 Gran travelled back to the base at Cape Evans wearing Scott's skis, reasoning that at least Scott's skis would complete the journey.Before leaving Antarctica he made an ascent of Mount Erebus with Raymond Priestley and Frederick Hooper in December 1912, an occasion which nearly ended in disaster when an unexpected eruption caused a shower of huge pumice blocks to fall around him.On 24 July 1913 Gran was awarded the Polar Medal by King George V.
On his return voyage, Gran met aviator Robert Loraine, the first pilot to cross the Irish sea, and immediately took an interest in aviation.