The Victorian Rakes History Blog

Review of Episode 2: The Nimrod Expedition 1907-1909

The second episode of this Channel 5 series mirrors the first in its format. Presenters Ben Fogle and Dwayne Fields emulate an Edwardian explorer, utilizing period replica equipment.

This installment highlights Ernest Shackleton’s Nimrod Expedition as he endeavored to reach the South Pole with a team of 14 men and 10 ponies. It specifically details their efforts to traverse the Transantarctic Mountain Range through the Beardmore Glacier to arrive at the Polar Plateau.

Fogle and Fields chose not to ascend the same glacier as Shackleton and his crew; however, unlike episode 1, this portion of the expedition appeared to be filled with genuine perils. Specifically, the crevasses prevalent in the mountain ranges looked truly terrifying. The weather was extremely unpredictable, with intense winds, and by the time Fields and Fogle arrived at the Polar Plateau, the temperature had plummeted to -40°C.

When our presenters were tent-bound because of exceptionally strong winds, we heard Dwayne Fields explain what drove him to become an explorer. The catalyst was getting involved in a fight when he was growing up. One of the protagonists tried to shoot Fields, but his gun misfired and the result of this experience made Fields decide to change his life.

Ultimately, Shackleton failed to reach the South Pole. Despite averaging about 20km per day while hauling heavy sleds, they fell short by 156km. Shackleton and his crew were left exhausted, battling frostbite and starvation. Fields had mentioned earlier in the episode that he believed he needed 7000 calories a day to survive, yet the food they had was far from sufficient.

Despite initial progress, the grueling journey up the 160km Beardmore Glacier exacted a heavy toll on the team, leading Shackleton to the grim realization that reaching the South Pole was out of reach. As Fogle notes, Shackleton’s “selfless act of leadership” was to command his men to retreat to base, valuing their lives over his ambition. This decision cemented Shackleton’s lasting legacy and status as a national hero, putting the safety of his men before personal acclaim.