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Captain Robert F. Scott and his team faced a number of dangers on his Terra Nova Expedition (1910-1912). The cold was the first major danger, as temperatures in Antarctica can drop as low as -89°C in Winter. Simple tasks like going to the toilet carried a risk of hypothermia, and specialist sledging gear had to be developed to protect the men from the constant cold.

Food was another constant danger, as the vast majority of their food had to be brought with them. This meant that rations, especially for sledging, had to be carefully calculated. The more food they carried the longer and further they could travel, but extra food also increased the weight of the sledges, slowing them down. The solution to this problem was to 'depot' supplies of food and oil (for cooking and heating the tents), by burying them in huge cairns of ice and snow, and marking them with a flag to be collected later. These depots could be difficult to rediscover, however, as navigation was difficult so close to the South Pole, and missing a depot would mean almost certain death.

Another danger posed by food was that the calories the men's sledging rations provided represented roughly half of what was necessary to man-haul a heavy sledge across the Great Ice Barrier every day. This meant that men lost huge amounts of weight fast. This was particularly dangerous for the biggest, strongest men, whose ration was the same as the smallest, but their energy needs were much higher. This is one of the reasons why Edgar Evans and Lawrence Oates deteriorated faster than Captain Scott's other companions on the polar journey.

Illness and disease was another big danger. Scurvy was the most dreaded of these, as it worked rapidly and made sledging, and eventually walking, impossible. Scott's second-in-command, Teddy Evans, contracted scurvy on his return from laying depots to support Scott's journey to the South Pole. Eventually, his two companions, Bill Lashly and Tom Crean (neither of who knew how to navigate their way home), had to lash him to their sledge and drag him back to the hut. Scott's own team may also have been suffering from scurvy, though this is contested by historians.

Crevasses posed a constant danger to the men while sledging. When they were man-hauling, they would often fall through the thin layer of snow covering a crevasse, only to be stopped by their man-hauling harness. They would then need to be helped out by their companions. One man, Patrick Keohane, fell through crevasses to the full length of his harness eight times in twenty-five minutes! Edgar Evans, Scott's reliable companion chosen for the polar party, was concussed when he fell into a crevasse, possibly contributing to his death on the return journey.

Other, more unusual dangers also faced Scott and his men. The expedition photographer, Herbert Ponting, nearly died early in the expedition when the piece of ice he was standing on to take photographs was split in two by a pack of killer whales, and he was forced to abandon some of his equipment in the rush to get back to solid ice. One of the sailors on the expedition, Tom Crean, developed a reputation for getting 'dunked'. This meant falling through the ice into the icy sea beneath. This may have caused much amusment for the men, but it also carried a grave risk of hypothermia or drowning. Scott's diaries record that he was also worried that one of the expedition's ponies, a foul-tempered brute named Christopher, would maim his horse-handler, Lawrence Oates.

Many of these dangers were the same as those he faced on the Discovery Expedition (1901-1904), but others were different. The Discovery was the first British Antarctic expedition, and its members had almost no experience of the conditions they would face. Few members knew how to ski, and only two had any experience of dog-sledging. They also didn't know how to deal with the conditions. For example, when a sledging party was first hit by a blizzard in March 1902, rather than pitching their tents and waiting for it to pass they panicked and attempted to return to the ship. The men were split up by the terrible conditions, and one man, Able Seaman George Vince, was killed when he slipped and fell off the edge of a cliff. Many of the men aboard the Terra Nova were Discovery veterans, and their experience meant that they knew how to deal with many of the dangers faced. For example, Scott's second hut was more insulated and better designed than his first attempt, which got so cold that it could not be used as a permanent base.

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What hardships did robert Scott falcon face?

Robert Falcon Scott faced harsh weather conditions, extreme cold, limited food supplies, and challenging terrain during his expedition to the South Pole. Additionally, he and his team encountered equipment failures and logistical issues that further complicated their journey. Scott and his party ultimately perished on their return journey from the South Pole.


What are the skills of Robert Falcon Scott?

Robert Falcon Scott was an experienced polar explorer known for his leadership, navigation, and survival skills in harsh conditions. He was adept at planning and executing expeditions to remote and challenging environments, demonstrating resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Additionally, Scott was a skilled communicator, strategist, and motivator, enabling him to lead his team effectively during their expeditions.


Why is Robert falcon Scott famous?

