Scott's Hut (1911- Terra Nova Expedition), with a line of visitors waiting to go in
McMurdo Station - Antarctica

Note the depression in the snow, with a way cleared to the door. This is a windscoop which often forms around buildings where there is significant snowfall and even more significant winds. The wind curls back from the building carrying snow with it which it dumps on the increasing scoop some few metres from the building.

The hut was later occupied by the Ross Sea party of Shackleton's 1914-1917 Trans-Antarctic Expedition, supplies from both expeditions are still in the hut.

The hut is currently (2008) in danger of permanent damage due to snow and ice build-up and from bacterial and fungal attack of the timbers and other materials and artefacts of the hut. 100 tons of snow and ice can accumulate within just a few months. The hut was dug out by American expeditioners during Operation Deep Freeze in 1956 at which point it was completely buried under snow and ice, but found to be in a remarkable state of preservation inside.

The hut is on the top 100 list of the World Monuments Fund endangered sites.

14th October 2007