Images of

ANTARCTICA

Sledging Trip

Photos © 2002 Seth White

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This is the whole sledging idea: people harnessed to a heavy sled, pulling like mad. This event was an unofficial endeavor, intended to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Scott setting off on his first attempt at the Pole. He started from Hut Point, about 1/2 mile from McMurdo Station. So we harnessed up and pulled a couple sleds from here to Scott Base along the Cape Armitage loop, which is about 3 miles over the sea ice. Along the way we probably sledged across some of the exact same spots that Scott, Shackleton, and Wilson did. If this looks like fun, it isn't. Sledging is hard work. We pulled the sled for 3 miles, Scott's party went for 960 total miles and were still hundreds of miles from the Pole when they had to turn back. Plus, they started off pulling twice as much weight per person as we did. They actually did bring sled dogs, but were inexperienced dog handlers. The dog rations they brought were also found to be spoiled, so the dogs quickly became unmotivated and useless, and the men decided to pull the sleds themselves. That must have been a hell of a trip. No wonder they almost died. (Photo by Joan Myers)

Another closeup of the sledging operation (by Joan Myers).
The sled, full of simulated scurvy victims. Shackleton came down with scurvy on this journey, and legend has it he had to be carried on the sled. This is probably untrue, but we loaded the sleds with idle passengers for ballast weight anyway.
Another picture of the freeloaders.
The sledging operation, in all its glory.
Manhauling a sled. How noble and romantic. Makes me get all teary-eyed just thinking about it.
Just leaving McMurdo. Scott's party started out in very high spirits and they made great time for a short while. But after 2 weeks things started to go drastically wrong for them, and stayed that way through the rest of the 93 day journey. Still, they made it just past 82 degrees South, the farthest anyone had ever reached.
Rearward view of McMurdo as we sledged farther out on the sea ice.
Some poseur trying to look heroic for the camera.
Me again, dragging the lazy scurvy victims along in their sled of luxury.
As we, the simulated Brits (and Irish), were dutifully sledging along, this guy comes skiing by with a Norwegian Flag. He was our competition - the simulated Amundsen. The actual 'race for the Pole' didn't occur until 1911, but he still provided motivation for us to finish. And naturally, he beat us to Scott Base.
View approaching Scott Base.
Getting close to our destination....
Soaking up well-deserved beers at Scott Base. The Kiwis opened their bar just for us...can't beat NZ hospitality.
More relaxation at Scott Base.
This picture actually made it to the NY Times. I'm pulling the sled on the 'driver side', in the back. Joan Myers, the ace photographer in residence, was there to meet us on our arrival at Scott Base. She snapped a couple pics, and sent them to the times. And whaddayaknow, one of them got printed. So this here is officially my 15 minutes of fame.
The Antarctic Sun (all the news that's deemed fit to print) ran a picture of this sledging trip on November 10, 2002. Here is a copy of this particular issue (.pdf file)