Site of Campbells' Igloo

IN THE WINTER OF 1912,
CAMPBELL, PRIESTLEY, LEVICK, ABBOTT, BROWING + DICKASON
WERE FORCED TO SNOW-CAVE
ON THIS SITE, WHEN THE
H.M.S. TERRA NOVA FAILED
TO PICK THEM UP
                                                  N.Z.A.R.P 1963

A weathered sign and stone cairn mark the site of 'Campbell's Igloo' on Inexpressible Island. In January 1912 six men of Scott's 'Terra Nova' expedition, led by Lt Victor Campbell RN, were dropped off on this small island with the aim of exploring some of the coast of Victoria Land for a few weeks.

Unfortunately, thickening sea ice meant that the ship was unable to return to pick up the party, forcing them instead to dig a snow-cave on the island and to spend the entire winter there living off a diet of penguins and seals.

In September 1912, the six men set off on a 90-mile trek across the ice to Ross Island, reaching Hut Point safely on 6TH November - only to learn that Scott's own party had failed to return from the Pole.

Overshadowed by the tragic news of Scott and the others, the remarkable tale of survival of Campbell's Northern Party is little known. The site is marked by this cairn.

Picture courtesy of Mike Usher - Mike went on a Ross Sea expedition on board the Kapitan Khlebnikov in 2005.
You can purchase a selection of Mike's pictures here