Amundsen, The Polar Explorer

1. EDITORIAL WEEBLE
FERNANDO G. RODRIGUEZ
Author and illustrations

2. 2014 Editorial Weeble
Author: Fernando G. Rodríguez info@editorialweeble.com
Illustrations: Fernando G. Rodríguez
Translation: María Jesús Chacón Huertas mariajechahu@hotmail.com
http://eng.editorialweeble.com
Madrid, Spain, March 2014
1
Licence: Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-Share Alike 3.0
Thanks to María Jesús Chacón for her splendid translation

3. 2
For all those who try to challenge
their own human limits

4. This is an excited and freezing
adventure dating back on 16th
July 1872, when our hero
was born. His name was
Roald Amundsen and he
came from a small coastal
town near Oslo, Norway,
known as Borge.
CHAPTER 1
During the
first years

5. As his father worked as a captain and his brothers also were sailors, his mother tried
to convince him to be a doctor. She did not stop saying to his husband:
- Jens, I would love Roald to be a doctor. I would not like him to become a sailor or
a captain.
- As you wish! – answered Amundsen´s father.
4

6. As the years went by, Roald went to school and learnt a lot. However, he was
increasingly fascinated by the adventures of the explorers. He dreamt of
becoming a famous explorer while he was constantly reading...
He read about Greenland, the huge island located between North America and
the Artic Ocean. He was quite surprised when he read that nearly all of the giant
island was covered with ice.
When Amundsen was 16, he heard the
Norwegian explorer, Fridtjof Nansen, had
became the first person to cover
Greenland.
He knew some other explorers failed to
make the same Nansen´s crossing.
Nansen´s expedition had been a great
success, and when he returned to his
country, he was received as a hero all over
Norway.
5
ARCTIC OCEAN GLACIER
ICELAND
CANADA
ATLANTIC OCEAN
Nansen road
GROENLANDIA

7. That encouraged Amundsen to continue learning everything he could about Nansen´s
expedition. He was so fascinated about it that an increasing desire to became a polar
explorer awoke in his mind. Then, he says to his mother:
- Mum, I already know what I want to be when I grow up.
- And tell me, Roald, what do you want to be when you grow up?
- I want to be a great polar explorer! – Amundsen answered.
At this, she was so amazed that she replied to her son firmly:
- No, Roald. You must do whatever I say: you will become a doctor!
6

8. So following his mother´s wishes, Amundsen began studying Medicine. Unfortunately,
his father died when he was 14 and shortly after beginning his medical studies, his
mother also died. It was then when he left school in order to pursue his dream: to
become a great polar explorer.
Then Roald became a sailor on various seal ships travelling to the Arctic, where he
learnt everything he could about navigation and other survival techniques.
7

9. CHAPTER 2
The first
expedition
When Amundsen was 25, he
found out a Belgian expedition
was about to explore Antarctica.
As he strongly wished to be part of
that expedition, he managed to get
an interview with the expedition
leader:
ATLANTIC
OCEAN

10. - Mr. Adrien de Gerlache – allow me to present to you my experiences to work as a
helmsman – Amundsen says.
Mr. Adrien de Gerlache, after a careful study of Amundsen experiences, tells him:
- Mr. Amundsen, you are the new helmsman of our ship, the Belgica.
- Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity. I certainly will not dissapoint you
– Amundsen answers.
9

11. And this is how Amundsen and his shipmates sailed on the Belgica in August , 1897.
Needless to say that our brave explorer was a little nervous as this was his first polar
expedition.
Finally, despite the exhausting
and dangerous trip, they
reached the Antartic Peninsula.
But, the Belgica got trapped
in the ice. As a result of that,
they became the first
expedition to survive a frozen
winter on the Antartic.
During that winter, Amundsen
remembered and always put
into practice every valuable
lesson of survival he had learnt
in his early trips. In that way,
they were preparing themselves
to survive ...
10

12. For instance, the American expedition doctor, Frederick Cook, tells Amundsen how to
feed the crew:
- My captain, the crew must eat meat of marine animals, even raw meat. This is the
only way we will prevent them from suffering scurvy.
- Well, I agree, Mr. Cook. Command the crew to hunt all we can eat. We will have to
eat raw meat as we cannot cook it here – the captain replies.
One of the lessons Amundsen had learnt was that using
animal skins rather than wool coats were much better to
keep warm. So, he says to the hunters:
- Don´t throw the seal skins out. If we use them for
coats, we will be protected from the cold.
11

