August 23, 2011

Wednesday, 23 August 1911

Amundsen

"The Return of the Sun in the Antarctic" by George Marston. The Norwegians would have known Marston's work, as a number of his paintings were included in Shackleton's book The Heart of the Antarctic (1909), part of the polar library at Framheim. [1]

The sun returned to Framheim.

Still beset by cold temperatures, Amundsen delayed the start. Since dogs pant through their mouths, they would not be able to stand the cold air very long.

"Faithful are they, faithful unto death. It cuts me to the quick when I think that these, our faithful companions, will probably receive death as their reward for faithful service.... Feelings will, luckily, not be so delicate when we have done so much of our journey that this can come into question." [1]


Notes:

[1] Roald Amundsen, diary, 24 August, 1911, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.463-464.

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