Ny-Ålesund

Amundsen gets off the train at Kolbotn, a tactic he often uses to avoid the journalists waiting for him in Oslo. But "a reporter sniffed out the trail and managed to catch me," he writes in his diary.

A journalist from Tidens Tegn visits Amundsen at his home on Uranienborg. They talk about life, the plans, and the upcoming expedition.

The journalist is particularly interested in the expedition's financial savior.

The next few days are both calm and hectic at home with Roald Amundsen.

In his diary, he writes, among other things:"

What Amundsen refers to as 'my supporters' is the Norwegian Aero Club. Founded in 1909, it merged with the Norwegian Aviation Federation and the Norwegian Aeromodelling Club in 1923

A farewell party is being held in the Rococo Hall at the Grand Hotel. Ellsworth arrived in Norway the day before, and now he sits, immaculately dressed, alongside members of the Aero Club, representatives from the Ministry of Defense, the navy, and others.

Ellsworth is appointed an honorary member of the Air Navigation Association. He rises to give a speech, but soon realizes that all is not as it should be."

The next day, Ellsworth and Amundsen board the train to Trondheim, from where they continue by ship north to Tromsø.

At the same time, the seaplanes are on their way from Italy. They are transported to Narvik, where they are transferred to the cargo ship Hobby

In Tromsø, Amundsen does something that will cause division and arguments for years to come. He writes a will.

Later, he made several changes. He removed his brothers and named his sister-in-law as his sole heir. But that would come later — now, he was preparing for the journey further north, toward Svalbard and Ny-Ålesund.

On April 9, the expedition left Tromsø. On board the Hobby, the flying boats lay disassembled. The vessel was fully loaded. Several people were concerned. Amundsen later wrote:

Amundsen, Ellsworth, and several others head north aboard the naval vessel Farm. The plan is for the ships to travel together, but they soon lose sight of each other. After four days, Farm arrives in Ny-Ålesund. The next day, Hobby sails into Kongsfjorden, and the work of unloading and getting everything ashore begins

The team works intensely to prepare the aircraft, while meteorologists Jacob Bjerknes and Ernst G. Calwagen begin studying conditions to determine the best time for departure.

Even though the expedition's goal is the North Pole, Roald Amundsen still has a desire to fly across the entire Polar Sea.

On April 28, he gathers Riiser-Larsen, Dietrichson, and Ellsworth for a meeting. 

At the time of departure, however, the mood seems to be generally good.  In N 25 Amundsen, Riiser-Larsen, and Feucht will fly, while in N 24, Omdal, Ellsworth, and Dietrichson will be on board.

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The seaplanes are ready. They are overloaded by half a ton. The weather is good. The engines start. The expedition begins.