Barnacle Bill Magazine March 2016 issue 3 | Page 9

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Above: Pete Vassilakos of VASS Designs in Canada is well known for his polar art and designs. He
sent us this tribute to LtCol. Henry Worsley
Tributes have been made by Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge and polar explorers and adventurers from
around the globe following the tragic death of Lt-Co Henry Worsley in hospital in Chile in January. Henry was
71 days into his attempt to be the first person to cross Antarctica solo and unsupported. Henry was using the
route planned by Shackleton for the Imperial Transantarctic Expedition in 1916, an experienced polar explorer,
Henry was just 30 miles from his goal when he radioed for emergency assistance. Unusually bad weather for
the time of year, with temperatures dropping as low as -44 degrees Celsius had dogged the expedition.
The Shackleton Solo Expedition achieved its fundraising goal of £100,000 for the Endeavour Fund, a charity
that helps wounded British servicemen and women.
In a scenario reminiscent of Scott’s last expedition in 1912, Henry Worsley was stranded in his tent for two days
by appalling weather and only 30 miles short of his goal, about two days away. Radioing for evacuation must
have been a very tough decision, Henry said “sadly, I have shot my bolt. My journey is at an end, I have run out
of time, physical endurance and the simple sheer ability to slide one ski in front of another to travel the distance
required to reach my goal. My summit was just out of reach but I have spent 70 days all alone in a place I love.”
Suffering from exhaustion and dehydration he was air lifted to hospital in Punta Arenas, Chile, where he was
diagnosed with peritonitis, an infection of the tissue lining the abdomen. Unfortunately, despite emergency
surgery and antibiotics, he died of multiple organ failure in hospital.
His achievement was quite incredible but it also reminds us all that despite the technology and air rescue of the
modern age, the Antarctic remains a huge challenge and as happened during the heroic age of polar exploration, weather can play a huge part in not only success or failure but in making it home alive. Our thoughts are
with Henry’s family at this time. He was an extraordi