S1 · E1 — The Race Starts
Series following the reconstruction of British explorer Robert Falcon Scott's epic, but ill-fated, trek to the South Pole in 1911
1. The Race Starts
Almost 100 years ago, Norwegian and the English arctic explorers undertook the world's most impossible journey and competed for exploration's last great geographical prize - the quest to reach the South Pole. For the first time in television history, this race will be recreated to discover whether modern man endure this trip as well. Robert Falcon Scott was, arguably, one of the greatest British explorers. In 1911, he led a British team on the ultimate adventure and challenge of the time: to reach the South Pole. They were soon joined by Roald Amundsen and his Norwegian team, and the race to be first to get to the South Pole began. By the spring of 1912, the race was over - Scott was dead and Amundsen was the victor. Blizzard: Race To The Pole brings history to life by re-creating Scott and Amundsen's epic journey to the South Pole. Two modern day teams of explorers have been set the challenge of travelling across a route identical in length to that covered by Scott and Amundsen and using the original resources available at the time. The journey is a staggering 2,500 km long in sub-zero conditions using only the equipment, clothing and food that were available in the original teams of the early 20th century. The members of this expedition will experience first hand, in terrifying detail, the chilling truth behind the race to the South Pole. This series effectively interweaves past and present. The story of the original conquest of the South Pole is recreated through archival material, interviews with historians, explorers and medical experts, whilst following the modern-day teams to see how they are coping with the equipment and conditions. It sheds light on the accusations that surround the two men's strategy, planning and leadership, that led to the final result in 1912.
2. The Race Continues
Two modern day teams of explorers including Bruce Parry (Tribe) have been set the challenge of travelling across a route identical in length to that covered by Scott and Amundsen. In tonight's episode, the British and Norwegian teams have acclimatised in Greenland and have familiarised themselves with the early 1900s expedition equipment. However, within days of being on the ice cap, a violent blizzard strikes both teams with near fatal consequences. For the Brits, the storm is an unwelcome delay and alarm bells are starting to sound in the tent. Their progress has been dire, largely because they have been unable to control their dogs. If they don't get a grip, soon they will fail to make it to their first depot of food.
3. Icecold Challenges
In tonight's episode, both teams face their toughest challenge yet. As part of their route, both teams must move through the Mount Forel range, navigating their way through two crevasse-ridden glaciers. For Bruce Parry and his team, it is not only an immense physical challenge, but with the team's dogs still misbehaving it is also incredibly dangerous. If and when they make it through the glaciers, both teams then have to brave it through the plummeting temperatures of the ice cap.
4. Faster Than Amundsen?
In tonight's episode, the British and Norwegian teams are struggling on in their bid to recreate the legendary Scott and great Amundsen's mammoth expedition of 1911/1912. And as if this wasn't enough, Gjeldnes's contemporary Norwegian team have set their own challenge of reaching the destination faster than Amundsen. For Bruce Parry and the British team things are about to get really tough. Two men have been injured and flown out, and now the team has the gruelling prospect of hauling two 500kg sledges with six men instead of eight. Bruce has a tough decision to make to - the whole team cannot go to the pole, so who will he pick and who is he going to send back?
5. Crisis on the Ice
In tonight's episode, Bruce Parry settles on a very risky strategy which very nearly backfires. Much as Scott did nearly a century before, the team starts to experience atrocious snow conditions. The lack of food is taking its toll and all the members of the team have lost more than 15 per cent of their body weight. Being weaker and more vulnerable to the cold, there is a question mark over whether they will make it to the pole at all. The Norwegians, on the other hand, look set to smash Amundsen's time to the Pole and back.
6. Dramatic Ending
The final episode. What effects has this had on the people involved?
Simon MacCorkindale
Narrator
Matt Wilkinson
Scott
Jostein Pedersen
Amundsen
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