December 14, 1911: Roald Amundsen Reaches the South Pole

On December 14, 1911, Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and his team of four men became the first humans to reach the geographic South Pole, planting the Norwegian flag at the bottom of the world. After 99 days of grueling travel across Antarctica's frozen wilderness, Amundsen achieved one of the greatest geographical prizes in exploration history.

The Secret Race to the South Pole

Amundsen originally planned to reach the North Pole first, but when American explorers Robert Peary and Frederick Cook both claimed to have reached it in 1909, Amundsen secretly changed his target to the South Pole. He told almost no one, including his crew, until after they had already sailed south. Amundsen established his base camp at the Bay of Whales, 60 miles closer to the Pole than Scott's camp at Cape Evans.

The Journey Across Antarctica

Amundsen and his carefully selected team of five departed Framheim base camp on October 19, 1911, with four sledges pulled by 52 Greenland sled dogs. They traveled 15 to 20 miles per day across the Ross Ice Shelf, then climbed the treacherous Axel Heiberg Glacier to reach the polar plateau. Temperatures dropped to negative 76°F.

Reaching the South Pole

On December 14, 1911, at approximately 3:00 PM, Amundsen's team reached 90 degrees south latitude, the geographic South Pole. The team took readings and observations to confirm their position, then spent three days conducting measurements in a 12 mile radius to ensure they had truly reached the mathematical point of the Pole. They celebrated with a special meal, though their emotions were surprisingly subdued after the long journey.

The Contrasting Fates

Amundsen's team began their return journey on December 17 and reached Framheim on January 25, 1912, with all five men healthy and 11 of their dogs still alive. Meanwhile, Scott's team reached the Pole on January 17, 1912, devastated to find Amundsen's tent and the Norwegian flag already planted. Weakened by malnutrition, frostbite, and possibly scurvy, all five men died between February and March 1912, just 11 miles from a supply depot that could have saved them.

Legacy of the Achievement

Amundsen's successful polar conquest established him as one of history's greatest polar explorers. He had also been first to navigate the Northwest Passage from 1903 to 1906, and would later attempt to fly over the North Pole. The race between Amundsen and Scott became legendary, inspiring countless books and films.