The First Crossing of Greenland 2 Volume Set

In this 1890 publication Fridtjof Nansen recounts the first successful crossing of the interior of Greenland.

Fridtjof Nansen (Author), Hubert Majendie Gepp (Translated by)

9781108031110, Cambridge University Press

Multiple-component retail product, published 20 May 2011

1114 pages, 162 b/w illus. 5 maps
21.6 x 14 x 6.5 cm, 1.41 kg

First published in English in 1890, this book by Norwegian explorer and scientist Fridtjof Nansen (1861–1930) recounts the first crossing of the Greenland interior in 1888, an expedition that took two months. Learning from previous failed attempts, Nansen suggested crossing from the uninhabited east to the inhabited west of Greenland, an innovation that proved successful. Nansen's account was translated by Hubert Majendie Gepp and includes an introduction written by J. Scott Keltie, secretary of the Royal Geographical Society. Volume 1 describes the initial stages of the journey including detailed descriptions of the equipment, methods used for crossing the ice and the arrival of the party on the East coast of Greenland. Volume 2 begins with the party leaving the East coast for the West, including lengthy descriptions of the climate and encounters with Inuit peoples, and includes an appendix of the scientific discoveries of the expedition.

Volume 1: Introduction J. Scott Keltie
Preface
1. Introduction
2. The equipment
3. 'Ski' and 'skilöbning'
4. The voyage to Iceland
5. Cruising in the ice
6. The bladder-nose seal and its capture
7. Life on the 'Jason'
8. Attempt to land - drifting in the ice
9. Still drifting
10. The ice-belt of the east coast of Greenland, and some account of previous attempts to penetrate it
11. The east coast of Greenland
12. The east coast - an Eskimo encampment
13. The east coast - another stage northwards
14. The east coast - further dealings with the Eskimo
15. Our last encampment on the east coast
16. Previous attempts at exploration of the 'inland ice'. Volume 2: 17. Our start for the west coast - the ascent of the ice
18. The crossing of the 'Inland Ice' - we change our course for Godthaab - some features of the climate and the snow
19. The crossing of the 'Inland Ice' - a storm in the interior - our domestic life
20. The crossing of the 'Inland Ice' - the first sight of land and first drink of water
21. The crossing of the 'Inland Ice' - the descent to Ameralikfjord
22. Our voyage, and arrival at Godthaab
23. Waiting in Ameralikfjord
24. An Eskimo narrative
25. Winter-quarters at Godthaab
26. The Eskimo of Greenland
27. A shooting trip to Ameralikfjord
28. First lessons in the 'kayak'
29. Christmas at Godthaab
30. Sardlok and Kangek - notes from my diary
31. Further attempts on the 'Inland Ice' - the ship! the ship! - the voyage home
Appendix. The scientific results of the expedition and some considerations suggested thereby
Index.

Subject Areas: Historical geography [HBTP]