Cape Evans

Cape Evans is the site Scott's hut from his 1910-1912 expedition and was just around the corner from the dive hut. Here is a picture of the historic hut. It was fairly cold and very windy day, so face protection is important. I think that I look like Cousin It with the face mask on.



The hut is in the process of being conserved and restored. This hut was also used by Shackleton's ship party when they were stranded after the Aurora blew away. Sadly, the men in Shackleton's group that survived their disastrous expedition, returned home to Europe during World War I. Many of them died in the trenches.

Here's Paul in the vestibule to the hut.



Some interior shots of the Cape Evans hut. The snow blocked all the windows and we needed to view the hut using the dive flashlights.



The hut is quite large with a massive table in the center.



Chair at the table - obviously homemade, but rather nice.



The race for the South Pole was the moon race of its day. Scott died on the return from the Pole, having been bested by Amundsen of Norway.

Scott's expedition also supported a full range of scientific experiments. Below is a shot of the laboratory corner. That reminds me of a famous quote.

"For scientific leadership, give me Scott;
for swift and efficient travel, Amundsen;
but when you are in a hopeless situation,
when there seems to be no way out,
get on your knees and pray for Shackleton."

attributed to Sir Raymond Priestley

And, of course, they collected penguin eggs! I think that they might be Adelie eggs since they look a bit small for emperor eggs.



Here's a Primus, which is a small, portable stove. We still use something quite like it even today.



A couple of shots of the kitchen. The supplies are in remarkable shape, considering they are about 100 years old.



This is Scott's table with the emperor carcass and a copy of the Illustrated London News.



Scott's bunk.



The Scott expedition also had a number of pony's with it and we went into the stable, which is on the side of the hut. Below is a wall of tools that were left behind.




Each of the pony's had their name stenciled in front of their stall.



This was a snowshoe for a pony. I don't think that they worked very well since Scott abandoned the idea of using ponies to pull the sleds. In the end, the expedition man-hauled everything - unlike Amundsen, who used sled dogs.



And, last, but not least, a photo of Cass, Jessica and me in front of the Pisten Bully, parked near the Cape Evans hut.