** EAST-WEST GREENLAND CROSSING **

(Hahn Glacier, Angmagssalik to point 660, Kangerlussuaq)

In May 1999 Tangent organized the first British guided expedition to cross the Greenland icecap. It was also the first to use kites. Since then we have organized many more Tangent guided teams and numerous private and independent group crossings. As the leading logistics specialist for icecap crossings we offer full logistics support and consultancy for all independent groups and icecap crossing expeditions. We have forged numerous new routes over sections of the icecap in east and northeast Greenland. Please take a look at our "Expedition Firsts" section in the left hand menu. In this our 12th season of Greenland icecap journeys we will offer our 10th east-west crossing via the so called "standard route". But don't be misled! This is a serious undertaking requiring commitment and dedication. With a direct line distance of 335 miles or 535km it is a major arctic journey. In reality this equates to 350 miles or 560km of actual travelling. The more southerly Nansen route is 280 miles or 450km. It is a true unsupported man hauling expedition in which the team will pull provisions for up to 30 days in pulk sledges. Tangent owns a number of traction kites with the option to take and use these for wind assistance if the team wish to. For faster crossing times of 18-21 days there is the option to join our east-west dog sled assisted expedition. EARLY APPLICATION is essential for all Greenland crossings.

Route

Our experience shows that for maximum chance of success, teams should start the crossing from the top of the Hahn Glacier, having been flow there from Tasiilaq by privately chartered helicopter. Other companies offer cheaper prices by starting the journey from sea level at Isortoq, but every year this is proven to be a high risk strategy. Weather delays and additional helicopter charters can end up costing thousands of pounds more and deep snow during the ascent from sea level has proved disastrous for many an expedition. During the 2009 season 8 of the 10 expeditions failed as a result. In contrast, flying in by helicopter direct to point 930m allows good progress to be made from Day 1 in any conditions, vastly increasing the chance of overall success. We finish the crossing at point 660m from where we arrange collection by 4 wheel drive vehicle and transportation to our accommodation in Kangerlussuaq. There is an option to cross via the rarely traversed Nansen route but this is more expensive due to much greater use of privately chartered helicopter flights to reach the start point at Umivik. This would normally only be available to private groups.

During our 2010 crossing we aim to reach the middle of the icecap in 15 days and to complete the journey in 28 days. We will carry food and fuel for 30 days and the start weight for the pulks will be 90kg. So far, all our successful non kiting expeditions have completed in times of 26 to 29 days. It is possible to achieve faster times of 24-25 days but these are normally only achieved by pairs who are able to travel faster than groups, or for those with significant previous ski and man hauling experience.

Experience / Level Of Camping

Previous ski or sled hauling experience is not essential, however some prior training in cross country ski technique is preferable and recommended. This can be done during our training weekend in Scotland. Excellent organisation and camping skills are required, as well as the ability to work well as part of a team under often stressful circumstances. Ice cap journeys are as much a mental as well as physical challenge and team members must be prepared for long hard days of up to 9 hrs sled hauling per day, day after day. At the beginning of the expedition, with deep new snow and pulks at their heaviest, travel can be reduced to as little as 6km in 10 hours. As  the expedition draws to a close and with optimum fitness and light pulks, distances of 35km+ can be achieved in final pushes of 12+ hour days. Previous camping experience is essential along with a reasonable level of previous snow/glacier camping and cold climate experience. All team members must be happy camping in full snow conditions and expect to be confident travelling and camping in blizzards and extreme cold temperatures. A high level of fitness, endurance and self motivation are required. Once underway there is no option to back out without significant financial consequences for a private helicopter pick up!

Team

It is very important that we form the core group for this crossing and have our final team in place as soon as possible. These are not the type of expeditions that can receive late bookings! Please let us know IMMEDIATELY if you are interested in one of these expeditions and would be keen to find out more about them and to discuss the finer details. I am happy to travel anywhere within the UK to meet prospective clients and talk you though the expeditions in greater detail. We can also tailor make a bespoke expedition for pairs and private groups, either self led or led by one of our own experienced guides.

Kites or No Kites!

Several of our previous expeditions have used specially designed traction kites belonging to Tangent; large adjustable canopies designed to cover significant distances using wind assistance, which can pull the team along at considerable speeds. Often, due to poor visibility and unusual head winds, little or no use of these kites can be made. Occasionally they can be very useful and also great fun. It is debatable whether they are of good enough benefit to warrant carrying on a Greenland crossing. Significant amounts of time can be lost due to preparation and training whilst on the glacier. Sometimes several hours per day can be used up unpacking, rigging and packing up again, with only a little 'on task' time sometimes being achieved, often due to changing wind speeds and wind direction. In more recent years we have also learned the necessity to gain considerable practice with these kites before trying to use them in Greenland. We may find that we have a mix of clients who do and do not wish to use kites, in which case we will look at the possibility of having one expedition with kites and one without, depending on client numbers. We will however, only use kites with group sizes of maximum 3 clients plus guide, and only after significant training prior to arriving in Greenland. Therefore the use of kites in a small team will have additional time and cost implications for training weekends and a possible 4 day training trip to Norway (subject to client agreement).

