Ice cave near Cape Evans, Terra Nova in distance, Herbert Ponting, 1911

Lieutenant Edward Evans and biologist Edward Nelson chisel an ice cave for food storage on January 12, 1911.

“A great bastion of ice”—Ponting’s description for this feature photographed in September 1911—is among many unusual ice formations observed during the expedition. For instance, sledging parties often encountered sastrugi, wind-sculpted snow that can resemble the surface of a stormy sea. The men learned to “read” the sastrugi to determine the direction of the wind and then pitch their tents accordingly.

In the Ice Pack from the Maintop of the Terra Nova, Herbert G. Ponting, December 12th 1910

A grotto in an iceberg, with the Terra Nova in distance.