The Australian Geologist Who Walked 160 Kilometres Back to Base Alone in 1913 After His Two Companions Died and Most of His Skin Fell Off
Douglas Mawson and two companions were 480 km from base on the Australasian Antarctic Expedition when one fell into a crevasse on 14 December 1912 with the dogs and most of the supplies. The second died of probable hypervitaminosis A on 8 January 1913. Mawson walked back alone for thirty days. By the time he reached base on 8 February 1913, the soles of his feet had detached and he had eaten his remaining sled dogs.
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