What challenges do scientists and explorers ANTARCTICA What challenges do scientists and explorers have in Antarctica?

four great people Robert Falcon Scott explored Antarctica in 1901, his crew had little experience and a lack of equipment. They needed to be rescued by a relief ship

Sir Ernest Shackleton Sir Ernest Shackleton went to Antarctica in 1901, the same year as Robert Falcon Scott, but he was sent home due to bad health. Disaster struck when his ship got stuck in the ice.

Roald Amundsen Roald Amundsen used his pack of dogs instead of scots fragile Norwegian ponies. In 1911, he and his men tramped across hundreds of miles of unexplored mountains. They named the area ‘land of the pole’ . He left a note to Scott saying : Dear Captain Scott, As you probably are the first to reach this area after us, I will ask you kindly to forward this letter to King Haakon VII. If you can use any of the equipment left in the tent do not hesitate to do so. The sledge outside may be of use to you. With kind regards I wish you a safe return. Yours truly, Roald Amundsen

Sir Edmund Hillary As you know, he was the first man to climb Mt. Everest. Sir Edmund Hillary also made lots of journeys to Antarctica. He was the third man to reach Antarctica. His achievements were so special his picture is on the New Zealand $5 note

Challenges… Explorers in Antarctica have to face many challenges like extreme cold, lack of water, severe wind storms and treacherous crevasses that are very dangerous.

Other challenges early explorers had were boredom, loneliness and no messages from home. Even today’s explorers are often bored and lonely.

Weather Challenges Katabatic winds form when cold air comes down the mountains towards the flat land ocean areas. Winds at 322 km an hour, the highest winds ever recorded. The snow is always being blown around by the high winds.

Threats to Antarctic explorers were hypothermia… that means low body temperature. If this is not checked it can lead to death!

Traveling in the Antarctic means that humans have to eat high energy food and wear specially insulated clothing. Everyone has basic needs which must be met if they are to survive such as shelter, clothing, food, and water.

Sir Edmund Hillary at the south pole