Grytviken: a toast on the grave of Shackleton (II)
On October 1915, with the first sunny days, a crack opened up in front of Endurance giving the possibility that they could move. We only made for a few hundred meters, going to be trapped. Before the end of that month, the boat creaked under the pressure exerted by the ice on the hull. The browser decided they should abandon ship. Once ashore, the eyes of these brave men saw their home forever sinking in the depths of the icy waters.
Far from collapsing and sinking, Shackleton seeing the boat and provisions were gone said: "Now, we will return home». They took the necessary and set off walking towards Snow Hill. Among other things, tore a few pages from the Bible that the Queen Alexandra had given the ship. It was Psalm 23.
"What guts came the ice?
And the white frost of heaven, Who fathered?
The waters are hidden, as a stone
and the face of the deep is frozen "
The remaining animals were slaughtered or used as food, extremely hard for the whole group, but required. Advancing suffered for three days, dragged the heavy boats seven meters in length until Shackleton decided to set up another camp and wait for the ice to fracture path to follow. Being in the new camp, continued to move northwestward toward the South Orkney, due to movement of the ice. In late January 1916 a storm pushed them across the Antarctic Circle. Were 240 km of the island Cerro Nevado. It was not until April when they could first sail boats.
He said it was a good drinker and what better way to pay tribute to their favorite drink offering
The landscape is rugged, as the whole island. The mountains are covered by snow. The lower areas are adorned with moss and low shrubs typical of the area. Penguins, and seals elephants roam their anchas.Antes entering the cemetery, I got a paper cup with whiskey. The custom is that you take a sip and pour the rest over the grave of Shackleton. He said it was a good drinker and what better way to pay tribute to their favorite drink offering.
The navigation was not easy. The non-motorized boats sailing through icebergs, with big waves, extreme cold and high winds trying to reach land. After more than 16 months without touching the ground, reached Elephant Island. They leave this island groups, Shackleton then understood that his only way out was to reach the Isla de San Pedro, where was aware of the existence of whaling stations.
The landscape is rugged, as the whole island. The mountains are covered by snow and the lower areas, adorned with moss and bushes
Formed groups, a new challenge lay before them. The island of San Pedro was about 1,300 km. They had to cover that distance in a boat, cross an ocean in winter, Wind face, snow and waves up 15 m height… If this new expedition, composed of six people, failed, the 21 remaining crew of the Endurance would head into spring Deception Island.
Sixteen days later, after passing woes, storms, cold and despair reached the bahía King Haakon. They were on the Island San Pedro. Irregular and crossed the icy terrain of the island to reach the whaling station finally Stromness. The ordeal was about to end. As more land three days later, went to Elephant Island and King Haakon Bay to rescue the rest of the crew of the Endurance disappeared.
Here ended the greatest display of honor, heroism and courage to Antarctica as a stage
Here ended the greatest display of honor, heroism and courage to Antarctica as a stage, that had claimed the lives of all its characters but for Shackleton.
The tomb has a stone monolith carved a nine-pointed star on its top. Around the grave there are a few small curbs 20 cm high. Just under Ernest Henry Shackleton, puts Explorer. Clearly, the election of the widow was successful. His remains are part of a land that nearly cost him his life, an unknown land for the time at which, maybe that's why, was drawn inevitably. It's hard to explain how you feel when you're in front of the grave of someone I consider the greatest explorer of the twentieth century. A lump in my throat made me shortly whiskey will cost ingested into the stomach.
To volver a Ushuaia the sea gave us a small respite, waves did not exceed six meters high, for these one trifle wild seas.
The appointment of the expedition photographer and best travel writer poles, Frank Hurley, could not better describe Shackleton:
"To give me the scientific direction to Scott, for a quick and effective, dadme the Amundsen. But when you are in a desperate situation, when it seems that there is no output, Get down on your knees and pray for Shackleton to come."
Comments (6)
Daniel Landa
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Shackleton's odyssey is perhaps the greatest feat of all time. Thanks, Raul, to recover today this story.
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Lydia
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I loved the story. Y la phrase de Frank Hurley, is very good.
Course, was an incredible feat.
And I like the way the shot of whiskey in the cemetery.
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Iria Coast
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Have you read The Endurance? Fantastic book and portrayed of what really happened 🙂
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Raul Garcia
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No that Daniel.
The book you mention, Would, Great, also comes with images of the time, advisable 100%.
Greetings!
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Mary
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I recently read the book comentaís, that of Trapped in the Ice, by Caroline Alexander, and yet I have goose bumps. Whiskey know the ritual at the grave of Shackleton, suggestive detail to the summary of the once legendary expedition.
In the same work also noting what happened to each of the sailors, scientists and other crew of the Endurance. Many returned to these waters, even to die. What have these South seas and lands trapping, wonder and crazy!
Thanks Raul!
Pdt: Here you have a new follower of your trips to the past 😉
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Gonzalo Love
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Hello, I am studying for a Masters in Publishing and would be interested to contact Raul Garcia to ask project collaboration Prom.
Thank you very much
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