"To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield." is the concluding line of Alfred Lord Tennyson's Ulysses, and was placed on the cross honoring Scott and the men that died with him on their return from the South Pole.
Cross honoring Scott and his men
The cross was placed on top of 750-foot-high Observation Hill on January 22, 1913 by the men from the expedition that had supported the polar party of Robert F. Scott, Edward A. Wilson, Henry R. Bowers ("Birdie”), Lawrence "Titus” Oates, and Edgar "Taff” Evans.
Observation Hill is a popular hike at McMurdo that yields great views. The hiking trails are all marked by trail signs.
Trail sign and view to the top of "Ob" Hill
It is a steep trail but only takes a half-hour to scramble up. And the views at the top are terrific.
View of the top of Ob Hill with prayer flags and cross
View of Scott Base
View of McMurdo
View of the Sea Ice Runway at McMurdo
View of Castle Hill (the small nob in the center back of photo)
It is fascinating to read the history of this area and then walk on the same ground that others have walked before. I will leave you with a quote from Raymond Priestly, the geologist on Scott's 1910-1913 expedition.
"The winter of 1912 has undoubtedly left its mark on all of us, and none of us would care to repeat the experience, but in my own case, the "Call of the South” remains a force…which is probably rather increased than decreased by the hardships.”