EXPEDITION TO SOUTH POLE — AMUNDSEN. 713 



"Weather been variable — calms alternating with storms — snow strata 

 of different density would have formed, a condition which we would 

 immediately have noticed when driving in our tent poles. 



Our dead reckoning had heretofore always given the same results 

 as our astronomical observations. During the last eight days of our 

 march we had continuous sunshine. Every day we stopped at noon 

 in order to measure the meridian altitude and every evening we 

 made an observation for azimuth. On December 13 the meridian 

 altitude gave 89° 37', dead reckoning, 89° 38'. In latitude 88° 25' 

 we had been able to make om* last good observation of azimuth. Sub- 

 sequently this method of observation became valueless. As these 

 last observations gave practically the same result and the difference 

 was almost a constant one, we used the observation made in 88° 25' 

 as a basis. We calculated that we should reach our goal on Decem- 

 ber 14. 



December 14 dawned. It seemed to me as if we slept a shorter 

 time, as if we ate breakfast in greater haste, and as if we started earlier 

 on this morning than on the preceding days. As heretofore, we had 

 clear weather, beautiful sunshine, and only a very light breeze. We 

 advanced well. Not much was said. I think that each one of us 

 was occupied \\ath his own thoughts. Probably only one thought 

 dominated us all, a thought which caused us to look eagerly toward 

 the south and to scan the horizon of this unlimited plateau. Were 

 we the iu'st or ? 



The distance calculated was covered. Our goal had been reached. 

 Quietly, m absolute silence, the mighty plateau lay stretched out 

 before us. No man had ever yet seen it, no man had ever yet stood 

 on it. In no direction was a sign to be seen. It was indeed a solemn 

 moment when, each of us grasping the flagpole with one hand, we 

 all hoisted the flag of our country on the geographical South Pole, on 

 "King Haakon VII Plateau." 



During the night, as our watches showed it to be, three of our 

 men went around the camp in a circle 10 geographical miles (11.6 

 statute miles) in diameter and erected cairns, while the other two 

 men remained in the tent and made hourly astronomical observa- 

 tions of the sun. These gave 89° 55' S. We might well have been 

 satisfied with this result, but we had time to spare and the weather 

 was fine. Why should we not try to make our observations at the 

 pole itself? On December 16, therefore, we transported our tent the 

 remaining 5f miles to the south and camped there. We arranged 

 everything as comfortably as possible in order to make a round of 

 observations during the 24 hours. The altitude was measured ever}'" 

 hour by four men with the sextant and artificial horizon. These 

 observations will be worked out at the University of Christiania. 



