Observation Hill, McMurdo

OBSERVATION HILL

                                                                                                                        Photo Credit: Rachel’s iPhone 5

In the foreground, to the right, is Scott’s Hut. In 1911 Scott’s Hut (also known as Cape Evans hut or Terra Nova hut) was ready for occupation. It has double-layer planked walls sandwiching a layer of insulating seaweed. Heating came from the kitchen stove. Lighting was acetylene gas. I will write a separate post about Scott’s Hut. I, unfortunately, did not have time to tour it myself.  

In the background is Observation Hill reaching 750 feet. The men staying at McMurdo would use Observation Hill for exercise and today’s residents do the same. From the top there are sweeping views of the Ross Ice Shelf, mountain ranges, Mt. Discovery and Mt. Erebus, the southernmost active volcano reaching 13,375 feet (3,795 meters).

Photo Credit: all images A. Lee. Bottom left image Rachel Stevens iPhone

The cross was erected in January 1913 to commemorate Captain Scott and his party who lost their lives on the return journey from the South Pole in March 1912.

Top Photo: Mt Erebus; Bottom Photo: Mt. Discovery