Being towed to the South Pole“This is beyond our wildest dreams – being towed to the Pole!” Amundsen was ecstatic. The flat expanse of the Ross Ice Shelf made it possible for his team to be towed on their skis behind the dogsleds.
“Same fine weather. Yesterday we saw some wisps of cloud in the SW quarter, but thought little of it.”– Amundsen on this day 100 years ago (Read more …) 
Amundsen had expected the dogs to have plenty to deal with just hauling the heavily loaded sleds, but because of the good snow conditions and the easy terrain, everyone on the expedition team could benefit from the pulling power of the mighty Greenland huskies. The day they passed the point where we now stand – 80 degrees, 50 minutes south – Amundsen’s group covered 50 kilometres: “We drove the first 10 km in one hour.” We trudge onward and search longingly for anything that might lend a helping hand. The snow conditions and the terrain are perfect for ski-sailing, but the wind is blowing straight against us. Still, we’ve heard weather reports that forecast winds from the northwest – so maybe we too will have a chance to be towed to the Pole. Position: S 80 49.903, W 166 24.274
Temperature: -24°C Wind: 4 m/s from the south-southeast Distance traversed: 31 km Distance behind Amundsen: 244 km Did you know that satellite data are downloaded from space at Troll Station in Antarctica?
Since time immemorial we humans have found our way by looking to the heavens; we navigated with the help of the sun and the stars. Today, satellites in space tell us where in the world we are. |
South Pole 1911–2011 is an informational outreach project run by the Norwegian Polar Institute
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