Antarctic Expedition Can Teach You About What’s Valuable

[wayno]

What an Antarctic Expedition Can Teach You About What’s Truly Valuable

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/10/0 ... y-valuable

[Giddy_up]

Great article wayno, one of my heroes........ not for what he did, but for how he lead his men.

[GPSGuided]

Very interesting take.

[wayno]

like most explorers back then, and today, you had to do it all. you not only needed the skill to explore, navigate and lead but you had to go out and socialise and market yourself to raise the significant amount of money for the expeditions. they were often on the edge of bankruptcy then you had to wow people with your tours after the expedition to raise more money, usually to pay off debts incurred during the expedition...
you couldnt fly in, using existing air services like antarctic explorers today use. you needed to obtain a large ship and stock it for a lengthy trip.
amundsen was often on the brink of financial collapse and under huge debt to get his expeditions under way....
and of course all the explorers partners would have to hold the fort and look after the kids for lengthy periods in the mens absence, with little if any communication on how they were faring....

[Swifty]

Shackleton's description is in his book South, highly recommended reading. Apart from his outstanding leadership, I am constantly amazed at how he managed to keep the morale of his expedition high at all times. Boy, were those men tough! Edwardian Heroes!