13. When the harsh winter finished, the spring came and the ice melted in such a way the
Belgica was able to be freed from the ice. Mainly, thanks to the advices given by Cook
and Amundsen, the entire crew had survived without much difficulty.
Amundsen continued learning from his experiences throughout his voyages: he would
never forget all the lessons learnt in this cold voyage. So, he would take them on
board to further improve his upcoming trips.
12

14. CHAPTER 3
The
Northwest
Passage

15. Amundsen commanded his own polar expedition when he was 27. He found a
new sea route from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean through the islands of Canada.
To achieve that goal, Amundsen raised enough money to buy a ship called Gjoa. It
was a small but a manageable ship to navigate on routes through the harsh Artic
waters.
14
GROENLANDIA
ICELAND
NORTH
POLE
CANADA
ALASKA
Northwest
passage

16. On 16th June 1903, with a crew of 6, our brave explorer sailed from Oslo around the
south of Greenland, through Baffin Bay and finally reached northern Canada. The
expedition spent two cold winters there and during that time the crew survived by
hunting and fishing.
Then Amundsen met the native Eskimos from Canada, known as the Netsilik. They
were the ones who taught them how to protect themselves from the severe cold and
how to pull sleds by dogs. Also, the crew learnt other survival techniques.
Once more Amundsen continued learning and improving his polar exploration
techniques.
15

17. Finally, after those harsh and freezing two years, the Gjoa arrived safe and sound at
Alaska´s northwest coast. Amundsen exclaimed excitedly:
- I am very happy. Thank you for your great efforts! I am very proud of you all!
Once the expedition arrived in Alaska,
Amundsen was eager to tell the world
his expedition had been a real success.
He found out the nearest city with
telegraph was about 400 kms. from
where he was.
Then, our explorer, almost without
thinking, decided to get there with
nothing but his skis. In those times, as
mobile phones and Internet did not
exist, people used the telegraph for
communication.
16

18. The message he sent to the world was as follows:
“The Gjoa has reached Alaska. The expedition has been a success. Opened the
Northwest Passage. Signed by Roald Amundsen”.
Because of Amundsen´s ability to navigate and survive, this trip had been a great
accomplishment. Because of his courage and his never-ending energy, he became the
great explorer he had always dreamt of…
As had happened with Nansen´s
expedition, when Amundsen´s expedition
came back to Norway, this one was
treated as a hero.
17

19. CHAPTER 4
Towards the
North Pole

20. After the success of this last expedition, Amundsen started to organize another one.
But, this time, his main aim was to be the first to reach the North Pole.
For that, he needed a different, stronger ship. Suddenly, he thought the ship used by
Nansen, named `the Fram´ was the best ship for this new adventure.
Therefore, Amundsen decided to visit to Nansen in order to borrow `the Fram´. After
listening carefully to Amundsen proposal, he believed it was a wonderful idea and
agreed to let him borrow his ship.
19

21. The Fram was a quite different ship because it was built for a particular task: open
water in rough sea and adverse meteorological conditions. For that reason, although it
was a plain ship in shape, it was also very wide. The Fram was so wide that it could
even carry provisions for six years!
Before embarking on his adventure, Amundsen looked up several sponsors to fund the
expedition.
20

22. While he was preparing his voyage, he heard the explorers Cook and Robert Peary
had already reached the North Pole as a result of two different expeditions.
Clearly, this news deeply disappointed Amundsen, who thought: `I must change the
aim of my journey as I cannot be the first to reach the North Pole´. Then, he kept
thinking and thinking … and finally he said: - ‘Yes, I´ve got it! I will be the first to reach
the South Pole!´
21

23. He was happy and excited but at the same time Amundsen was afraid because he
had to communicate his new aim to Nansen and his sponsors. He thought … -
`Now, they may not want to support my new plan. They may decide not to help me this
time´.
To avoid this, he concludes by saying: `I will keep my new route in secret. Later when
they cannot change their decision, I will tell them the real aim of my expedition´.
22

24. Then Amundsen started choosing his crew: among others, he chose a doctor and a
good cook. Both of these were key jobs in such difficult voyages. Of course, Nilsen
was chosen as the second in charge to the captain.
As in his early trips he learnt that the best way to move across the ice was pulling
sleds by dogs, he also decided to recruit a dog expert.
23

25. When everything was ready, on August 1910 the expedition left. Although everybody
thought they went towards the North Pole …
They sailed through the deep blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean towards the island of
Madeira, which belongs to Portugal. The first idea was to reach the North Pole from
Alaska, whereby the Fram had to circumvent America. At Madeira, Amundsen met up
with the crew to communicate his new plan.
-As you all know, the Americans
Frederik Cook and Robert Peary
have already reached the North
Pole. So, if we go forward with my
plan, we will no longer be the first …
- the captain says.
- Therefore, I propose to you a new
challenge which will allow us to be
the first … - he goes on to say.
After listening to Amundsen´s words,
they were all astonished and
impatient.
24

