Is the journey really the destination?
Did you know that Lewis and Clark never reached their original goal?
The spirit of exploration and the drive for immortality have long driven Americans to venture into the unknown, across continents, into polar ice, and over vast oceans. But, while many achieved greatness, some of the most compelling stories come from those who did not meet their original goals.. Did you know about these 10 examples?
Image: Sam Mgrdichian
1
Lewis and Clark (1804–1806)
Everybody knows about Lewis and Clark and their glorious quest across the nation, but what most don’t know is that they originally set out to find a continuous water route, the fabled Northwest Passage, from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. Commissioned by President Jefferson, the journey was meant to open up western trade routes.
Although they reached the Pacific, they confirmed that no such navigable waterway existed. Their journey was a landmark of exploration, but their primary goal remained unaccomplished .
Image: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
2
Lady Franklin Bay Expedition (1881–1884)
The 1881 Adolphus Greely-led expedition aimed to establish a scientific research station in the high Arctic and gather meteorological and astronomical data as part of the First International Polar Year.
But two relief ships failed to reach them due to ice. Stranded for over two years, only 7 of 25 men survived. While some data was collected, the mission was a logistical and human failure .
Image: David BP
3
Frederick A. Cook (1908)
American explorer Frederick Cook claimed he reached the North Pole in 1908, beating Robert Peary by a year. His announcement stirred immediate controversy and public excitement.
However, Cook failed to provide verifiable proof, and his claim was largely discredited . He also falsely claimed the first ascent of Denali. His goals, while grand, were never validated .
Image: Roxanne Desgagnés
4
Amelia Earhart (1937)
Amelia Earhart sought to be the first woman to fly around the world along the equator. Her journey was a bold attempt to push the limits of aviation and global navigation.
Tragically, she vanished over the Pacific near Howland Island. Despite massive search efforts, neither she nor her plane was found. Her historic goal remains unfulfilled .
Image: Shaun Bell
5
USS Jeannette Expedition (1879–1881)
The Jeannette Expedition set out to reach the North Pole via the Bering Strait, based on a theory that a warm current could carry ships through the ice.
Instead, the ship was trapped and crushed by ice. The crew made a desperate trek across Siberia, with many dying from exposure and starvation. The pole was never reached , and the voyage ended in tragedy.
Image: Hector John Periquin
6
Crocker Land Expedition (1913–1917)
Backed by Robert Peary’s reports, this expedition aimed to locate "Crocker Land," a supposed Arctic landmass seen on a prior voyage.
After weeks of travel, they discovered it was a mirage. The team was stranded for years due to failed rescue attempts. Their quest failed because the land never existed .
Image: Annie Spratt
7
American Karakoram Expedition (1953)
Led by Charles Houston, the expedition aimed to be the first to summit K2, the world’s second-highest mountain after Everest. The team climbed high and established advanced camps.
Trapped by a severe storm, they made a heroic retreat. One climber died, and the summit remained out of reach . Their attempt was noble, but ultimately unsuccessful.
Image: Daniel Born
8
Ziegler Polar Expedition (1903–1905)
The abundance of Arctic expeditions on this list is not a coincidence. This area is tough to traverse, and much of it remains unknown. This particular expedition sought to reach the North Pole via Franz Josef Land. The crew wintered in the Arctic with supplies and dogs for the attempt.
Severe ice and harsh conditions thwarted their progress. They were stranded for two years and never neared the pole. Though most survived, the mission failed in its main goal .
Image: ArcticDesire.com Polarreisen
9
Zebulon Pike (1805)
In 1805, Army officer Zebulon Pike was tasked with exploring the headwaters of the Mississippi River. The goal was to identify its true source and assert U.S. presence in the newly acquired Louisiana Territory.
Facing poor maps, freezing conditions, and supply shortages, Pike never reached the actual source . Though he gathered useful data, the mission failed to meet its primary objective.
Image: Mathew Benoit
10
American China-Everest ’82 Expedition (1982)
Led by Lou Whittaker, this team aimed to summit Mount Everest via the remote Chinese (Tibetan) side, which was an unusual and challenging route for American climbers at the time.
Despite significant progress, they turned back just 1,500 feet from the top due to difficult conditions. The summit remained unreached .
Image: Andreas Gäbler
