Robert Falcon Scott • 23 januari 1912

• • Robert Falcon Scott (1868–1912) was een Brits marineofficier en ontdekkingsreiziger, die beroemd is geworden als leider van twee expedities naar Antarctica. Tijdens zijn tweede expeditie kwam hij samen met zijn vier metgezellen om het leven. Het onderstaande fragment komt uit zijn expeditiedagboek, dat na zijn dood werd teruggevonden. Hij en zijn mannen zijn hier op de terugweg nadat ze op 17 januari de Zuidpool hebben bereikt. De dag ervoor waren ze erachter gekomen dat Amundsen hen een maand was voorgeweest: "The worst has happened, or nearly the worst. (...) The Norwegians have forestalled us and are first at the Pole. It is a terrible disappointment (...)". 'The worst' gebeurde ruim twee maanden later, toen Scott vast kwam te zitten in een sneeuwstorm en overleed, op 29 maart).

Tuesday, January 23.--Lowest Minimum last night -30 deg., Temp, at start -28 deg.. Lunch height 10,100. Temp, with wind 6 to 7, -19 deg.. Little wind and heavy marching at start. Then wind increased and we did 8.7 miles by lunch, when it was practically blowing a blizzard. The old tracks show so remarkably well that we can follow them without much difficulty--a great piece of luck.

In the afternoon we had to reorganise. Could carry a whole sail. Bowers hung on to the sledge, Evans and Oates had to lengthen out. We came along at a great rate and should have got within an easy march of our depot had not Wilson suddenly discovered that Evans' nose was frostbitten--it was white and hard. We thought it best to camp at 6.45. Got the tent up with some difficulty, and now pretty cosy after good hoosh.

There is no doubt Evans is a good deal run down--his fingers are badly blistered and his nose is rather seriously congested with frequent frost bites. He is very much annoyed with himself, which is not a good sign. I think Wilson, Bowers and I are as fit as possible under the circumstances. Oates gets cold feet. One way and another, I shall be glad to get off the summit! We are only about 13 miles from our 'Degree and half' Depot and should get there to-morrow. The weather seems to be breaking up. Pray God we have something of a track to follow to the Three Degree Depot--once we pick that up we ought to be right.