Polar Pathways: Robert E. Peary's Arctic Expeditions
About the 1898-1902 Expedition
As a result of their previous trips to the Arctic, Peary and his companions gained considerable acclaim. Now the discovery of the North Pole was no longer an impossible feat, but instead looming just around the corner. Determined to capture the Pole, Peary again set out for Greenland. During the 1898-1902 expedition, Peary forced the vessel northward and all the way up to Fort Conger. In 1902, Peary set out for the North Pole, but only reached the point of 84 degrees North. Though the accomplishment was a significant one, Peary was disappointed. Accordingly, Peary’s reports of the 1898-1902 expeditions are noticeably short-- Peary probably was disheartened by what he regarded as a failure. Nevertheless, the voyages, by boat and by sledge, served as important learning experiences, readying Peary and Henson for journeys yet to come. Quotes in this section are taken from Nearest the Pole, published in 1907.
