6 ms·

Into the Unknown: Mawson's Antarctic Trek (2013)

22 points by mokash 6y ago

hprotagonist 6y ago
You can read Mawson's own account, in his own words, here: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/6137/6137-h/6137-h.htm https://www.gutenberg.org/files/6137/6137-h/6137-h.htm "The Benzine Hut" is a phrase that haunts me sometimes.
- andrewwharton 6y ago
  Also available from http://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/history/exploration-and-expeditions/australasian-antarctic-expedition/mawsons-book http://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/history/explor... Can higly recommend. It seems like there was a completely different view as to what were "acceptable risks" back in those days.
grecy 6y ago
If you enjoy tales of Antarctic (mis)adventure, and adventure stories in general, I highly, highly recommend "The World Journey in the World" by Apsley Cheery-Garrared [1], the tale of Scott's ill-fated 1910-1913 attempt to be the first to reach the South pole by one of the men with him. It is easily the most unbelievable account of adventure ever written, I genuinely have never read anything I would consider even a distant 5th place. I honestly don't think humans will come close to anything like it until we start exploring other worlds. [1] https://www.amazon.com/Worst-Journey-World-Apsley-Cherry-Garrard/dp/1619491877/?tag=dastrbl-20 https://www.amazon.com/Worst-Journey-World-Apsley-Cherry-Gar...
- jfk13 6y ago
  Don't overlook "Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage" (Alfred Lansing). https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/139069.Endurance https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/139069.Endurance
  - rtkaratekid 6y ago
    Or “Alone on the Ice” which takes many accounts of Mawson’s trip. These adventures are the most incredible stories I’ve ever read and, with some expedition experience myself, I sometimes just shudder thinking about how difficult it must’ve been.
    - arethuza 6y ago
      If you like that kind of thing I can recommend "Barrow's Boys: The Original Extreme Adventurers: A Stirring Story of Daring Fortitude and Outright Lunacy" by Fergus Fleming - it largely covers 19th century expeditions UK to try and find the Northwest Passage and to rescue previous expeditions. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/878082.Barrow_s_Boys https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/878082.Barrow_s_Boys
- josh_fyi 6y ago
  Typo: "Worst Journey..."
ehnto 6y ago
We have an excellent exhibit of Mawson's expedition at our city's museum. They have a replica of the cabin, all laid out with period correct equipment and stocks they would have had, along side some great video and audio exhibit pieces. They have the sled and dogs, and a piece of wall that's chilled and iced over so you can feel the intensity of the cold they would have endured. It's all very immersive.
EdwardDiego 6y ago
Certainly sounds (from Mawson's debilitations) like they had vitamin A poisoning

22 points by mokash 6y ago

You can read Mawson's own account, in his own words, here: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/6137/6137-h/6137-h.htm https://www.gutenberg.org/files/6137/6137-h/6137-h.htm "The Benzine Hut" is a phrase that haunts me sometimes.

andrewwharton 6y ago
Also available from http://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/history/exploration-and-expeditions/australasian-antarctic-expedition/mawsons-book http://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/history/explor... Can higly recommend. It seems like there was a completely different view as to what were "acceptable risks" back in those days.

grecy 6y ago

If you enjoy tales of Antarctic (mis)adventure, and adventure stories in general, I highly, highly recommend "The World Journey in the World" by Apsley Cheery-Garrared [1], the tale of Scott's ill-fated 1910-1913 attempt to be the first to reach the South pole by one of the men with him. It is easily the most unbelievable account of adventure ever written, I genuinely have never read anything I would consider even a distant 5th place. I honestly don't think humans will come close to anything like it until we start exploring other worlds. [1] https://www.amazon.com/Worst-Journey-World-Apsley-Cherry-Garrard/dp/1619491877/?tag=dastrbl-20 https://www.amazon.com/Worst-Journey-World-Apsley-Cherry-Gar...

jfk13 6y ago
Don't overlook "Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage" (Alfred Lansing). https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/139069.Endurance https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/139069.Endurance
- rtkaratekid 6y ago
  Or “Alone on the Ice” which takes many accounts of Mawson’s trip. These adventures are the most incredible stories I’ve ever read and, with some expedition experience myself, I sometimes just shudder thinking about how difficult it must’ve been.
  - arethuza 6y ago
    If you like that kind of thing I can recommend "Barrow's Boys: The Original Extreme Adventurers: A Stirring Story of Daring Fortitude and Outright Lunacy" by Fergus Fleming - it largely covers 19th century expeditions UK to try and find the Northwest Passage and to rescue previous expeditions. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/878082.Barrow_s_Boys https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/878082.Barrow_s_Boys
josh_fyi 6y ago
Typo: "Worst Journey..."

ehnto 6y ago

We have an excellent exhibit of Mawson's expedition at our city's museum. They have a replica of the cabin, all laid out with period correct equipment and stocks they would have had, along side some great video and audio exhibit pieces. They have the sled and dogs, and a piece of wall that's chilled and iced over so you can feel the intensity of the cold they would have endured. It's all very immersive.

EdwardDiego 6y ago

Certainly sounds (from Mawson's debilitations) like they had vitamin A poisoning