Sir Ranulph Sprightly has been exploring the areas surrounding McMurdo station on Antarctica and reporting back with fascinating facts and some spectacular photo's. Here's what he had to say...
'Trevor, or Hocho as he's also known around these parts, has been kind enough to show me around before I strike out for the South Pole itself.
I've also been doing additional research and I've learned that McMurdo is populated by about a thousand people. A few scientists, and whole squadron loads of support staff. In fact they outnumber the scientists about 10 to 1 here.
I'll turn you over to Trevor now, who can explain what I've been up to lately...'
'Sprightly also ventured out to Hut Point on the edge of Ross Island.
This is where Scott built one of the first structures in Antarctica (1902). Scott's Hut served as a research facility, food depot and warm-up shelter. The building still stands today; the exterior has been refurbished a bit.
The cross was put up in honor of one of the crew members who died on a Scott expedition. That's me (Hocho) in the photo with black hat & jacket.
The decayed seal carcass is left from Scott's era: considered "historical" and will likely be there another 100 years! The carcass sits just outside Scott's Hut.'
'Thanks Trevor!
Of course what Trevor doesn't know is that to sustain me on my journey to the Pole I tore off a few strips of seal jerkey, after a little taster just to make sure it still made for good eating!
I can tell you for a fact, if my extended family did live around these parts there'd be no seal banquets like this sitting about for long.
Mmmm. Yummy!
I don't know why Trevor neglected to mention this, but Scott's team left another reminder of their famous expedition...
They decided to take advantage of the natural building materials and were actually attempting a world record attempt on the largest snowman ever made.
They abandoned the attempts after only completing the bottom section which you can see up the hill behind me, since they couldn't imagine how they would ever raise the head up on top.
Well, that's enough from me for now, if all goes to plan I strike out for the pole in a matter of days!'
Earlier Antarctic posts...Sprightly leaves for Antarctica
Sprightly arrives in Antarctica
My website... SteveWorthingtonArt.com - Sculpture that loves you back
My Etsy store, CritterVille
1 comment:
incredible!!
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