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Started By
Message
Over 100 years ago: The deadliest race.
Posted on 4/18/25 at 8:38 am
Posted on 4/18/25 at 8:38 am
The race to the South Pole. It is largely forgotten today but over a century ago it stirred the imagination and darkened the age of exploration.
Robert Falcon Scott and Roald Amundsen. England and Norway. The South Pole was considered to be the last unconquered frontier and for good reason.
They started their race around the same time but it was almost a mismatch.
Roald was the Nick Saban of explorers. He was all about process, using research and analytics. His crew trained. He hired seasoned professionals for each speciality needed. He studied previous expeditions and took their lessons to heart. He studied the nutrition and ensured they had the right food. Crucially, he used dogs for his expedition. Beautiful huskies. It helped the sole purpose of Roald's expedition was to reach the South Pole.
Scott was the typical British officer and bought completely into the myth of the British officer, believing that gallantry and the superiority of the officer class would carry the day. He did not prepare as his competition did but chose a team that was well, not the most experienced at this sort of thing. The nutrition was lacking. For example, they didn't do anything to prevent scurvy. Unlike Amundsen, the expedition was not focused on reaching the South Pole but was a scientific expedition as well. Oh yes, they brought biologists to study and collect specimens from Antartica. The result was the missions resources were not devoted to the task of reaching the South Pole but split with scientific study.
Did I mention Scott sued ponies and experimental motorized sleds instead of dogs? The sleds failed of course and the ponies died. Thus the men had to drag all their provisions to the South Pole and back.
Amundsen reaches it first. One can only imagine the heartbreak Scott's team felt when they got there and saw the Norwegian flag. He and the lads gave it a British go of it at returning to base but they died one by one in the cold. Scott and another man died 11 miles short of a food depot, frozen to death.
Of course, the British made its failure a hero when in reality, he was barely above that of a bumbling idiot who made mistake after mistake until they got him killed.
A shame in the age of Netflix and Apple TV we don't get a show about this. It is compelling drama.
Robert Falcon Scott and Roald Amundsen. England and Norway. The South Pole was considered to be the last unconquered frontier and for good reason.
They started their race around the same time but it was almost a mismatch.
Roald was the Nick Saban of explorers. He was all about process, using research and analytics. His crew trained. He hired seasoned professionals for each speciality needed. He studied previous expeditions and took their lessons to heart. He studied the nutrition and ensured they had the right food. Crucially, he used dogs for his expedition. Beautiful huskies. It helped the sole purpose of Roald's expedition was to reach the South Pole.
Scott was the typical British officer and bought completely into the myth of the British officer, believing that gallantry and the superiority of the officer class would carry the day. He did not prepare as his competition did but chose a team that was well, not the most experienced at this sort of thing. The nutrition was lacking. For example, they didn't do anything to prevent scurvy. Unlike Amundsen, the expedition was not focused on reaching the South Pole but was a scientific expedition as well. Oh yes, they brought biologists to study and collect specimens from Antartica. The result was the missions resources were not devoted to the task of reaching the South Pole but split with scientific study.
Did I mention Scott sued ponies and experimental motorized sleds instead of dogs? The sleds failed of course and the ponies died. Thus the men had to drag all their provisions to the South Pole and back.
Amundsen reaches it first. One can only imagine the heartbreak Scott's team felt when they got there and saw the Norwegian flag. He and the lads gave it a British go of it at returning to base but they died one by one in the cold. Scott and another man died 11 miles short of a food depot, frozen to death.
Of course, the British made its failure a hero when in reality, he was barely above that of a bumbling idiot who made mistake after mistake until they got him killed.
A shame in the age of Netflix and Apple TV we don't get a show about this. It is compelling drama.
This post was edited on 4/18/25 at 8:52 am
11
Posted on 4/18/25 at 8:42 am to prplhze2000
Deceptive title.
Posted on 4/18/25 at 8:46 am to prplhze2000
Related - and as a reminder - Shackleton brought every swinging Johnson back.
#Leadershipmatters
#Leadershipmatters
Posted on 4/18/25 at 8:47 am to Ace Midnight
Yup. Amundsen studied the hell out of his expedition.
Posted on 4/18/25 at 9:06 am to Ace Midnight
quote:
Related - and as a reminder - Shackleton brought every swinging Johnson back.
#Leadershipmatters
He was a true bad arse.
Posted on 4/18/25 at 9:12 am to prplhze2000
quote:
the British made its failure a hero
He died doing what he loved.
Posted on 4/18/25 at 9:16 am to Porter Osborne Jr
In the annals of mankind, Shackleton is one of the more courageous and resilient figures that few remember. I'd love to see a modern TV series made of his expedition. His entire party having survived is stunning.
Posted on 4/18/25 at 9:17 am to prplhze2000
A deadly race that’s a good read is the 1955 Le Mans crash that killed 83 spectators and injured at least another 120.
Mercedes withdrew from racing for 30 years.
Mercedes withdrew from racing for 30 years.
Posted on 4/18/25 at 9:20 am to TheHarahanian
My first thought was the Isle of Man TT.
