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TO THE POLE!

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head of Ross MacPhee

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Two Plans for the Pole
Scrapbook page with stats for Amundsen's team and Scott's Team and map showing location of the 2 base camps and the routes to South Pole

Race Against Time and Weather

The journey to the Pole was possible only during the summer, when the Sun never sets and temperatures are warmer. But the explorers knew they still had to move fast. They needed to make it to the Pole and back before winter set in. 

shape of Antarctica with the South Pole Marked and the Nowregian Base camp and route to the South Pole marked with Norwegian Flag next to it

Amundsen's Polar Team

Amundsen’s plan was simple: get to the Pole and back as fast as they could. Dogs pulled the sleds and the men skied alongside—or even rode. His small team set off with the same five men that would reach the Pole. 

Number of Men: 5  
Sleds: 4  
Dogs: 52  
Ponies: 0  
Motor Sled: 0  
Distance to Pole & Back: About 2,670 km (1,660 mi)  
Projected Trip Length: 109 days  
Departure Date: October 19, 1911 

shape of Antarctica with the South Pole Marked and the British Base camp and route to the South Pole marked with British Flag next to it

Scott's Polar Team

Scott’s plan was complex. He used three kinds of transportation. And he started out with a large group of 16 men. One by one, smaller “support parties” would turn back to base leaving only a core group of five that would head to the Pole. 

Number of Men: 16 total; 5 to the Pole  
Sleds: 12  
Dogs: 22  
Ponies: 10  
Motor Sleds: 2  
Distance to Pole & Back: About 2,900 km (1,800mi)  
Projected Trip length: 144 days  
Departure Date: November 1, 1911 

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All photos: courtesy of AMNH