• `Those who need to ask, will never understand the answer, while others who feel the answer will never need to ask'. - Wally Herbert, the first man to reach the North Pole unsupported, when asked the question `Why?'
• Polar exploration was incredibly difficult when Scott, Shackleton and Amundsen made their attempts to reach the South Pole, because they did not have the equipment or the experience that explorers have today.
• Amundsen was the first person to reach the South Pole in December 1911.
• Because expeditions to the Poles are expensive, most explorers find sponsors to pay for the expedition costs in return for publicity. Some of the companies that sponsored Scott in Antarctica still exist today. Cadbury's provided Scott with nearly 2 tons of cocoa powder for his expedition, while Bird and Son donated 8 cwt of custard powder.
• The Royal Navy Ice Patrol Ship, HMS Endurance is named after Ernest Shackleton's ship Endurance that was crushed by ice in 1915.
• The Antarctic Treaty covers all the ice shelves and land south of latitude 60º. Today, 44 countries have signed up to it and have agreed to keep Antarctica as a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science.
• If you ever find yourself on an expedition to Antarctica, remember to keep your toothpaste or sun cream in your sleeping bag with you, while you sleep. If you don't, you won't be able to use them in the morning - as they will be frozen in the tube!

Next >>