Shackleton's Ross Sea Party used this
Hut after Scott's death (though not Shackleton himself who was having
his own epic expedition on the other side of the Antarctic Continent
at the time), so not all is quite as Scott left it, but much is.
The wind was terrible outside the Hut,
but all was quiet within, also rather dark, except in one corner where
a window was clear of the snow. Dressed in our cold weather gear, we
were quite warm inside the Hut. It is quite remarkable how much they
were able to accomplish given the limitations of their technology. But
where there is a will, there is a way. Unfortunately, even with a flashlight,
it was so dark inside that it was difficult to see any detail. It is
only on review that I can see details which were captured by the camera's
flash. For example, I only just noticed the penguin lying on the table.
To go outside, one goes through three doorways with at least two doors,
set at a 90 degree angle to each other. Presumably to keep out the wind.
The outer door is also set at a 90 degree angle to the prevailing winds,
if one can judge by the wind we had while there, which was coming down
the slope towards the sea ice.
14th October 2007
