Tribute to Scott

You may remember way back in December we celebrated 100 years at the South Pole. The south pole was reached by two different teams within almost a month of each other. The first team to reach the pole was the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen. The second team was led by the British explorer Robert Scott. Roald Aundsen's expedition went quite smoothly. Scott's on the other hand, did not. Scott and his 5 man team reached the pole on January 17th, but getting there was only half the battle, because they then had to make the 800 mile return trip.

On Feburay 7th, one of Scotts men, Edgar Evens, died of hypothermia.

On March 16th,  Lawrence Oats, who was in very poor health and knew he was slowing the team down gave his famous quote, "I am just going outside and may be some time," and then left the team in hopes that they would survive.

On March 19th, a blizzard kicked up, forcing the remaining three men to make camp to wait out the storm. This was the last camp made by the team. Scotts last journal entry was on March 29th, 100 years ago today, and he is assumed to have died shortly afterwards.

We pay tribute to Scott today. He died for discovery. He knew that what he was doing was risky, or at the very least difficult and uncomfortable , but went ahead anyways. Science, is ultimately about discovery and so any man who is willing to live and die for it is worthy of our respect.

Scotts Team at the South Pole. 

"We took risks, we knew we took them; things have come out against us, and therefore we have no cause for complaint, but bow to the will of Providence, determined still to do our best to the last ... Had we lived, I should have had a tale to tell of the hardihood, endurance, and courage of my companions which would have stirred the heart of every Englishman."

For a more detailed account of Scotts expedition, CLICK HERE!

By Ben Segee