South Pole expedition

Roald Amundsen · 1910 CE – 1911 CE · Earth

Be first to reach the South Pole.

Historical context

The race to the South Pole was a contest of national prestige fought in the press as much as on the ice. Amundsen chose dogs, skis and Inuit clothing while Scott relied on ponies and motor sledges.

The voyage, step by step

1. Departure from Norway

   August 1910

   The Fram leaves Oslo in August 1910 with a crew who believe they are bound for the Arctic.

2. The secret revealed

   1910 CE

   At Madeira Amundsen tells the crew the true goal is the South Pole; all agree to continue.

3. Base at the Bay of Whales

   1911 CE

   Framheim is built on the Ross Ice Shelf, closer to the pole than Scott's base.

4. Laying depots

   February 1911

   Supplies are cached along the route in February, before the polar night closes in.

5. The Axel Heiberg ascent

   1911 CE

   The party climbs the glacier to the polar plateau with five men, four sledges and 52 dogs.

6. The South Pole

   14 December 1911

   On 14 December 1911 Amundsen and four companions reach the pole, 34 days before Scott.

7. Return to Framheim

   1911 CE

   The whole party returns safely in January 1912, a feat of planning as much as endurance.

Outcome

Reached the pole on 14 December 1911, ahead of Scott.

Roald Amundsen

Norwegian polar explorer who led the first expedition to reach the South Pole and the first confirmed traverse of the Northwest Passage.

Read on Wikipedia

Sources

• Roald Amundsen — Wikipedia

Continue exploring

• Northwest PassageRoald Amundsen · 1903 CE – 1906 CE
• Terra Nova expeditionRobert Falcon Scott · 1910 CE – 1912 CE
• North Pole expeditionMatthew Henson · 1908 CE – 1909 CE
• North Pole attemptRobert Peary · 1908 CE – 1909 CE