# Roald Amundsen - Source: Kiddle (kids.kiddle.co), CC BY-SA 3.0, Kiddle encyclopedia, adapted from Wikipedia - Reading level: Grade 5 - Subjects: Explorers, People, History - Topics: amundsen, pole, ship, south, expedition, first - Length: 1223 words, about 9 min - Published: 2026-01-01 - Original: - Page: - Open in Sprouts: ![Amundsen's face in a black-and-white photo](https://sprout.rootsofreason.org/media/kiddle-roald-amundsen-9999405776.jpg) **Roald Engelbregt Gravning Amundsen** (born July 16, 1872 – disappeared June 18, 1928) was a famous Norwegian explorer. He was known for his amazing journeys to the coldest parts of the world, the polar regions. He was a very important person during a time called the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, when many brave explorers tried to reach the Earth's poles. Amundsen was born in Borge, Østfold, Norway. He started his career as a polar explorer when he was a first mate on an expedition to Antarctica from 1897 to 1899. From 1903 to 1906, he led the first team to successfully travel through the Northwest Passage. This was a sea route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Arctic. In 1909, Amundsen began planning a trip to the South Pole. He left Norway in June 1910 on his ship, the *Fram*. He reached Antarctica in January 1911. His team set up a camp and left supplies along the way. On December 14, 1911, Amundsen and his team of five became the first people to reach the South Pole. After a failed attempt to reach the North Pole by ship in 1918, Amundsen decided to try by air. On May 12, 1926, Amundsen and 15 other men flew over the North Pole in an airship called the *Norge*. They were the first explorers confirmed to have reached the North Pole. Amundsen disappeared in June 1928 while on a rescue mission in the Arctic. He was trying to find another airship crew. His remains were never found. ## Early Life and Dreams Amundsen was born into a family of shipowners and captains in Borge, Østfold, Norway. He was the fourth son of Jens Amundsen and Hanna Sahlqvist. His mother wanted him to become a doctor, not a sailor. Roald promised her he would, and he studied medicine until she passed away when he was 21. After that, he quickly left university to follow his dream of a life at sea. When he was 15 years old, Amundsen read exciting stories about Sir John Franklin's Arctic expeditions. Amundsen later wrote that these stories "shaped the whole course of my life." He was fascinated by the idea of exploring the unknown polar regions. ## Amazing Polar Journeys ### First Antarctic Winter ![Belgica schiff](https://sprout.rootsofreason.org/media/kiddle-roald-amundsen-ef97eaf7c0.jpg) RV *Belgica* frozen in the ice, 1898 In 1897, when he was 25, Amundsen joined the Belgian Antarctic Expedition as the first mate. This expedition, led by Adrien de Gerlache, used a ship called the RV *Belgica*. It became the first expedition to spend a winter in Antarctica. The *Belgica* got stuck in the sea ice near Alexander Island. The crew had to survive a very harsh winter, and they were not well prepared for it. The expedition's doctor, Frederick Cook, helped save the crew from scurvy. Scurvy is a serious illness caused by not getting enough vitamin C. Cook hunted animals and fed the crew fresh meat. Raw meat, especially from organs, contains enough vitamin C to prevent scurvy when citrus fruits are not available. ### Conquering the Northwest Passage ![Nlc amundsen](https://sprout.rootsofreason.org/media/kiddle-roald-amundsen-bd22e4349b.jpg) Amundsen c. 1908 In 1903, Amundsen led the first expedition to successfully sail through Canada's Northwest Passage. This passage connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. He chose a small fishing vessel, the *Gjøa*, with only six men. This small ship was flexible and could sail in shallow waters. It also had a small 13-horsepower diesel engine. They sailed through Baffin Bay and the Parry Channel. They spent two winters at King William Island, in a place now called Gjoa Haven. During this time, Amundsen and his crew learned important survival skills from the local Netsilik Inuit people. These skills were very helpful for his later trips. For example, he learned to use sled dogs for travel and to wear animal skins instead of heavy wool clothes, which could get wet and cold. After leaving Gjoa Haven, they continued west. On August 17, 1905, the ship finally cleared the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. They had to stop for another winter before reaching Nome, Alaska on the Pacific coast. Amundsen traveled 500 miles (800 km) overland to send a telegram on December 5, announcing his success. Amundsen learned that Norway had become an independent country with a new king, Haakon VII. He sent the king a message saying that sailing the Northwest Passage was "a great achievement for Norway." The crew returned to Oslo in November 1906, after almost three and a half years away. The *Gjøa* ship was later returned to Norway in 1972. It is now displayed inside its own building at the Fram Museum in Oslo. ### Race to the South Pole ![Aan de Zuidpool - p1913-160](https://sprout.rootsofreason.org/media/kiddle-roald-amundsen-bc77aafc7f.jpg) Norwegian flag at the South Pole Amundsen's next plan was to go to the North Pole. But in 1909, he heard that two Americans, Frederick Cook and Robert Peary, claimed to have already reached the North Pole. So, Amundsen secretly changed his plans and decided to go to Antarctica instead. He didn't tell everyone, which surprised Robert F. Scott, who was also planning a South Pole trip. Amundsen left Oslo on June 3, 1910, on the ship *Fram*. When he reached Madeira, he told his crew they were heading to Antarctica. He also sent a telegram to Scott, letting him know. Six months later, on January 14, 1911, the expedition arrived at the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica. They set up their main camp, which Amundsen called *Framheim*. Amundsen chose to wear Inuit-style fur clothes instead of the heavy wool clothing used by other explorers. Amundsen and his men used skis and dog sleds to travel. They set up supply depots at 80°, 81°, and 82° South, directly towards the Pole. Amundsen also planned to use some of his dogs for fresh meat for the remaining dogs and for the men. A small group tried to start the journey on September 8, but the weather was too cold. This caused an argument, and Amundsen sent some men to explore another area. A second attempt began on October 19, with a team of five: Olav Bjaaland, Helmer Hanssen, Sverre Hassel, Oscar Wisting, and Amundsen. They took four sledges and 52 dogs. They used a new route along the Axel Heiberg Glacier. After a four-day climb, they reached the Polar Plateau on November 21. The team and 16 dogs arrived at the South Pole on December 14, 1911. This was a month before Scott's group. Amundsen named their South Pole camp Polheim. They left a small tent and a letter to show they had been there, in case they didn't make it back safely. The team returned to Framheim on January 25, 1912, with 11 dogs still alive. They left Antarctica and traveled to Hobart, Australia. Amundsen announced his success to the world on March 7, 1912. Amundsen's expedition was successful because he planned very carefully. He had good equipment, the right clothes, and understood how to work with dogs and skis. Unlike Scott's difficult journey, Amundsen's trip was smooth and successful. ## North Polar Expeditions ### The Northeast Passage by Ship ![Polarskipet Maud](https://sprout.rootsofreason.org/media/kiddle-roald-amundsen-5ad77b7bee.jpg) *Maud* in June 1918 In 1918, Amundsen started a new expedition with a ship called *Maud*. This journey lasted until 1925. The *Maud* sailed carefully through the ice from west to east, through the Northeast Passage. Oscar Wisting and Helmer Hanssen, who had been with him to the South Pole, were also on this trip. ## Picture credits - Anonymous Unknown author, Public domain () - Frederick Cook, Public domain () - Ludwik Szaciński, Public domain () - Olav Bjaaland (1873–1961), Public domain () - Anders Beer Wilse (1865 - 1949), Public domain ()