Edgar Evans. Evans was a Welshman and a Petty Officer who had served with Scott during his naval career and had followed Scott south on his first expedition aboard the Discovery. Evans was a powerful man and had an important role preparing and maintaining the equipment. He was not an officer and was keen to be in the party that went for the pole as he knew that success would provide him and his family with a better standard of living. As the expedition continues he will play a vital role.
Scotts Journal November 22nd 1911. Things are much the same as Scott and the men plough on. He reports that the horses are thinner and weaker but the crocks are still going on. Jehu in now known as ‘the barrier wonder’ after his efforts have surprised many. The team are aware that they are close to the point at which Shackleton shot his first horse and they are keen to get past that point before the shoot any of theirs. Nobby is doing well and they put more weight on his back. The dogs continue to perform very well and caught up with Scott with some ease. The weather seems to be settled and pleasant and during the day the resting horses recover from the ordeal of the night. While it is better to rest in the warmth and march in the cold they do suffer in another way. During the night the surface is more difficult to travel across and it seems to be trade off Scott is contemplating, easier travel or better rest. The marches are achieve a regular pace but they are currently in an area that has false ‘crusts’ on top of the snow. This means that both horses and men sink into the snow a little further and it makes for harder work. If the good weather continues things should improve further. Scott notes that even so far south they can see land to the west.
Commentary. Scott has stopped commenting on the men. His journal is focused on the horses and the weather, will they get through ? The group have targets in mind with the furthest south from the Discovery and from Shackleton’s expedition but an immediate goal is to take the horses past the point at which Shackleton killed his first horse. They are measuring their performance against the best others have achieved, setting both short & long term goals and looking at the risks to success.
hutpoint 