It has often been said that an Antarctic experience changes people forever. What is it that makes people want to endure discomfort and isolation for long periods?

There were a range of reasons why Scott and others in the expedition wanted to be involved in the Antarctic journey. Authorities on Scott have identified a number of reasons for this, his second polar expedition. To realise a personal ambition to reach the South Pole. There were many aspects to this goal. One was the personal honour he would receive but there was also a very keen rivalry with Shackleton who held the record for farthest south. Scott hoped that his naval career might be enhanced by success at reaching the Pole. Once the news of Amundsen's plans reached Scott this added another pressure to the Terra Nova expedition. Success at the Pole would bring considerable national prestige. Scott, typical of many Englishmen in the early twentieth century, believed that the values and ideals of the British, which had created one of the greatest empires in the world, would be worthily demonstrated in the polar quest. When the expedition was made public Scott announced that: The main object of the expedition is to reach the South Pole and to secure for The British Empire the honour of this achievement. Scott was an enthusiast for scientific endeavour and this was reflected in the large scientific contingent in the Terra Nova expedition. On the descent of the Beardmore Glacier Scott used valuable time and added to sledge weight by collecting geological specimens. Other members of the expedition went for similar reasons. Some, like Edward Evans and Henry Bowers, had become captivated by the Antarctic and saw the expedition as an adventure of a lifetime. Captain Oates was bored with his leisurely life in India and saw an opportunity for a personal challenge. Wilson had written to his wife that he wanted "to endure hardship and instead of that I enjoy hotel dinners and prefer hot water to cold". Some who had previous polar experience on the Discovery expedition came out of loyalty to Scott and the prospects for personal advancement. For most of the scientists the Terra Nova expedition was the opportunity of a lifetime and the chance to enhance their professional reputations.

For Eric, Peter and Jon one word sums up their main reason for undertaking the expedition: "adventure". All three thrive on the cutting edge of challenges where uncertainty, isolation and remoteness confront human endeavour. An adventure like this in the hardship and "magic" of the Antarctic is, as Peter Hillary states, a place where "you meet yourself". There are the opportunities to achieve a number of firsts. IceTrek will be the first expedition to travel by human effort to the Pole and to return. The team has also made a commitment to remove all rubbish including human waste and this will draw attention to the code of environmental ethics in Antarctica. State of the art communication technology combined with the Internet will enable a wider, global audience to learn about Antarctica. This sharing of their experiences will open up a new understanding of the continent. The team is keen to bring this experience to as many people as possible. The IceTrek expedition offers a window into the stories of adventure as well as highlighting the importance of a unique continent. In many ways the IceTrek team share the same adventuring and pioneering spirit of Scott's team.