26. At last, Amundsen exclaims: - We will be the first to reach the South Pole!
The crew was delighted with the new proposal and everybody yells:
-Yes, captain, we will be the first to reach the South Pole!
- It is a wonderful idea! We do not want to be second!
He did not have to persuade them further. There was no doubt that the entire crew had
a blind faith in Amundsen. The captain says:
-Then, we will do so! Thank you for your support. I will telegraph Norway and the rest
of the world to inform about our new plan.
The news of Amundsen´s revised plan
reached Norway early in October and
Nansen was the first to know it. Of
course, Nansen gave his blessing and
warm approval. Besides, his country as well
as his expedition sponsors also supported him.
25
ANTARCTICA
MADEIRA

27. CHAPTER 5
The South Pole
expedition

28. Nearly six months later and after a long, hard voyage, the Fram reached Antarctica
on 14th January 1911.
The expedition arrived at the eastern edge of the Ross Ice Shelf. They established
their base camp at a large inlet called the Bay of Whales.
The camp was called `Framheim´, which means `home of the Fram´.
27

29. At that time, our brave explorer knew he was in a race with the British explorer, the
captain Robert Scott to be the first to reach the South Pole.
Fortunately, thanks to their established Framheim at the Bay of Whales, Amundsen
and his crew already had a certain advantage to their competitor: Amundsen´s base
camp was nearly 100 kms. closer to the South Pole than Scott´s base camp.
28
ANTARCTICA
Amundsen
Base Camp
Scott
Base Camp
SOUTH POLE
80º S
90º S
Ross Ice Shelf
ROSS SEA

30. The entire crew was aware that for them to succeed they had to be well-prepared:
among other things, they must use skis and dog sleds for transportation. Then,
Amundsen and his men decided to create 3 intermediate supply depots along the
way to the Pole. They created them during the months of February, March and April.
Besides this, they took advantage of the freezing winter to improve their expedition
materials, particularly the sledges. Their purpose was to start their trip in September.
29

31. Our brave explorer thought September was the perfect month, mainly because spring
came to Antarctica then and, therefore, the weather conditions were rather better.
So, when everything was ready for the voyage, Amundsen chose 8 crewmen and
they departed towards the South Pole.
However, contrary to what they believed the freezing temperatures were so extreme
and dropped as low as minus 40ºC: there were strong winds with snow; the blizzards
and heavy fogs were so strong that visibility was extremely poor… the purpose was to
start their trip in September.
Therefore, they had to quit their huge trek
due to the adverse weather conditions.
Though they decided to leave the food supplies
they did not need in the first intermediate
camp.
Meanwhile, the expedition waited
patiently in the base camp until the
weather conditions improved.
30

32. A second attempt took place in mid October, with a team made up of 5: Bjaaland,
Hassel, Wisting, Hanssen and Amundsen.
Everybody in the camp wished the new team all the best.
This time, they departed Framheim on 19th October. They took four sledges and 52
dogs. The sled dogs were led by a Samoyed named Etah. Amundsen made sure that
the dogs were well fed.
Bjaaland, the carpenter of the crew, was the one who redesigned the sledges they
would use by
lowering their
weight. Later, this
lower weight
was crucial
in saving
energy
during the
trip.
31

33. Once again, when everything was ready, Amundsen ordered to the team to begin the
journey.
- Come on, guys! Towards the South Pole! – Amundsen exclaims.
- Yes, towards the South Pole! –the team yells.
It had been over a year since they left their country and finally, the long awaited
moment had arrived…
32

34. - We will continue straight on towards the South Pole, crossing the edge of the Ross
Ice Shelf – Amundsen told his team.
Fortunately, this time, the weather conditions did not worsen, so that they reached the
first depot without any kind of setback.
Also, they reached the second depot without any problem and at the beginning of
November they arrived at the third intermediate depot.
Until then everything was
going well. Even the sledges
pulled by dogs were
progressing as scheduled.
Sometimes, the blistering cold
and the frozen wind forced
them to shelter in their tents.
So, fighting against the
extreme cold, the expedition
continued as planned.
33

