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POLAR EXPLORATION

POLAR EXPLORATION

and reached Etah, Greenland, August 8. It passed the winter at Cape Sheridan, engaged in hunting trips and pushing supplies to Cape Columbia where a supply depot was estat> lished. Leaving the Roosevelt a start was made for the Pole by dog train on Feb. 15, 1909, the expedition being divided into six lections jvhich started on successive days. The entire expedition comprised 7 white

At 87° 48' the fourth and last supporting party turned back under command of Capt. Bartlett of the Roosevelt. Peary, now the only remaining white man, with Hensen, the Negro who had been with him on a former expedition, and four Eskimos now pushed forward with all possible speed. Conditions were favorable, the ice comparatively free from obstacles, the temperature rose to 15®

ROUTES  OP  THE   DISCOVERERS   OP  THE   POLES

men, to Eskimos, 140 dogs and 23 sledges. From Gape Columbia the course was due north over the ice. Sections of the expedition were sent back from time to time, reducing the outfit with the advance northward. Prof. Ross G. Marvin of Cornell University, who turned back at 86° 38' in charge of the third supporting party, was drowned April to, when 45 miles north of Cape Columbia.

below zero, and' rapid progress was made. A march of thirty miles was recorded on the last day. At last on April 6 the Pole was reached. Here thirty hours were spent in taking observations, taking photographs, planting flags etc. The return trip was over the trail that had been made. Cape Columbia was reached on April 23, and the Roosevelt at Cape Sheridan four days later.