Norwegian explorer, Roald Amundsen (1872-1928), led the first expedition to the South Pole and is regarded as one of the greatest figures in polar exploration. In a personal “Race to the Pole” against Robert Scott and his British research team, Amundsen left Norway in 1910 aboard the ship, Fram, after making covert preparations that even included an unwillingness for his crew to know their destination. The team sailed to the Bay of Whales where he successfully established a base with four of his companions. The group reached the South Pole on December 14, 1911 and after conducting field research, safely returned to base on January 25, 1912. Upon their departure from the pole, Amundsen left a note with the names of his party inside their erected tent addressed to the King of Norway, asking Scott to kindly send it along.