Posted on 4/18/25 at 12:08 pm to prplhze2000
quote:British TV did a great job with this story back in 1985 (appeared on PBS in the states):
A shame in the age of Netflix and Apple TV we don't get a show about this. It is compelling drama.
The Last Place On Earth
whole series is on YouTube and other streaming services, highly recommended
Posted on 4/18/25 at 6:11 pm to FearlessFreep
Yeah. Saw it was. Worthy of a more modern version
Posted on 4/18/25 at 6:16 pm to Ace Midnight
quote:id imagine there was more shriveling than swinging
every swinging Johnson back.
Posted on 4/18/25 at 6:20 pm to prplhze2000
quote:
The deadliest race.
Oh I know this one
Posted on 4/18/25 at 6:23 pm to TechBullDawg
quote:
In the annals of mankind, Shackleton is one of the more courageous and resilient figures that few remember. I'd love to see a modern TV series made of his expedition. His entire party having survived is stunning.
Was going to post the same thought. 10 episodes or so would be absolutely must watch TV for intelligent people.
This post was edited on 4/18/25 at 6:24 pm
Posted on 4/18/25 at 6:57 pm to prplhze2000
It makes for a compelling story, doesn't it? The rivalries, gallantry, hardships, logistic strategies.
The account says Scott planned on using ponies and experimental motorized sleds instead of dogs? Whichever method of transportation is insane. Antarctica is nothing like the Arctic regions. From the coast to the supposed South Pole is said to be @ 1500 miles from the coast -- with no viable landmarks, respite or break in unspeakable cold and wind in Unknown No Man's Land.
The Real Plot Twist:
The South Pole remains "unconquered" till this very day. This entire "rivalry" of a race to the South Pole is pure myth. No one has ever reached the "South Pole" -- especially not then. Not even till this day. Same also as the "rivalries" of those who supposedly raced to the "North Pole." "History" will claim both happened. At about the same time as well.
Antarctica is said to be over 5,000,000 square miles, though still no documentation of an actual land survey has ever existed. Also notice the map claims that there's "Magnetic South Pole" as well that lies in the sea off the coast)
Even if we accept the accounts on face value of fabulously wealthy millionaires and their corporate sponsors going at it for sport, the route to a pinpointed place (THE "South Pole" ) would be logistically, mentally and physically impossible and arduous.
(My apologies for being a cynical killjoy. I still enjoyed the premise. )
The account says Scott planned on using ponies and experimental motorized sleds instead of dogs? Whichever method of transportation is insane. Antarctica is nothing like the Arctic regions. From the coast to the supposed South Pole is said to be @ 1500 miles from the coast -- with no viable landmarks, respite or break in unspeakable cold and wind in Unknown No Man's Land.
The Real Plot Twist:
The South Pole remains "unconquered" till this very day. This entire "rivalry" of a race to the South Pole is pure myth. No one has ever reached the "South Pole" -- especially not then. Not even till this day. Same also as the "rivalries" of those who supposedly raced to the "North Pole." "History" will claim both happened. At about the same time as well.
Antarctica is said to be over 5,000,000 square miles, though still no documentation of an actual land survey has ever existed. Also notice the map claims that there's "Magnetic South Pole" as well that lies in the sea off the coast)
Even if we accept the accounts on face value of fabulously wealthy millionaires and their corporate sponsors going at it for sport, the route to a pinpointed place (THE "South Pole" ) would be logistically, mentally and physically impossible and arduous.
(My apologies for being a cynical killjoy. I still enjoyed the premise. )
Posted on 4/18/25 at 7:36 pm to EphesianArmor
If we accept?
There were plenty of witnesses, logs, journals. There are actual frozen bodies.
There were plenty of witnesses, logs, journals. There are actual frozen bodies.
Posted on 4/18/25 at 7:53 pm to prplhze2000
quote:
The deadliest race.
You've never seen the Isle of Man TT
Posted on 4/18/25 at 9:02 pm to fr33manator
quote:
The Mongols would like a word
What race are they
Posted on 4/18/25 at 9:02 pm to prplhze2000
Any good movies in this?
Posted on 4/19/25 at 11:01 am to prplhze2000
quote:
If we accept?
There were plenty of witnesses, logs, journals. There are actual frozen bodies.
Yes, I know and read the same bases of "proof" these glorious deeds were accomplished. But it's really still just a matter of faith to believe any of it since the scene of the supposed deeds were so isolated AND restricted to the public.
Some wealthy financiers and industrialists say, "WE DID IT!!" And all the "evidence" was conveniently provided for such accomplishments -- including the provided diaries, journals and frozen bodies of wealthy explorers with connections by the very same people who owned all the major newspapers of the day. Of course.
I realize this is enough "evidence" of "mission accomplished", but what independent onsite auditors were going to verify and confirm? IS it possible they fudged any or all of it? And no, I don't accept these accounts presented as "100% fact" at all.
Same exact script was financed and said of the North Pole explorers at almost the same precise time (hoaxes were exposed.) Think the same "proof" from "Normies" would be accepted by this exclusive Boy's Clue Establishment?
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