Robert Falcon Scott is famous for leading an expedition to the South Pole in 1910-1912, known as the Terra Nova Expedition. Tragically, Scott and his companions perished on their return journey after being beaten to the pole by Roald Amundsen's Norwegian team. Scott's journals and heroic efforts in the face of extreme conditions have made him a celebrated figure in polar exploration history.


What problems did Robert falcon Scott face?

Robert Falcon Scott faced numerous problems during his expedition to the South Pole, including harsh weather conditions, limited supplies, inadequate equipment, and physical exhaustion. These challenges ultimately contributed to the failure of his mission and tragic loss of his life and his team members.


Was Robert Falcon Scott brave?

Yes, Robert Falcon Scott was considered brave for leading expeditions to the Antarctic, including the ill-fated Terra Nova Expedition to the South Pole in 1912. Despite facing harsh conditions and ultimately perishing on his return journey, his determination and courage in the face of adversity were widely admired.

Related Questions

What hardships did robert Scott falcon face?

Robert Falcon Scott faced harsh weather conditions, extreme cold, limited food supplies, and challenging terrain during his expedition to the South Pole. Additionally, he and his team encountered equipment failures and logistical issues that further complicated their journey. Scott and his party ultimately perished on their return journey from the South Pole.


Who did Robert falcon Scott inspired?

Robert Falcon Scott inspired future explorers and adventurers with his ambitious and daring polar expeditions. His determination and courage in the face of adversity have served as an inspiration for individuals seeking to push the limits of exploration and discovery.


What are the skills of Robert Falcon Scott?

Robert Falcon Scott was an experienced polar explorer known for his leadership, navigation, and survival skills in harsh conditions. He was adept at planning and executing expeditions to remote and challenging environments, demonstrating resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Additionally, Scott was a skilled communicator, strategist, and motivator, enabling him to lead his team effectively during their expeditions.


Why is Robert falcon Scott famous?

Robert Falcon Scott is famous for leading an expedition to the South Pole in 1910-1912, known as the Terra Nova Expedition. Tragically, Scott and his companions perished on their return journey after being beaten to the pole by Roald Amundsen's Norwegian team. Scott's journals and heroic efforts in the face of extreme conditions have made him a celebrated figure in polar exploration history.


What problems did Robert falcon Scott face?

Robert Falcon Scott faced numerous problems during his expedition to the South Pole, including harsh weather conditions, limited supplies, inadequate equipment, and physical exhaustion. These challenges ultimately contributed to the failure of his mission and tragic loss of his life and his team members.


Was Robert Falcon Scott brave?

Yes, Robert Falcon Scott was considered brave for leading expeditions to the Antarctic, including the ill-fated Terra Nova Expedition to the South Pole in 1912. Despite facing harsh conditions and ultimately perishing on his return journey, his determination and courage in the face of adversity were widely admired.


How was Robert Falcon Scott brave?

Robert Falcon Scott was brave for leading expeditions to explore Antarctica, enduring harsh conditions and extreme cold temperatures. Despite facing numerous challenges, he pushed on in pursuit of scientific discovery and exploration, demonstrating courage and determination in the face of adversity. His unwavering commitment to his expeditions ultimately led to advancements in our understanding of the polar regions.


Why Robert Falcon Scott was a hero?

Robert Falcon Scott is considered a hero for his leadership and determination during the Terra Nova Expedition to the South Pole. Despite facing harsh conditions and ultimately failing to be the first to reach the pole, Scott's bravery and self-sacrifice in the face of adversity have been admired by many. His journals and letters also provide valuable insight into the challenges faced by early Antarctic explorers.


Why was Robert falcon Scott a good leader?

Robert Falcon Scott was considered a good leader due to his strong sense of duty, commitment to teamwork, and ability to inspire his men. He emphasized meticulous planning and preparation for the Antarctic expedition, fostering a spirit of camaraderie among his team. Despite facing extreme challenges, Scott demonstrated resilience and determination, prioritizing the welfare of his crew. His dedication to scientific exploration and his willingness to face adversity have made him a lasting symbol of leadership in the face of hardship.


What difficulties did Robert Scott face on his journey?

Robert scott faced things like blizards being stuck in pack ice and not enough warm clothing


What problems did Robert Scott face?

Robert falcon scott faced problems like shortages of food and they did not have enough warm clothing. they were stuck 20 days in pack ice and the food they had for the sled dogs had gone bad so they became weaker By sonask16


What challenges did Amundsen face?

he was afraid that Robert Scott would've defeated him to the south pole by getting there first