In reply to The Lemming: There's a quote in Scott of the Antartic, about his attempt and death:
"It is proof that in the days of depressing materialism men can still be found to face known hardship, heavy risk, and even death, in pursuit of an idea.."
I think it's quite a timeless quote, and shows that misty eyed look at the past has gone on for generations.
Only recently we just found the source of the Nile, losing one explorer.