Springboard Stories Issue 2: Snow 1/6

Extracts from Scott’s diary

These are extracts from the diary of Robert Falcon Scott, written on his
expedition to the South Pole. Read the extracts and try to imagine what
the experience must have been like for Scott and his men.

Saturday, January 28th 1911

We saw a dark object a quarter of a mile north as we
reached the Barrier. I walked over and found it to be the
tops of two tents more than half buried – Shackleton’s tents
we suppose. A moulting Emperor penguin was sleeping
between them. The canvas on one tent seemed intact, but
half stripped from the other.
The ponies pulled splendidly to-day, as also the dogs,
but we have decided to load both lightly from now on, to
march them easily, and to keep as much life as possible
in them. There is much to be learnt as to their powers of
performance. Keohane says ‘Come on, lad, you’ll be getting
to the Pole’ by way of cheering his animal – all the party is
cheerful, there never were a better set of people.

Friday, March 31st, 1911

We are good for another week in pretty well every
commodity and shall then have to reduce luxuries. But
we have plenty of seal meat, blubber and biscuit, and can
therefore remain for a much longer period if needs be.
Meanwhile the days are growing shorter and the weather
colder.

www.springboardstories.co.uk/issue2 © Springboard Stories 2012

Springboard Stories Issue 2: Snow 2/6

Extracts from Scott’s diary

These are extracts from the diary of Robert Falcon Scott, written on his
expedition to the South Pole. Read the extracts and try to imagine what
the experience must have been like for Scott and his men.

Thursday, November 30th, 1911

A very pleasant day for marching, but a very tiring march for
the poor animals, which, with the exception of Nobby, are
showing signs of failure all round. We were slower by half
an hour or more than yesterday. Except that the loads are
light now and there are still eight animals left, things don’t
look too pleasant, but we should be less than 60 miles from
our first point of aim. The surface was much worse to-day,
the ponies sinking to their knees very often. There were a
few harder patches towards the end of the march. In spite
of the sun there was not much ‘glide’ on the snow. The dogs
are reported as doing very well. They are going to be a great
standby, no doubt. The land has been veiled in thin white
mist; it appeared at intervals after we camped and I had
taken a couple of photographs.

www.springboardstories.co.uk/issue2 © Springboard Stories 2012

Springboard Stories Issue 2: Snow 3/6

Extracts from Scott’s diary

These are extracts from the diary of Robert Falcon Scott, written on his
expedition to the South Pole. Read the extracts and try to imagine what
the experience must have been like for Scott and his men.

Tuesday, January 16th, 1912

The worst has happened, or nearly the worst. We marched
well in the morning and covered 7 ½ miles. Noon sight
showed us in Lat. 89º 42′ S., and we started off in high
spirits in the afternoon, feeling that to-morrow would
see us at our destination. About the second hour of the
March Bowers’ sharp eyes detected what he thought was
a cairn; he was uneasy about it, but argued that it must be
a sastrugus. Half an hour later he detected a black speck
ahead. Soon we knew that this could not be a natural snow
feature. We marched on, found that it was a black flag tied
to a sledge bearer; near by the remains of a camp; sledge
tracks and ski tracks going and coming and the clear trace
of dogs’ paws – many dogs. This told us the whole story. The
Norwegians have forestalled us and are first at the Pole. It
is a terrible disappointment, and I am very sorry for my loyal
companions. Many thoughts come and much discussion
have we had. To-morrow we must march on to the Pole and
then hasten home with all the speed we can compass. All
the day dreams must go; it will be a wearisome return. We
are descending in altitude – certainly also the Norwegians
found an easy way up.

www.springboardstories.co.uk/issue2 © Springboard Stories 2012

Springboard Stories Issue 2: Snow 4/6

Extracts from Scott’s diary

These are extracts from the diary of Robert Falcon Scott, written on his
expedition to the South Pole. Read the extracts and try to imagine what
the experience must have been like for Scott and his men.

Sunday, March 17th, 1912

Lost track of dates, but think the last correct. Tragedy all
along the line. At lunch, the day before yesterday, poor Titus
Oates said he couldn’t go on; he proposed we should leave
him in his sleeping-bag. That we could not do, and induced
him to come on, on the afternoon march. In spite of its awful
nature for him he struggled on and we made a few miles. At
night he was worse and we knew the end had come.
Should this be found I want these facts recorded. Oates’
last thoughts were of his Mother, but immediately before he
took pride in thinking that his regiment would be pleased
with the bold way in which he met his death. We can testify
to his bravery. He has borne intense suffering for weeks
without complaint, and to the very last was able and willing
to discuss outside subjects. He did not – would not – give up
hope to the very end. He was a brave soul. This was the end.
He slept through the night before last, hoping not to wake;
but he woke in the morning – yesterday. It was blowing a
blizzard. He said, ‘I am just going outside and may be some
time.’ He went out into the blizzard and we have not seen
him since.

www.springboardstories.co.uk/issue2 © Springboard Stories 2012

Springboard Stories Issue 2: Snow 5/6

Extracts from Scott’s diary

These are extracts from the diary of Robert Falcon Scott, written on his
expedition to the South Pole. Read the extracts and try to imagine what
the experience must have been like for Scott and his men.

March 19th, 1912

Lunch. We camped with difficulty last night, and were
dreadfully cold till after our supper of cold pemmican and
biscuit and a half a pannikin of cocoa cooked over the
spirit. Then, contrary to expectation, we got warm and all
slept well. To-day we started in the usual dragging manner.
Sledge dreadfully heavy. We are 15½ miles from the depot
and ought to get there in three days. What progress! We
have two days’ food but barely a day’s fuel. All our feet are
getting bad – Wilson’s best, my right foot worst, left all
right. There is no chance to nurse one’s feet till we can get
hot food into us. Amputation is the least I can hope for now,
but will the trouble spread? That is the serious question. The
weather doesn’t give us a chance – the wind from N. to N.W.
and -40º temp, to-day.

www.springboardstories.co.uk/issue2 © Springboard Stories 2012

Springboard Stories Issue 2: Snow 6/6

Extracts from Scott’s diary

These are extracts from the diary of Robert Falcon Scott, written on his
expedition to the South Pole. Read the extracts and try to imagine what
the experience must have been like for Scott and his men.

Friday, March 29th, 1912

Since the 21st we have had a continuous gale from W.S.W.
and S.W. We had fuel to make two cups of tea apiece and
bare food for two days on the 20th. Every day we have been
ready to start for our depot 11 miles away, but outside the
door of the tent it remains a scene of whirling drift. I do not
think we can hope for any better things now. We shall stick it
out to the end, but we are getting weaker, of course, and the
end cannot be far.
It seems a pity, but I do not think I can write more.

R. SCOTT.

For God’s sake look after our people.

www.springboardstories.co.uk/issue2 © Springboard Stories 2012