Monday, September 13, 1909
The next big surprise comes from England, from Robert Falcon Scott.
The Briton who in 1901-1904 failed to reach the South Pole will now try again.
Scott plans to use horses, dogs, and motor sledges, in addition to the men pulling the sledges themselves.
Before he heads south, Scott also wants to go to Norway - to test the motor sledges, to meet Fridtjof Nansen and to get equipment.
-
Source: Jarlsberg og Larviks Amtstidende, 4.3.1910
Together with his wife, Kathleen, Scott comes to Norway in March 1910. During his stay, he is introduced to the Norwegian Tryggve Gran, whom he recruits to join the expedition.
There is indeed a lot of snow at Fefor, so we can presumably gain valuable experience there on how best to use the motor sled during the journey.
- 1/4
Scott's motor sledges sparked great curiosity and excitement in Fefor. All photo: Hans H. Lie / Maihaugen - 2/4
- 3/4
- 4/4
While in Norway, Scott also wants to meet Roald Amundsen. Perhaps his work in the south can have a comparative value with the work Amundsen intends to do in the north?
Together with Tryggve Gran, he arranges a meeting with Roald Amundsen in his home Uranienborg in Svartskog. They drive out on the narrow, bad winter roads, but when they arrive, they are surprised.
Roald Amundsen is nowhere to be seen.
Only Roald’s brother Gustav appears.
Just over an hour goes by without Roald Amundsen showing up. Eventually, Scott and Gran return to Oslo disappointed.
What could have been a historic meeting never materialized.
Where Roald Amundsen was during these hours, and whether he avoided meeting Scott on purpose, no one knows.
But on Amundsen's desk, there may be a clue.
