After the excitement it was noted that Fram had drifted beyond Greely's Farthest North record of 83°24, and on 8 January was at 83°34′N. On 17 February 1895 Nansen began a farewell letter to his wife, Eva, writing that should he come to grief "you will know that your image will be the last I see."
Efter dette blev det registreret, at "Fram" var drevet forbi Greelys nordligste punkt på 83°24'N, og den 8. januar var hun ved 83°34'N. Den 17. februar 1895 begyndte Nansen på et afskedsbrev til sin hustru Eva, hvor han skrev, at skulle han komme i knibe "skal du vide, at dit billede vil blive det sidste, jeg ser."