GEOGRAPHY
Explorer Henry Worsley died as he tried to cross Antarctica unaided. (BBC)
Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit.

Map by Andrew Umentum, National Geographic
Discussion Ideas
- Take a look at the Nat Geo map above. Why do you think so many Antarctic explorers follow such similar routes to the South Pole and across the continent?
- It’s the shortest distance across the lopsided continent.
- In fact, according to our terrific encyclopedic entry, “Without any ice, Antarctica would emerge as a giant peninsula and archipelago of mountainous islands, known as Lesser Antarctica (West Antarctica), and a single large landmass about the size of Australia, known as Greater Antarctica (East Antarctica).”
- In addition to being much, much larger, explorers tend to avoid East Antarctica because its mountains are taller and it is perennially the coldest place on the face of the Earth.
- It’s the shortest distance across the lopsided continent.
- Nat Geo Explorer Borge Ousland crossed Antarctica solo in 1997. How was Henry Worsley’s expedition different from Ousland’s? Read through this Nat Geo News article written immediately before Worsley’s expedition for some help.
- Ousland used giant kites to help pull his sled across the slick, frozen Antarctic ice sheet. Worsley was attempting to be the first to cross the continent without support from the wind or anything else. (He almost did it, being rescued just 30 miles from his goal.)
- The BBC article notes the grief of Prince William and Prince Harry over Worsley’s death. Why was the British royal family so involved in Worsley’s expedition?
- Both Prince William and Prince Harry served in the military, and Lt. Col Henry Worsley was a career Army officer. Worsley’s expedition also raised more than $150,000 for the Endeavour Fund, a British nonprofit which helps wounded servicemen and women and is managed by the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (that’s Prince William and Kate Middleton) and Prince Harry.
TEACHERS’ TOOLKIT
BBC: Explorer Henry Worsley dies in Antarctic crossing
Nat Geo: This Man Will Spend 80 Days Walking Antarctica Alone
Nat Geo: 1987 Antarctica hi-res map
Nat Geo: What is Antarctica?
Nat Geo: Børge Ousland, Polar Explorer
I’m heartbroken this courageous British soldier was unable to fulfill his lifes dream. Albeit Henry Wolsley has died, without crossing completely unaided. He should receive the British Highest Honour possible for his unprecedented valour & for such a worthy trust charity. The King is dead. Long live the King!
Oh no!