Monday, 11 September 1911

Amundsen

It was so cold that the liquid in the compasses froze, making them useless, and there was no sun to steer by. They stopped after only four miles and built two igloos, not wanting to repeat the previous night's experience in a tent. The temperature was -52° C, with wind and fog.

"The Chief's mood is at freezing point," observed Bjaaland, "and he took the decision to turn for home, and just as well, otherwise we would have frozen to death." [1]

"To risk men and animals out of sheer obstinacy and continue," Amundsen wrote in his diary, "just because we have started on our way -- that would never occur to me. If we are to win this game, the pieces must be moved carefully -- one false move, and everything can be lost." [2]

"Let that be a lesson to start so early on such a long and important journey," grumbled Johansen. "One cannot think exclusively about the one thing; to get to the Pole before the English." [3]

Amundsen insisted, though, that they would go on to the depot at 80° some miles ahead, to dump their loads and be able to travel light when they did start for the Pole.

"The igloo was nice and warm," added Bjaaland philosophically, "unlike the tent which was full of rime frost. Sleeping bags and clothes are wet through; in fact stiff as iron, but when one has finally got into them, one just has to stay there. God help me it was just shit and best forgotten." [4]


Notes:

[1] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 12 September, 1911, quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.408.
[2] Roald Amundsen, diary, 12 September, 1911, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.42.
[3] Hjalmar Johansen, diary, [date not given], quoted by Roland Huntford in Scott and Amundsen (New York : Putnam, 1980, c1979), p.408.
[4] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 12 September, 1911, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.42.