Flight Logistics

The group will meet on the Saturday at our favourite centrally located guesthouse in Reykjavik, Iceland. Regular flights are available from most European countries direct to Iceland's international airport at Keflavik, from where a coach will take you direct to the guesthouse. We shall spend Sunday together in Reykjavik going through equipment and planning details, before flying Monday morning to Kulusuk in east Greenland. The views are splendid as we pass over the frozen Demark Straits for the last hour of the flight before sweeping round the northern coast of Kulusuk island before touching down on the gravel airstrip at Kulusuk. From here a completely different world awaits with arctic mountains, glaciers, huskies, snow mobiles and huge ice bergs stranded on the shallows of the fjord, less than a kilometre away. After a short wait we transfer to a helicopter for the 10 minute flight to Tasiilaq, the principal town in the region with just 1500 inhabitants. After laying hands on our food and equipment, sent out in advance, we stay one night in a guesthouse before flying the next day to the icecap by private helicopter. On the west coast we will be collected from point 660m by 4 wheel drive vehicle and transported to our guesthuse accommodation. Between 1 and 3 nights will be spent at Kangerlussuaq, depending on the arrival date on the west coast, before catching a direct flight to Copenhagen and onward to your home country.

Weather

In recent years many groups, and even some organisers, have recommended departing in early or mid April to avoid the melt water streams and pools on the west coast. We do NOT support this idea and recommend departing in late April or early May. Even in late April you can still be exposed to the last of the coastal storms which can put down large amounts of fresh snow, making travelling extremely difficult. In early to mid April you can be pinned down for many days in such storms, deep snow, and poor visibility. A departure at the end of April or during the first week of May significantly reduces this risk. For each week earlier that you arrive on the west coast, there will be a noticeable difference in conditions, however the increased risk of significant bad weather delays and storms at the beginning outweighs this. Please click here to view our preferred Itinerary.

Daylight Hours

Apart from just a few hours of dusk in the first week or two, the expedition will have 24 hour light conditions throughout. Another benefit of departing slightly later.

Cold Weather Clothing

Team members will require all the usual winter expedition clothing but specifically including windproof salopettes and jacket, insulated down jacket, face mask and expedition gloves/mitts. A detailed equipment list will be sent to all clients.

Equipment Provision

Tangent will provide Snowsled pulk sledges, North Face tents, snow pegs, floor insulation, MSR stoves, specially commissioned stove insulation boards, fuel bottles, fuel cans, fuel funnels, stove spares kits, lighters, pans, white gas fuel, food, toilet paper, maps & aerial reconnaissance photos, GPS, group survival shelter, snow shovels, emergency flares, PLB (emergency locator beacon), VHF air band radio, satellite telephone & solar re-charging system, emergency flares, expedition medical kit including injectable pain killers and anti-biotics, general spares and repair kit, client prussik loops, a rope, and all crevasse rescue equipment for glacier travel.

Clients will need to provide their own large rucksack/travel bag, 40+ litre daysack for daily access, good quality sleeping bag comfort rated to -20'c, inflatable sleeping mattress (& repair kit), foam sleeping mattress, water/windproof jacket and trousers, suitable alpine ski touring or nordic skis and boots, ski poles, new full length skins, new short 'Kicker' skins, spare skin glue, tip and tail glide wax, lightweight aluminium crampons, full winter clothing including windproof salopettes and jackets, insulated down jacket, face mask and expedition gloves/mitts/hat/balaclava, 100% UV cat 4/5 sun glasses, 100% UV snow goggles, 1 litre metal flask, 1 litre water bottle (including insulating cover), eating/drinking cup/bowl/utensils, pee (toilet) bottle, multi-tool knife, lightweight harness, 5 x screwgate karabiners, light weight ice axe, GPS (optional), compass.

Insurance

We can arrange insurance with our partners P J Hayman. Please contact our office for latest details.

What Next ?

If you would like to consider joining this expedition then please contact Paul Walker as soon as possible. The first step will be for me to meet each of you personally (if UK resident) before arranging a group meeting as early as possible at our base in the Lake District. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the following:

   1. Further details of the expedition,
   2. Finalise dates for training and for the expedition,
   3. Look at equipment and clothing.
   4. Discuss the experience of the group,
   5. Look at the route and logistics,
   6. Decide on use of kites or not,
 
If you know of anyone else who might be interested in the expedition can you please pass on our contact details to them.

The start date is currently provisional and can be changed to best suit the group.

Bespoke expeditions and private logistics can easily be arranged for Independent groups. Please enquire for a quote.

We offer a 10% DISCOUNT for a suitably qualified expedition doctor, nurse or paramedic.

Personal Service - all prospective clients are welcome to visit us at our home in Cumbria or Paul Walker will travel to any part of the mainland UK free of charge to meet with you and discuss the expedition in more detail and show you maps and photographs. We believe this benchmark service is offered by no other expedition travel company and supports our commitment to providing an ultimate level of high quality personal service.