Hjalmar Johansen Norwegian polar explorer Date of Birth: 15.05.1867 Country: Norway

1. Biography of Yalmar Johansen
2. Expeditions with Nansen
3. Published Work
4. Post-Expedition Life
5. Further Expeditions and Conflict with Amundsen
6. Conflict with Amundsen and Tragic End

Biography of Yalmar Johansen

Yalmar Johansen, a Norwegian polar explorer, was born in 1871. He gained recognition as a lieutenant in the Norwegian cavalry army and became the champion of Norway in long-distance skiing races in 1892.

Expeditions with Nansen

Johansen joined the polar expedition led by Fridtjof Nansen aboard the ship "Fram" from 1893 to 1896. Initially hired as a stoker due to the lack of available positions, he also fulfilled the role of a meteorologist during the drift. Together with Nansen, he embarked on a journey to the North Pole on sledges on March 14, 1895. They spent the winter from August 28, 1895, to May 19, 1896, in a stone cave at Cape Norway on Jackson Island in the Franz Josef Land archipelago.

Published Work

Johansen wrote a book about his participation in the expedition titled "Selv-anden på 86° 14'" (Self and Other at 86 degrees 14 minutes), published in 1898. The book detailed their experiences during the expedition.

Post-Expedition Life

After returning from the expedition, Johansen attained the rank of infantry captain. However, he struggled to readjust to civilized society and battled alcoholism, as mentioned in the memoirs of Liv Heyerdahl, Nansen's daughter.

Further Expeditions and Conflict with Amundsen

Johansen participated in an expedition to Spitsbergen from 1907 to 1909. He documented his experiences in a diary, which was published in 2002. In 1910 to 1912, he joined Roald Amundsen's expedition to Antarctica. However, due to a conflict with Amundsen, he was not included in the polar team. Johansen took part in a smaller journey to King Edward VII Land under the leadership of Lieutenant Prestrud in the summer of 1911.

Conflict with Amundsen and Tragic End

Johansen's relationship with Amundsen deteriorated, and he left the "Fram" in Tasmania, returning to Norway separately from the rest of the team. He published several articles in the Norwegian press that criticized Amundsen, although Amundsen himself described their relationship neutrally in his book about the expedition. Tragically, on January 9, 1913, at the age of 45, Johansen took his own life.