Polar expedition fitting tribute to old heroes

I WAS disappointed to read Dan Murphy’s acerbic analysis of the recent expedition to the South Pole which he described as “beyond a joke” (Letters, January 19).

How difficult it has become to impress some people in this day and age when “through a chink too wide there comes in no wonder”.

I can think of a number of really worthwhile aspects to the Beyond Endurance trip. Heightened awareness of the South Pole and the impact of climate change for one. A real-time, tangible link to geography and exploration for schoolchildren who followed the team on the web.