35. In mid November, they arrived at the edge of the Trans-Antarctic mountains using a
route along the previously unknown Axel Heiberg Glacier.
Although the ascent to the mountains was not as hard as expected, the intense cold
remained shouts their first enemy …
At last, after a four-day climb, Wisting, who was the first in the group, shouted:
- Captain, the plateau!
They had arrived at the
Antarctic Plateau, a
large and flat area of
central Antarctica.
34

36. The expedition camped there and then … but now the harshest moment in the voyage
came.
Amundsen reminded his men: - Hassel, Hanssen, as you already know, we must
slaughter some dogs.
-Yes, captain. We know that is our foreseen plan – they answer while unsheathing their
knives.
So, fulfilling their initial plan, they had to slaughter 24 dogs. The expedition team as
well as the other 28 dogs
were fed by them.
The remaining meat and
the bones were buried
under the frozen snow
with the aim of being
eaten when they
returned.
Henceforth, that place
was know as as `The
Butcher´s Shop´.
35

37. From there they started walking through the Antarctic Plateau.
Unfortunately, the weather worsened: a dense fog forced them to take refuge in the
tent until it cleared. But … the days passed by and the fog continued and even grew.
The explorers were slowly becoming impatient.
- Captain, the fog is not disappearing. We cannot just stay here quietly and wait! –
Hanssen told Amundsen.
- I know it. We can hardly do otherwise. We have to resist. This endless fog will rise
soon! – Amundsen answers.
Amundsen was also concerned about the
situation, but he wanted to avoid
causing them any sadness. Besides,
he was worried because they were
taking more provisions than
expected and it was an
unbearably cold.
36

38. The fog rose after 9 long days. From then they were able to continue their voyage
towards the South Pole.
On 7th December 1911, after a difficult journey, they were very close to achieving their
target.
- Gentlemen, I would like to inform you, we are 150 kms. from the South Pole. So far,
no one has been so close. Keep going, don´t give up! – Amundsen encouraged them.
- Captain, we are about to achieve our goal. The dogs are behaving rather nicely and
we are certainly on the right track – Bjaaland replies.
This way, despite all the difficulties, the
crew encouraged each other to move
forward.
However, our brave polar
explorers had less and less
strength…
37

39. At last, they reached their destination on December 14th, 1911.
-Amundsen, we have achieved it, we are in the South Pole! – Wisting yells.
-We are the first! – Hassel shouts.
It was nearly two months since they had left the Framheim. With a big smile on his
face and with bright eyes, Amundsen congratulates his team.
-Gentlemen, congratulations for the fine work you have done. It has been a pleasure to
reach the South Pole with all of you.
-Hurray, Amundsen! – everybody yells almost without any strength left.
On that historic day, the team of
five, with their 16 dogs, arrived at
the South Pole, at latitude 90º S.
There, they planted the Norwegian
flag.
They also left a small tent and a
letter stating their accomplishment,
in case they did not return safely to
Framheim.
38

40. Quickly, they returned to the base camp following the same route. They were so
exhausted and so cold they could not stay there any longer.
On the other hand, Robert Scott´s British expedition reached the South Pole 35
days after Amundsen. But, unfortunately, they did not return home alive. Some
months later, they were found frozen to death …
Whereas, all five of Amundsen´s crew returned safely to Framheim, but only 11 dogs
made it back alive. The journey to the South Pole and back had taken 99 days.
So, it was on 25 January, 1912, when the team finally reached the base camp. When
they saw the expedition
safe and sound,
everybody shouted for
joy:
- Congratulations
captain!
- We are the first.
Cheers for Norway!
Long live Amundsen!
39

41. CHAPTER 6
Other
expedition
achivements

42. During the next years, Amundsen continued making many explorations: among others,
he sailed the Northwest Passage, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean through
Russia´s northern coast. Later on, he joined an expedition aboard an airship and
flew over the North Pole.
Amundsen died in a plane crash during a rescue attempt on 18th June, 1928. He
was trying to rescue some of the crew of an expedition which had been lost. The
hydroplane in which he flew crashed in the deep Bareints sea, in northern Norway and
Russia. His body was never found …
41

43. This story is considered as one of the greatest historical epics in recent human history.
All the brave explorers who took part in the conquest of the South Pole shared
their frozen experiences with us. They all challenged their own human limits.
They are considered great heroes…
42

44. The end
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47. Licence: Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-Share Alike 3.0
2014 Editorial Weeble
Author: Fernando G. Rodríguez info@editorialweeble.com
Illustrations: Fernando G. Rodríguez
Translation: María Jesús Chacón Huertas mariajechahu@hotmail.com
http://eng.editorialweeble.com
Madrid, Spain, March 2014