In Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Footsteps

South Georgia Island is deeply connected to one of the greatest survival stories in exploration history — that of Sir Ernest Shackleton and the ill-fated Endurance expedition. After his ship was trapped and crushed in the Weddell Sea, Shackleton led his crew across drifting ice, sailed 800 miles in a small open boat to South Georgia, and then crossed the island’s uncharted mountains and glaciers to reach the whaling station at Stromness and organize a rescue. His extraordinary leadership and determination saved every man in his crew and earned him a place among the most legendary explorers of all time.

Scouts visiting South Georgia will walk in Shackleton’s footsteps — literally. Weather permitting, they may hike part of the historic route he and two others took during their desperate crossing in 1916. At Grytviken, they’ll visit Shackleton’s final resting place, where tradition calls for visitors to raise a toast to “The Boss” at his simple, windswept grave. Nearby, the South Georgia Museum offers a fascinating look into the island’s history of exploration, whaling, and natural science. For Scouts, this is more than a history lesson — it’s a chance to connect with the legacy of courage, endurance, and leadership that defines polar exploration.