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Why did people want to reach the South Pole?

Captain Robert Scott's team with sledges.
  • The North Pole was reached for the first time in 1909.
  • In the same year, explorer Ernest Shackleton got as close as 100 miles from the South Pole.
  • Afterwards, British and Norwegian explorers set off to get even closer.
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This is Captain Robert Falcon Scott.

Robert Falcon Scott in the snow on his expedition.
  • He was a famous British explorer and Royal Navy captain.
  • In 1910 he led an expedition (a big journey) to the South Pole.
  • He tried to get there before Norwegian explorer Captain Roald Amundsen.
  • However the Norwegian explorers reached the South Pole first.
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Watch: Robert Falcon Scott's journey to the South Pole

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How did the teams reach the South Pole?

A ship sailing towards the South Pole.
  • Captain Amundsen and his team set off for the South Pole on 20th October 1910.
  • He used expert dog-teams and skiers.
  • Captain Scott started his journey on 1st November 1910.
  • Scott used sledges and ponies.
Captain Robert Scott's team sheltering in a tent.
  • Amundsen arrived at the South Pole on 15th December 1911. They then made it home safely.
  • Scott arrived at the South pole on 17th January 1912. This was 33 days after Amundsen's team.
  • Scott's team were disappointed they had been beaten.
  • On the way home, Scott and his team died from the cold.
Captain Robert Scott's team sheltering in a tent.
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Did you know?

Norwegian flag in the snow.
  • Captain Scott wrote a diary about his travels.
  • You can see some of his writing and photographs at Cambridge University's Polar Museum.
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Activity: Quiz 鈥 Race to the South Pole

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