The land party that wintered in the South was divided into three.  One party was to go eastward to King Edward VII.  Land and explore it, the second was to go westward to the South Magnetic Pole, and the third southward toward the Geographical Pole.

In the plan submitted to the Royal Geographical Society Shackleton says:  “I do not intend to sacrifice the scientific utility of the expedition to a mere record-breaking journey, but say frankly, all the same, that one of my great efforts will be to reach the Southern Geographical Pole.”

It was further intended that the Nimrod should explore Wilkes Land.

As draught animals Shackleton had both ponies and dogs, but chiefly ponies.  The dogs were regarded more as a reserve.  Shackleton’s experience was that the Ice Barrier was best suited for ponies.  They also took a motor-car, besides the usual equipment of sledges, ski, tents, etc.

Leaving Lyttelton on January 1, 1908, the Nimrod reached the ice-pack on the 15th, and arrived in the open Ross Sea in lat. 70deg. 43’ S., long. 178deg. 58’ E. The Ross Barrier was sighted on January 23.  The original intention was to follow this, and try to land the shore party in Barrier Inlet, which was practically the beginning of King Edward VII.  Land; but it was found that Barrier Inlet had disappeared, owing to miles of the Barrier having calved away.  In its place was a long, wide bay, which Shackleton named the Bay of Whales.  This discovery determined him not to attempt to winter on the Barrier, but on solid land.  At this part of the voyage the course of the Nimrod coincided very nearly with that of the Fram on her second outward trip.

After an unsuccessful attempt to reach King Edward VII.  Land, Shackleton turned to the west and took up his winter quarters on Ross Island in McMurdo Sound.

The southern party, composed of Shackleton, Adams, Marshall, and Wild, started on October 29, 1908, with four sledges, four ponies, and provisions for ninety-one days.  On November 26 Scott’s farthest south, 82deg. 17’ S. was passed.  By the time lat. 84deg. was reached all the ponies were dead, and the men had to draw the sledges themselves.  They were then faced by the long and difficult ascent of Beardmore Glacier, and it was not until seventeen days later that they came out on the high plateau surrounding the Pole.  At last, on January 9, 1909, they were compelled to return by shortness of provisions, having planted Queen Alexandra’s flag in lat. 88deg. 23’ S., long. 162deg.  E.

Everyone who reads Shackleton’s diary must feel a boundless admiration for these four heroes.  History can scarcely show a clearer proof of what men can accomplish when they exert their full strength of will and body.  These men have raised a monument, not only to themselves and their achievement, but also to the honour of their native land and the whole of civilized humanity.

Shackleton’s exploit is the most brilliant incident in the history of Antarctic exploration.