depot ... but no depot was there to see." [2] Deep wave formations obscured their view, and they quickly agreed not to waste time floundering about but to head straight for the Butcher's Shop.
A familiar ridge of ice made them realise that they were indeed too far to the west, and, turning eastwards soon found their bearings at last and could see the point at the foot of the Devil's Glacier where the depot lay, behind them. "Under these circumstances," Amundsen wrote, "we all thought it would be wrong to leave the depot without trying to find it." [3] He sent Bjaaland and Helmer Hanssen back with Hanssen's unloaded sledge. With Bjaaland as forerunner, Hanssen wrote later, "the dogs had as much as they could to follow him. He wasn't from Telemark and an old Holmenkollen skier for nothing." [4]
The terrain, though, was harder than the two men expected, and they worried that they would be caught by the weather without sleeping bags. "[The] Captain said he thought it was 8 miles," Bjaaland wrote, "but rubbish I said. We went 11 miles, partly in fog and drift, without seeing anything. Luckily it cleared a little ahead, and soon we saw the [depot flags] across our course [about two] miles away, and our pleasure was vast, you can be sure." [5]
Reaching the depot, the two first gave their dogs a double ration of pemmican, with a little chocolate for themselves, and then loaded the supplies onto the empty sledge and started back. The return journey "went like a bomb," Bjaaland said. "After 10 hours on the march we were back at the camp [and] now we are rich in provisions." [6]
Amundsen, having stayed up the whole time that Bjaaland and Hanssen were gone, saw them reappear over the top of an ice ridge and rushed into the tent to wake the others, and to start up the primus to melt water. He wrote proudly in his diary that the two men had done forty-two miles with no rest and little food, "at an average speed of 3 miles an hour! Come and say that dogs are useless in this terrain." [7]
He also realised why he had been lost, that some error in navigation had gotten them a point and a half (17 degrees) off-course.
It was five days to the next depot, and they had ten days' rations for men and dogs, as well as emergency reserves.
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 2 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] Roald Amundsen, diary, 3 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.501.
[3] Roald Amundsen, diary, 3 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.501.
[4] Helmer Hanssen, Gjennem Isbaksen, p. 98, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.501.
[5] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 3 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.500-501.
[6] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 3 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.500-501.
[7] Roald Amundsen, diary, 3 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.502.
It was, Scott noted in his diary, "a plod for the foot people and pretty easy going for us." [1]
Amundsen
The Norwegians were forced by fog to camp soon after starting in the evening. "[But] just as we had got our pemmican down, the sun broke through, and shortly after it was the finest weather. In a quarter of an hour, we had packed up and were under way ... directly West in the hope of finding the depot ... but no depot was there to see." [2] Deep wave formations obscured their view, and they quickly agreed not to waste time floundering about but to head straight for the Butcher's Shop.
A familiar ridge of ice made them realise that they were indeed too far to the west, and, turning eastwards soon found their bearings at last and could see the point at the foot of the Devil's Glacier where the depot lay, behind them. "Under these circumstances," Amundsen wrote, "we all thought it would be wrong to leave the depot without trying to find it." [3] He sent Bjaaland and Helmer Hanssen back with Hanssen's unloaded sledge. With Bjaaland as forerunner, Hanssen wrote later, "the dogs had as much as they could to follow him. He wasn't from Telemark and an old Holmenkollen skier for nothing." [4]
The terrain, though, was harder than the two men expected, and they worried that they would be caught by the weather without sleeping bags. "[The] Captain said he thought it was 8 miles," Bjaaland wrote, "but rubbish I said. We went 11 miles, partly in fog and drift, without seeing anything. Luckily it cleared a little ahead, and soon we saw the [depot flags] across our course [about two] miles away, and our pleasure was vast, you can be sure." [5]
Reaching the depot, the two first gave their dogs a double ration of pemmican, with a little chocolate for themselves, and then loaded the supplies onto the empty sledge and started back. The return journey "went like a bomb," Bjaaland said. "After 10 hours on the march we were back at the camp [and] now we are rich in provisions." [6]
Amundsen, having stayed up the whole time that Bjaaland and Hanssen were gone, saw them reappear over the top of an ice ridge and rushed into the tent to wake the others, and to start up the primus to melt water. He wrote proudly in his diary that the two men had done forty-two miles with no rest and little food, "at an average speed of 3 miles an hour! Come and say that dogs are useless in this terrain." [7]
He also realised why he had been lost, that some error in navigation had gotten them a point and a half (17 degrees) off-course.
