The Explorers Podcast Robert Falcon Scott - Part 3 - The Discovery Expedition - Farthest South
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Jan 13, 2026 Join Scott, Wilson, and Shackleton as they embark on an ambitious expedition across the Great Ice Barrier, striving for the farthest south record and the South Pole. Experience the challenges they face, from Shackleton's cough and declining dog health to Scott's temperament and scurvy threatening their survival. Discover their bittersweet achievements as they wrestle with rivalry, sacrifice, and the harsh realities of Antarctic exploration, all culminating in a race against time to return to safety.
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Departure For The Great Ice Barrier
- Scott, Wilson, and Shackleton set out across the Great Ice Barrier on November 2, 1902 with dogs and sledges to push inland. They planned to follow Lieutenant Barne's advance-party caches and aim for a further-south record or the Pole.
Why Dogs And Snow Crippled Progress
- Softening snow and overloaded, underfed dogs made sledging inefficient and slowed progress dramatically. Scott lacked dog-handling knowledge and the team missed using a ski leader to guide the dogs effectively.
Relay System That Tripled The Work
- Scott implemented a relay system when they could no longer haul all stores at once, moving half the gear forward one mile then returning for the rest. This meant the men traveled three miles for every mile of progress, greatly reducing efficiency.