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It was in the year 1912 when Robert Falcon Scott died on his return trip from the south pole. He and his traveling companions succumbed to the cold and starved to death. Scott showed great courage facing his unfortunate demise, following the extreme disappointment at losing the race to the South Pole, and this increased his popularity, and branded him a national hero.

It is only now, following many years of analysis and research, that the unforgiving nature of the climate of Antarctica is understood, and it’s affects on explorers is realized. In Antarctica’s winter, temperatures can fall to 90 degrees Celcius below zero, with average wind speeds of 67 kilometers per hour. In 1912, with little understanding of the devastating hazards the continent had in store for him, Scott was ill prepared for the task he was undertaking.

Examining the letters Scott wrote to his wife as he worked as a scientists on the continent one can see the isolation he was feeling there. Even today, scientists that work in the region agree with the extreme isolation, despite the availability of vastly superior methods of communication. Scott’s memories were carried on by his wife and young son.

His body was discovered months after he expired. The letters written to his wife were among his things. His supply camp was located a mere 11 miles from where his body was found. Captain Scott’s wife was in New Zealand, waiting for her husband to come back, when news of his death reached her.

Historians can learn much by reading the Scott’s letters to his wife. Towards the beginning of his journey, he wrote about being in excellent physical health, and spoke of how he found enjoyment in having a good meal. There was not much complaining going on about the cold, seemed that the warm food made up for it.

As the expedition went on the food was running low, Scott’s mood seemed to change as well. He talked about the unwavering cold conditions. He spoke about how he and his fellow explorers survived with only one hot meal and two days of cold food, in order to travel a distance of 11 miles.

Though Scott was one of the great explorers of his age, his last expedition seemed destined to fail. Scott came in second in his quest for Antarctica to a Norwegian named Roald Amundsen. History shows that Amundsen arrived on the 21st day of December, 1911, and Scott made it on the 18th day of January, 1911.

At the time of his final trip, Scott was already a national hero in England following his adventures in the Antarctic from 1902 – 1904. As the weather changed, Scott and two companions, Lieutenant Henry Bowers and Dr. Edward Wilson, still had hopes of surviving. Two others, Petty Officer Edgar Evans and Captain Lawrence Oats, had already died.

The team stored supplies a mere twenty miles from a depot. There was scarcely any fuel or food left. Scott described in his letters, the bitter cold of the seventy degrees below zero temperatures, and how the only inadequate defense they had was their tent. He also gave his blessing for her to remarry in the event of his death.

His last missive shows no regret for the decision to take the trip which took his life. Even in his most desperate hour, he expressed that his current position was preferred to relaxing around the house. The young people of Britain have been greatly encouraged by the strength and perseverance that Scott displayed.

It was unfortunate that Captain Robert Scott’s group failed to beat Roald Amundsmen to the South Pole. He is said to have died on March 29, 1912. In 1913, Scott’s heroic expedition was immoralized through the publication of his journals entitled, “Scott’s Last Expedition.”

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