xxx FOREWORD 



years later, defined the northern extension of Greenland 

 and conclusively proved that it is an island instead of 

 a continent extending to the Pole. In boldness of con- 

 ception and brilliancy of results these two crossings of 

 Greenland are unsurpassed in arctic history. The mag- 

 nitude of Peary's feat is better appreciated when it is 

 recalled that Nansen's historic crossing of the island was 

 below the Arctic Circle, 1000 miles south of Peary's 

 latitude, where Greenland is some 250 miles wide. 



Peary now turned his attention to the Pole, which 

 lay 396 geographical miles farther north than any man 

 had penetrated on the western hemisphere. To get 

 there by the American route he must break a virgin 

 trail every mile north from Greely's 83° 24'. No one 

 had pioneered so great a distance northward. Markham 

 and others had attained enduring fame by advancing 

 the flag considerably less than 100 miles, Parry had 

 pioneered 150 miles, and Nansen 128 from his ship. 



His experiences in Greenland had convinced Peary, 

 if possible more firmly than before, that the only 

 way of surmounting this last and most formidable 

 barrier was to adopt the manner of life, the food, 

 the snowhouses, and the clothing of the Eskimos, who 

 by centuries of experience had learned the most effect- 

 ive method of combating the rigors of arctic weather; 

 to utilize the game of the northland, the arctic reindeer, 

 musk ox, etc., which his explorations had proved 

 comparatively abundant, thus with fresh meat keeping 

 his men fit and good-tempered through the depress- 

 ing winter night; and lastly to train the Eskimo to 

 become his sledging crew. 



In his first north polar expedition, which lasted for 