It was five days to the next depot, and they had ten days' rations for men and dogs, as well as emergency reserves.
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 2 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] Roald Amundsen, diary, 3 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.501.
[3] Roald Amundsen, diary, 3 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.501.
[4] Helmer Hanssen, Gjennem Isbaksen, p. 98, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.501.
[5] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 3 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.500-501.
[6] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 3 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.500-501.
[7] Roald Amundsen, diary, 3 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.502.
January 1, 2012
Monday, 1 January 1912
Scott
"Stick of chocolate to celebrate the New Year," wrote Scott. "The supporting party not in very high spirits, they have not managed matters well for themselves. Prospects seem to get brighter -- only 170 miles to go and plenty of food left." [1]
That evening, with an extra cup of tea in the newly-double-lined tent, the five officers sat up until two in the morning, writing and talking. Oates, Lt. Evans recalled, "talked on and on, and his big, kind, brown eyes sparkled as he recalled little boyish escapades at Eton. ... [He] talked for some hours. At length Captain Scott reached out and affectionately seized him in the way that was itself characteristic of our leader, and said, 'You funny old thing, you have quite come out of your shell, Soldier. Do you know, we have all sat here talking for nearly four hours?'... [That night,] we warmed to each other in a way that we had never thought of, quite oblivious to cold, hardship, scant rations, or the great monotony of sledge hauling." [2]
Amundsen
The Norwegians reached the Devil's Glacier, but having arrived back at a different spot had hit a path between the chasms and avoided the Devil's Ballroom completely. "We were bloody lucky," Amundsen wrote with obvious relief. "In a few hours the whole glacier was conquered." [3]
They still were not completely certain where they were, and thus of the location of their next depot at the edge of the glacier. "The Captain thinks we are East of the depot," Bjaaland wrote, "so do the others. I, on the other hand, believe just as firmly that were are a little to the West. Tomorrow we shall see." [4]
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, 1 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition : the Journals, v.1. This is apparently a bowdlerized version, as Roland Huntford gives the phrase as "they have mismanaged matters for themselves" (Race for the South Pole, p.216).
[2] E.R.G.R. Evans, "My Recollections of a Gallant Comrade", Strand Magazine, December 1913, quoted by Sue Limb and Patrick Cordingly in Captain Oates, Soldier and Explorer (London : Batsford, 1982), p.152.
[3] Roald Amundsen, diary, 2 January 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.500.
[4] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 2 January 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.500.
"Stick of chocolate to celebrate the New Year," wrote Scott. "The supporting party not in very high spirits, they have not managed matters well for themselves. Prospects seem to get brighter -- only 170 miles to go and plenty of food left." [1]
That evening, with an extra cup of tea in the newly-double-lined tent, the five officers sat up until two in the morning, writing and talking. Oates, Lt. Evans recalled, "talked on and on, and his big, kind, brown eyes sparkled as he recalled little boyish escapades at Eton. ... [He] talked for some hours. At length Captain Scott reached out and affectionately seized him in the way that was itself characteristic of our leader, and said, 'You funny old thing, you have quite come out of your shell, Soldier. Do you know, we have all sat here talking for nearly four hours?'... [That night,] we warmed to each other in a way that we had never thought of, quite oblivious to cold, hardship, scant rations, or the great monotony of sledge hauling." [2]
Amundsen
The Norwegians reached the Devil's Glacier, but having arrived back at a different spot had hit a path between the chasms and avoided the Devil's Ballroom completely. "We were bloody lucky," Amundsen wrote with obvious relief. "In a few hours the whole glacier was conquered." [3]
They still were not completely certain where they were, and thus of the location of their next depot at the edge of the glacier. "The Captain thinks we are East of the depot," Bjaaland wrote, "so do the others. I, on the other hand, believe just as firmly that were are a little to the West. Tomorrow we shall see." [4]
Notes:
[1] R.F. Scott, 1 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition : the Journals, v.1. This is apparently a bowdlerized version, as Roland Huntford gives the phrase as "they have mismanaged matters for themselves" (Race for the South Pole, p.216).
[2] E.R.G.R. Evans, "My Recollections of a Gallant Comrade", Strand Magazine, December 1913, quoted by Sue Limb and Patrick Cordingly in Captain Oates, Soldier and Explorer (London : Batsford, 1982), p.152.
[3] Roald Amundsen, diary, 2 January 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.500.
[4] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 2 January 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.500.
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