There are actually five different North Poles.
1. When not otherwise qualified, the term North Pole usually refers to the Geographic North Pole – the northernmost point on the surface of the Earth, where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects the Earth's surface.
2. The North Magnetic Pole – the point on the Earth's surface where the Earth's magnetic field points directly downwards. This pole is constantly wandering; its estimated 2005 position was 82.7° N 114.4° W.
3. The North Geomagnetic Pole – the point of intersection of the Earth's surface with the axis of a simple magnetic dipole (like a bar magnet) that best approximates the Earth's actual more complex magnetic field. Like the North Magnetic Pole it constantly wanders; as of 2005 it was located at approximately 79.74° N 71.78° W.
4. The Northern Pole of Inaccessibility – the point in the Arctic Ocean farthest from land, at 84°03′N 174°51′W.
5. The North Celestial Pole – an imaginary point in the northern sky towards which the Earth's axis of rotation points.
Most people are talking about North Pole #1, though, when they refer to it--so that's what i'm going with for your answer, okay?
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So how many people have reached the North Pole? For centuries, countless explorers, servicemen, scientists and tourists have attempted to reach the North Pole. Methods of travel have included ships, balloons, aircraft, dog-sleds, skidoos and even a motorbike, as well as the arduous business of sledge-hauling. More expeditions have failed than succeeded, and it is estimated that only 72 people have reached the North Pole from the coast by surface traverse.
The above was as of 1996. Things have changed since then in a BIG way. Heck, today you can book an adventure tour there and back--and have gourmet food cooked for you nightly by your guides. For example:
1. North Pole Adventures: Ski, dogsled or fly to the North Pole! From US $17,500
http://www.polarexplorers.com/?gclid=CPKwvsyayogCFTROGAodvgHgmA
2. Rannoch Adventures: North Pole Icebreaker Expedition - 15 days - From US $ 20,500 - Meeting place in Moscow, Russia
http://www.rannochadventures.com/t,s/225,152,info/North-Pole-Icebreakers-North-Pole-Icebreaker-Expedition.html?campaign=north_pole&gclid=CNWdmqKoyogCFSUqYAodfGpMBA
3. iExplore North Pole Expedition Gold
It is known that many fewer people have set foot on the Geographic North Pole than on the peak of Mt. Everest. Now, become a member of this very exclusive Polar Club, explorers who have traveled to the ends of the earth! From US $18,400
http://www.iexplore.com/travel/result/47137
Here are a few highlights of those who have made it to the Geographic North Pole. You can do some digging (see my list of sources below as a place to start) if you want more. Otherwise, you might try googling " "North Pole" successful expeditions " if you want others.
1. First (disputed) expedition to the geographic North Pole: Robert Edwin Peary and his employee Matthew Henson and four Inuit men Ootah, Seegloo, Egingway, and Ooqueah. April 9, 1909
2. First people to sight it: Roald Amundsen and his sponsor Lincoln Ellsworth from an aircraft piloted by Umberto Nobile, between 11 May and 13 May 1926
3. First people to reach it: Lt. Col. Joseph O. Fletcher and Lt. William P. Benedict landed their plane. May 3, 1952
4. First naval vessel to reach it: the USS Skate (SSN-578). March 17, 1959
5. First to reach the North Pole by surface travel: team led by Sir Wally Herbert. 1968-69
6. First (confirmed) surface conquest: Ralph Plaisted. April 19, 1968
7. First reigning monarch to reach it: Albert II, Prince of Monaco. Easter Sunday, 16 April 2006
8. The United States Navy submarine USS Nautilus (SSN-571) crossed the North Pole on August 3, 1958, and on March 17, 1959, the USS Skate (SSN-578) surfaced at the pole, becoming the first naval vessel to reach it.
9. The Soviet nuclear powered icebreaker Arktika completed the first surface vessel journey to the North Pole on August 17, 1977.
10. In 2005, the United States Navy submarine USS Charlotte (SSN-766) surfaced through 61 inches of ice at the North Pole and spent 18 hours there.
11. Louise Arner Boyd (1887-1972), known as the "ice woman," was an American who repeatedly explored and photographed the Arctic Ocean; she was also the first woman to fly over the North Pole.
12. Sir James Clark Ross (1800 - 1862) was a British explorer and naval officer. Ross and his uncle, Sir John Ross, located the north magnetic pole on Boothia Peninsula (in northern Canada, north of King William Island) on May 31--June 1, 1831.
13. Curtis Lieber, April 10-28 1997, Participated the first American Expedition team to fly a Hot Air Balloon over the North Pole, via Siberia.
14. 2006. Richard Weber guided Conrad Dickinson to the North Pole from Ward Hunt Island. The pair was unsupported, used snowshoes rather than traditional skis. The journey made Conrad only the 14th person to successfully travel unsupported to the Pole. This was Richard’s fifth full trek to the Pole. They achieved the second best time ever of 52.5 days. Not bad for a couple of guys aged 46 and 50!
15. 1995. First and only confirmed journey to the North Pole and return using only human resources. Richard Weber with companion Misha Malakhov became the first to reach the North Pole and return to their starting point on land, with no outside help, no dogs, air planes, or re-supplies.
And on and on and on...
2006-11-15 11:58:56
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answer #1
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answered by Sebille 3
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