Roald Amundsen

Hi Stagers!

𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗹𝗱 𝗔𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝗻: 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗿. 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗿. 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿.

Roald Amundsen's story is a testament to the power of preparation and the ability to adapt. Born in 1872, Amundsen was a Norwegian explorer whose success, particularly as the first person to lead an expedition to the South Pole, was not due to brute force or luck.

What set him apart was his openness to learning from others and his meticulous planning. Amundsen studied survival techniques from the Inuit people, adopting their methods, which played a significant role in his expedition's success in one of the harshest environments on Earth.

Amundsen's journey shows that success comes not only from persistence but from the ability to learn from those who have mastered the conditions before you. His life is a reminder of the importance of adapting and constantly learning as we pursue our own goals. As Amundsen said himself:

“The secret to success lies in careful preparation.”

Amundsen’s triumphs weren’t just due to sheer determination but to his willingness to learn, adapt, and thrive in the face of adversity. Here’s a glimpse into his remarkable life and how he did what he did.

𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗘 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬

Amundsen’s adaptability was key to his success. After his original plans to reach the North Pole were thwarted, he shifted focus and turned his attention to the South Pole. His greatest asset was his ability to learn from those who came before him, studying Inuit techniques like using dog sleds and wearing furs for protection.

He meticulously planned every detail of his journey, knowing that adaptability would mean the difference between life and death. As he once said:

“Victory awaits those who have everything in order.”

By relying on efficient strategies and embracing new ways of thinking, Amundsen ensured his team’s safety and became the first to reach the South Pole in 1911. He also reflected on the pioneers who came before him, saying:

“We must always remember with gratitude and admiration the first sailors who steered their vessels through storms and mists, and increased our knowledge of the lands of ice in the South.”

To learn more about his extraordinary life, consider watching this short biography.

Roald Amundsen and the Golden Age of Arctic Exploration | Mossback's Northwest

𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗘 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘

Childhood + Adolescence

1872 (Age 0): Roald Amundsen is born in Borge, Norway, to a family of shipowners and captains. He is the youngest of four brothers, and his father, Jens Engeberth Amundsen, is a wealthy shipping business tycoon.
1880s (Ages 8-18): Despite receiving the best education money could buy, Roald did not excel academically, often receiving barely passing grades. However, it was during his schooling that he read about John Franklin's expedition to the Northwest Passage, sparking his lifelong fascination with polar exploration.
1890s (Ages 18-22): Amundsen begins studying medicine as per his mother’s wishes, but after her death in 1893, he abandons medicine to pursue his passion for polar exploration.

Young Adulthood

1897 (Age 25): Amundsen embarks on his first polar expedition after joining the Belgian Antarctic Expedition as first mate aboard the Belgica. When the ship becomes trapped in ice, the crew is forced to winter in Antarctica—the first time humans had survived such a feat. Amundsen adapts to the extreme conditions by learning survival techniques from the ship’s doctor, Frederick Cook, which greatly influenced his later expeditions.
1903-1906 (Age 31-34): Amundsen leads the first successful navigation of the Northwest Passage aboard the Gjøa,, demonstrating his ability to adapt and use Inuit survival methods, including dog sledding and wearing fur clothing.

Middle Adulthood

1909 (Age 37): After learning that both the North Pole and South Pole are being pursued by other explorers, Amundsen shifts his focus entirely to the South Pole, keeping his intentions secret until his ship, the Fram, was well underway.
1911 (Age 39): Amundsen and his team become the first to reach the South Pole on December 14th, beating British explorer Robert Falcon Scott by a month. His success is largely attributed to his careful planning, use of dogs, and survival techniques learned from the Inuit people.
1912 (Age 40): After his South Pole victory, Amundsen continues exploring and lecturing around the world. He faces financial difficulties as polar exploration was costly and funding was always a challenge. His financial struggles would persist for much of his life.
1925 (Age 53): Amundsen attempts to reach the North Pole by air but is forced to turn back due to poor conditions. Despite the setback, his persistence and resilience remained strong.

Later Years

1926 (Age 54): Amundsen, along with Umberto Nobile, successfully flies over the North Pole in the airship Norge, becoming the first person to reach both the North and South Poles by air and land. This expedition cements his legacy as one of the greatest explorers of all time.
1927 (Age 55): Amundsen retires from active exploration but remained involved in polar research and lecturing.
1928 (Age 55): Amundsen embarks on a rescue mission to save fellow explorer Umberto Nobile, who had crashed his airship in the Arctic. During the mission, Amundsen’s plane disappears over the Barents Sea, and he is presumed dead. His body is never found, but his legacy as one of the most remarkable polar explorers in history lives on.
2019 (91 years posthumously): The Norwegian biographical drama "Amundsen" is released, directed by Espen Sandberg. The film explores Roald Amundsen's life, polar expeditions, rivalry with Robert Falcon Scott, and his legacy as the first person to reach both the North and South Poles. It also covers his mysterious disappearance in 1928 during a rescue mission.

𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧

Roald Amundsen’s life reminds us that success isn’t just about pushing forward—it’s about knowing when to adapt and learn from others. His willingness to embrace new ideas, adjust to changing circumstances, and prepare meticulously allowed him to achieve what others could not. He once remarked:

“There can be no courage unless you are scared.”

Amundsen’s story teaches us that while we can’t always predict the challenges we’ll face, we can always prepare for them and adapt our approach. Whether it's in exploration or everyday life, success comes to those who are flexible, innovative, and ready to learn. As he wisely said:

"Adventure is just bad planning."

Interestingly, Amundsen never married and had no children. His life was deeply focused on exploration, and he sacrificed personal relationships for his adventurous pursuits. Known as a private and solitary individual, Amundsen faced the physical tolls of polar exploration, including frostbite and exhaustion, demonstrating incredible endurance throughout his later years.

His life also reminds us that each of us defines what success looks like to us. For Amundsen, success was about exploration, discovery, and achieving the impossible—even if it meant sacrificing personal relationships. His journey encourages us to reflect on what success means in our own lives and pursue it with determination, adaptability, and a willingness to learn.

W𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲? Subscribe. 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽? Reach out.

Wishing you + yours a lovely day,

Fondly,

Jen Forsman

Founder, Stagefully

Helping You Imagine Stagefully