We have thus taken observations as near to the Pole as was humanly possible with the instruments at our disposal.  We had a sextant and artificial horizon calculated for a radius of 8 kilometres.

On December 17 we were ready to go.  We raised on the spot a little circular tent, and planted above it the Norwegian flag and the Fram’s pennant.  The Norwegian camp at the South Pole was given the name of “Polheim.”  The distance from our winter quarters to the Pole was about 870 English miles, so that we had covered on an average 15 1/2 miles a day.

We began the return journey on December 17.  The weather was unusually favourable, and this made our return considerably easier than the march to the Pole.  We arrived at “Framheim,” our winter quarters, in January, 1912, with two sledges and eleven dogs, all well.  On the homeward journey we covered an average of 22 1/2 miles a day.  The lowest temperature we observed on this trip was -24deg.  F., and the highest +23deg.  F.

The principal result —­ besides the attainment of the Pole —­ is the determination of the extent and character of the Ross Barrier.  Next to this, the discovery of a connection between South Victoria Land and, probably, King Edward VII.  Land through their continuation in huge mountain-ranges, which run to the south-east and were seen as far south as lat. 88deg. 8’, but which in all probability are continued right across the Antarctic Continent.  We gave the name of “Queen Maud’s Mountains” to the whole range of these newly discovered mountains, about 530 miles in length.

The expedition to King Edward VII.  Land, under Lieutenant Prestrud, has achieved excellent results.  Scott’s discovery was confirmed, and the examination of the Bay of Whales and the Ice Barrier, which the party carried out, is of great interest.  Good geological collections have been obtained from King Edward VII.  Land and South Victoria Land.

The Fram arrived at the Bay of Whales on January 9, having been delayed in the “Roaring Forties " by easterly winds.

On January 16 the Japanese expedition arrived at the Bay of Whales, and landed on the Barrier near our winter quarters.

We left the Bay of Whales on January 30.  We had a long voyage on account of contrary wind.

We are all in the best of health.

Roald Amundsen.

Hobart,

March 8, 1912.

Introduction

When the explorer comes home victorious, everyone goes out to cheer him.  We are all proud of his achievement —­ proud on behalf of the nation and of humanity.  We think it is a new feather in our cap, and one we have come by cheaply.

How many of those who join in the cheering were there when the expedition was fitting out, when it was short of bare necessities, when support and assistance were most urgently wanted?  Was there then any race to be first?  At such a time the leader has usually found himself almost alone; too often he has had to confess that his greatest difficulties were those he had to overcome at home before he could set sail.  So it was with Columbus, and so it has been with many since his time.