Matt & I spent this evening at the Royal Geographical Society where Ben Fogle recounted his tales of a recent trip to the Antarctic where he was making a documentary about Captain Scott.
The evening, which was run by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, included clips from the forthcoming documentary, as Ben, who clearly enjoyed the experience spoke of Scott's (for some, somewhat tarnished) legacy and the conservation work that is ongoing to preserve the two "huts" used by both Scott & Shackleton.
Ben told how the visit was was completely overwhelming, and that having been introduced to Scott's adventures via a Ladybird book as a child he said how "...To feel the presence of Captain Scott was a privilege. It was an amazing journey, [he] never thought [he'd] make”.
As to why both Scott and Shackleton failed in their separate challenges will never be fully understood, but Ben stated that like many great explorers they had been prepared to take risks, risks which in Scott's case resulted in the death of both him, Oates and the rest of the team. Whether the risks taken could have been avoided or whether the right decisions were taken, is again a matter of conjecture, but a poem that Ben read out is relevant in so many situations, even those which are far less challenging that Scott's.
The poem, by an unknown author is simply called 'Risk':
To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach for another is to risk involvement.
To expose your ideas, your dreams,
before a crowd is to risk their loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To believe is to risk despair.
To try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken, because the
greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
The people who risk nothing, do nothing,
have nothing, are nothing.
They may avoid suffering and sorrow,
but they cannot learn, feel, change,
grow, love, live.
Chained by their attitudes they are slaves;
they have forfeited their freedom.
Only a person who risks is free.
A very interesting and thought provoking evening, although regrettably we were unable to get to speak to Ben to get any further tips on endurance training!
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