Sverre Hassel

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Sverre Helge Hassel (1876 - 1928) was a Norwegian polar explorer and one of the first five people to reach the South Pole.

Sverre Hassel was born in Oslo, and as soon as he was old enough, he went to sea, earning his mate's certificate. Between 1898 and 1902, Hassel participated in Otto Sverdrup's attempt to circumnavigate Greenland.

Along with Helmer Hanssen, Hassel was picked as an expert dog driver to take part in Roald Amundsen's South Pole expedition 1910 - 1912. On December 14, 1911, he, Amundsen, Hanssen, Olav Bjaaland and Oscar Wisting were the first to reach the South Pole.

In later life, he moved to Grimstad and worked as a customs officer. Sverre Hassel died in 1928 while visiting his old friend Amundsen.