The First Crossing of Greenland

by Nansen, Fridtjof

• ISBN13: 9780898753776
• ISBN10: 0898753775
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-06-01
• Publisher: Lightning Source Inc

Summary

In 1988 Fridtjob Nansen embarked on a journey of exploration so audacious that it attracted almost universal ridicule. Described by one critic as 'absolute recklessness', Nansen's plan involved approaching Greenland's eastern coast through treacherous ice floes before crossing the vast expanse of inland ice by sledge and ski. However, in large part due to Nansen's detailed planning, this expedition, unlike eight previous attempts, was a resounding success. Even Greenland's Eskimos regared his achievement with awe, and Nansen received a hero's welcome when he returned to Oslo.
This edition of Nansen's own account has been newly edited and contains a large number of illustrations, including photographs taken on the expedition which now form part of the National Library of Norway's Fridtjof Nansen Archive. It is a remarkable record of the expedition that confirmed Nansen as one of the greatest Arctic explorers of all time.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 1
The Equipment	p. 21
"Ski" and "Skilobning"	p. 48
The Voyage to Iceland	p. 68
Cruising in the Ice	p. 78
The Bladder-Nose Seal and its Capture	p. 91
Attempt to Land--Drifting in the Ice	p. 105
Still Drifting	p. 125
The East Coast of Greenland	p. 147
The East Coast--an Eskimo Encampment	p. 163
The East Coast--Another Stage Northwards	p. 191
The East Coast--Further Dealings with the Eskimo	p. 209
Our Last Encampment on the East Coast	p. 228
Our Start for the West Coast--The Ascent of the Ice	p. 243
The Crossing of the "Inland Ice"--We Change Our Course for Godthaab--Some Features of the Climate and the Snow	p. 267
The Crossing of the "Inland Ice"--A Storm in the Interior--Our Domestic Life	p. 287
The Crossing of the "Inland Ice"--The First Sight of Land and First Drink of Water	p. 302
The Crossing of the "Inland Ice"--The Descent to Ameralikfjord	p. 321
Our Voyage, and Arrival at Godthaab	p. 350
Waiting in Ameralikfjord	p. 375
Winter Quarters at Godthaab	p. 389
First Lessons in the "Kayak"	p. 402
Christmas at Godthaab	p. 410
Sardlok and Kangek--Notes from My Diary	p. 417
Further Attempts on the "Inland Ice"--The Ship the Ship!--The Voyage Home	p. 434
Index	p. 448
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