While many explorers had perished in the harsh conditions of the Arctic, the Inuits lived in harmony with the barren Arctic lands and weather, adapting to the six month long nights and six month long days. The men hunted polar bear, musk oxen, caribou, seal and walrus. The Inuit women were adept at making bearskin pants, snowhare stockings, waterproof sealskin boots, deerskin mittens, and fur coats. The Inuits folded the skins inward so the fur was on the inside, and the women spent hours chewing the edges of the leather to make it soft enough to sew. Henson learned a great deal from the Inuit, and Peary learned a great deal from Henson. While Peary insisted on traveling on skis, he soon adopted the Inuits' transportation of choice-the dog sledge. And while Peary's first expedition featured tents, he soon headed to the Inuits' preferred shelter-the igloo.