There were 3 motor sledges, one was lost, and none were planned to travel on the final journey: The motors and animals would be used to haul loads only across the Barrier, enabling the men to preserve their strength for the later Glacier and Plateau stages. In practice, the motor sledges proved only briefly useful, and the ponies' performance was affected by their age and poor condition.
Scott brought dogs and ponies, which were both proven on other expeditions and were both useful on this one.
That wikipedia page is a gem, reads like a novel. It sounds like with a little more luck (or more optimal choices), they would have survived. Sure there were mistakes, but nothing reads as gross negligence.
At least I was right about them clothes. They are just abysmal. Woolen caps and no wind protection.
There has been only -32°C in Helsinki and remember how scary it was. Exposed fingers become numb in seconds. I had good parka with wolf tail trimmings, but could not bicycle against the wind.
There were 3 motor sledges, one was lost, and none were planned to travel on the final journey: The motors and animals would be used to haul loads only across the Barrier, enabling the men to preserve their strength for the later Glacier and Plateau stages. In practice, the motor sledges proved only briefly useful, and the ponies' performance was affected by their age and poor condition.
Scott brought dogs and ponies, which were both proven on other expeditions and were both useful on this one.
That wikipedia page is a gem, reads like a novel. It sounds like with a little more luck (or more optimal choices), they would have survived. Sure there were mistakes, but nothing reads as gross negligence.