Roald Amundsen

Roald Amundsen was a Norwegian explorer. He was born near Oslo, Norway, in 1872. He was the first person to reach the South Pole. He was also the first to sail through the Northwest Passage connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Early Life

Amundsen was inspired by explorers from a young age. His mother wanted him to be a doctor, but he loved adventure. He trained himself by sleeping with his windows open in freezing weather. He joined expeditions to the Arctic as a young man.

Big Achievements

Amundsen sailed through the Northwest Passage from 1903 to 1906. Then he set his sights on the South Pole. He raced British explorer Robert Scott and reached the South Pole first on December 14, 1911. He used sled dogs and careful planning to succeed.

Fun Facts

• Amundsen used sled dogs while his rival Scott used ponies, which did not work as well in the snow.
• He learned survival skills from the Inuit people of the Arctic.
• He disappeared in 1928 while trying to rescue another explorer in the Arctic.

Did You Know?

Amundsen beat Robert Scott to the South Pole by about five weeks. Scott and his team all died on their way back. Amundsen's careful planning and use of dog sleds made the difference.