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Lot Essay
Scott was converted to the use of skis during a visit to Nansen in Norway. Nansen arranged a meeting between Scott and Tryggve Gran (a Polar novice but an expert skier), and Scott subsequently ordered ski for the expedition from Hagen's store in Christiania (Oslo).
On his ski, Wright wrote to his father from the Barrier on the southern journey, as they struggled to manhaul: '8 pm Dec 8 -- still here practically raining now, surface awful. One sinks in never less than 18 ins and usually 30 ins. Tried pulling sledge on ski. Can manage 175lbs per man. But it will be awfully hard work & slow work unless something happens shortly. Ponies go in upto their bellies every step. ... Wish I had mocassins and snow shoes down here as I would like to convince
Capt. Scott of their superiority over ski.'
'To help my navigation ... I hammered a few copper nail into my ski near to the bow turn up to mark 15°, 30°, 45° and so on. These proved useful for maintaining a direction but not for setting a course for which one had to use a magnetic compass.' Wright's navigation aides are still nailed onto both of his skis.
On his ski, Wright wrote to his father from the Barrier on the southern journey, as they struggled to manhaul: '8 pm Dec 8 -- still here practically raining now, surface awful. One sinks in never less than 18 ins and usually 30 ins. Tried pulling sledge on ski. Can manage 175lbs per man. But it will be awfully hard work & slow work unless something happens shortly. Ponies go in upto their bellies every step. ... Wish I had mocassins and snow shoes down here as I would like to convince
Capt. Scott of their superiority over ski.'
'To help my navigation ... I hammered a few copper nail into my ski near to the bow turn up to mark 15°, 30°, 45° and so on. These proved useful for maintaining a direction but not for setting a course for which one had to use a magnetic compass.' Wright's navigation aides are still nailed onto both of his skis.