Both Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott were pursuing the
same goal in their race to the South Pole: to be first. Each was
faced with the daunting task of convincing investors, scientific
organizations, and governments to fund their respective
journeys. Scott promoted scientific advancement in his efforts,
while Amundsen spoke of the significance of his attempt on the
pole for the international prestige of Norway. (That's what he
said, but his backers thought he meant the North Pole; to find
out why he misled them, read "Amundsen's Expedition.") Neither
Amundsen nor Scott was new to polar exploration. Nevertheless,
the conditions they faced after arriving in Antarctica were
challenging even for them. Whether each team was laying out
caches of supplies, waiting out the harsh winter, or making
ready for the final push to the pole, almost every day brought
new concerns and risks. Amundsen was a meticulous planner; he
realized that success was sure only if he correctly estimated
the risks he would face, leavi