The expedition had attempted to overfly the North Pole in a hydrogen balloon, but was forced down on the pack ice about 300 kilometres (190 mi) north of Kvitøya on July 14, less than three days after their launch.
A expedición intentara sobrevoar o Polo Norte nun globo de hidróxeno, pero viuse forzado a baixar sobre a banquisa a 300 km ao norte de Kvitøxa o 14 de xullo, menos de tres días despois do seu lanzamento.