Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
137
Figure 5.3. Map of the Axel
Heiberg area showing
Amundsen's route through
the mountains. Campsites
are indicated with dots.
for reconnaissance. They headed toward the closest rock, a tiny nunatak about 1¾ miles
south of camp that was named Mount Betty, for Amundsen's housekeeper and childhood
nursemaid (Fig. 5.4). When they were abreast of it, they split to the west for another three
or four miles, ascending over an undulating terrain that headed in small glaciers several
thousand feet above at the crest of these foothills. Although it meant a very stiV climb up
to a pass, the Norwegians were unwavering in their continued choice of the direct route
south.
Their descent back to camp was a gleeful run on skis. When they passed Mount
Betty, Amundsen and Bjaaland skied over for a look. Snow reached almost to the top,
where they took oV their skis and had but a little climbing on bedrock to reach its crest.
This was the only landfall of the entire expedition. The rock was dark and rubbly, form-
ing loose scree. After relaxing on the outcrop, the men “photographed each other in 'pic-
turesque attitudes,' [and] took a few stones for those who had not yet set foot on bare
earth.” But Amundsen relates that these pieces of rock failed to impress the others back at
camp. “I could hear such words as, 'Norway—stones—heaps of them,' and I was able to
 
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