The Mind Creative FEB 2014
We return to the ship by zodiac for a restoring hot lunch with a
Germanic theme, while we sailed on for another 11 kilometres to
Cape Evans, which overlooks McMurdo Sound.
Cape Evans is the sight which Captain Robert Falcon Scott chose
to build his large hut as the base for his expedition to the South
Pole. Scott chose the site well, with its narrow volcanic neck of
land and natural slipway for ships in front of the hut. He named
the cape after the expedition’s second-in-command, Lieutenant
Edward ‘Teddy’ Evans.
On landing, we are confined to one side of the beach for half an
hour, as only 40 visitors are allowed in the hut area at one time.
The restriction is necessary to avoid possible damage caused by
crowding. Our free time is welcome as we are able to sit down and
peacefully observe and photograph the Weddell seals, lying in the
pleasant warmth of the summer sun. We walk on lava ash and
small rocks, belched out by the impressive volcanic mountain,
Erebus. The first two ascents of Scott and Shackleton’s teams
took five days to climb Mount Erebus.
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