1 September 1909 - Amundsen Changes Direction

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Roald Amundsen always dreamt of becoming a great polar explorer. His native Norway led the world in polar exploration, thanks to the exploits of explorers Fridtjof Nansen and Carsten Borchgrevink.

Amundsen hoped to be the first man to reach the North Pole. To gain polar experience, he went on a Belgian expedition to Antarctica in 1896. Many among the crew succumbed to scurvy and madness, teaching the young Norwegian a lesson in leadership under such extreme conditions.

In 1903, Amundsen led the first expedition to navigate the elusive Northwest Passage - the sea route from the North Atlantic to the Pacific. During his years in the Arctic, valuable survival skills were learnt from the local Netsilik people.

Amundsen now felt confident enough to tackle the North Pole. But with his departure only months away, Amundsen’s dreams were shattered. On 1 September 1909, he read in the newspaper that Dr Frederick Cook had reached the Pole.

Amundsen decided to secretly change his plans and head for the still-unconquered South Pole. This would place Amundsen in direct competition with the British expedition being led by Robert Falcon Scott. Amundsen kept his intentions hidden, for fear of losing precious funding and support. It was not until he was on his way that Amundsen announced to his men, and to the world, the true nature of his mission - to reach the South Pole.

Click to view the lesson plan - Explorers of Antarctica