Voyage of the Scotia 1902-04

People of the Expedition

In Arctic kit with the Scotia in the background

In contrast with the man on the deck in tropical gear, this member of the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition appears well prepared for the polar climate. It would seem that only the obligatory pipe is common to both outfits.

The use, in the contemporary Norwegian style, of a single stout wooden ski pole was the standard technique employed by expedition members for balance, propulsion and braking. The eschewing of a second pole was normal practice, rather than merely a convenience to enable tea mugs to be carried.

The exploration ship SY Scotia can be seen in the background.