Paul Stern Land-Watkins Mountains
BRAND NEW ICECAP CROSSING ROUTE !!!

Fancy something new and different? - The opening up of yet another major Greenland icecap crossing route by the world's leading experts! A shorter 200km journey in east Greenland, from the remote Paul Stern Land mountains to the Watkins Mountains, culminating in an ascent of Gunnbjørnsfjeld, the highest peak in the arctic at 3,693m. An unsupported ski and man hauling journey using pulks which will also be stopping off en route to make one or two first ascents of easy grade peaks on the Knud Rasmussen Land ice field in this breathtaking region. An ideal Polar journey with the option of traction kite training and a splendid and varied journey for those unable to manage 5 weeks off work for the full east-west traverse. This expedition can also be used as a training expedition for major North and South Pole journeys. Travelling north to south down the eastern side of the icecap and then trending southwestwards this expedition will have following winds throughout. At such a high latitude the expedition will also receive far more settled and more typically drier polar weather than the usual crossings further south.

Other possible dates available in April or June if it best suits the majority of the team.

Also available to independent groups.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Previous skiing or sled hauling experience 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 essential, along with 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, day in day out.

Previous camping experience 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 handling skiing and camping in blizzards and extreme cold temperatures.

A high level of fitness, endurance and self motivation are essential.

FURTHER DETAILS

It is very important that we begin to form the core groups for these icecap crossings and have our final teams 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.

Tangent has helped organize many private group crossings of the Greenland icecap over the years as well as several Tangent guided teams. More recently in 2008 we organized and guided the Circle 66 cancer research expedition. We have also organized other successful independent groups and icecap crossing expeditions that have forged new routes over sections of the icecap in east and northeast Greenland. Please take a look at our "Expedition Firsts" section in the drop down menu of these Icecap Crossing pages.

In May 1999 Tangent organized the first ever British guided expedition to cross the Greenland icecap, making the journey in just 24 days, but having to be picked up somewhat short of the true finishing point on land. This was due to an ankle injury of one of the members and after receiving information by satcoms from an expedition a couple of days ahead of us that the final section of badly crevassed glacier leading down to the coast was very slow going. We had neither time or food left to accommodate this and thus requested a helicopter pick up from the edge of the icecap. We also experienced unusually bad weather during much of the journey, which made the first half of the expedition slower than we expected, taking 15 days to the middle of the icecap. However, we pushed on very hard in the second part of the journey covering excellent ground on good surfaces, despite the bad weather and poor visibility, sometimes covering over 30km a day (best day was 38km).

We returned to the icecap in May 2002 with a strong and dedicated team of six people, led by Tangent leader Brian Newham and his partner Jo. Despite several stormbound days when it was not possible to travel, the group made superb use of traction kites for wind assistance and travelled some 180km in three days in the latter part of the expedition, completing the full journey in 24 days. An excellent and highly successful expedition completed in a fast time.

Due to an increased demand for this type of expedition we organized two expedition crossings in 2003, one consisting of five members, the other of four. Despite very difficult conditions and considerable bad weather, both teams successfully completed the journey in 26 and 27 days respectively.

We have since gone on to maintain and develop our position as the most successful organizer of both independent and fully guided and unsupported ski and man hauling journeys over the Greenland icecap.

During our 2009 standard route crossing we will aim to reach the middle of the icecap in 14 days and to complete the journey in 28 days. We will carry food and fuel for 30 days with starting weights for the pulk sledges being in the region of 90kg. The total duration of the expedition from UK to UK will be around 5 weeks. Although this may seem rather longer than necessary it must be emphasized that 24 days is an unusually fast time and was only achieved with the aid of three superb days for kiting. Without those favourable days most expeditions will certainly use up their full 28 days allocated time.

Several of our previous journeys 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. Due to poor visibility and unusual head winds we made little use of these kites for the group as a whole in 1999, yet in 2002 they were invaluable and proved their worth. In 2003 some use was made of the kites but with no significant benefit to the times achieved. This was due to the significant amounts of time being lost due to preparation and training whilst on the glacier. Sometimes several hours per day can be used up unpacking, rigging, packing up, etc, with only a little actual '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. Kite practice will form a major part of the two training weekends. It may turn out that we have a mix of clients who do and do not want 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.

The total direct distance of the Tasiilaq to Kangerlussuaq crossing is 335 miles or 535km. In reality this equates to about 350 miles or 560km actual travelling. The more southerly Nansen route is 280 miles or 450km. We will use nordic mountain touring skis (metal edged) with plastic nordic touring boots which have proved themselves to be excellent for these conditions. Because of the nature of this expedition it is very important that we have our group finalized as soon as possible. This allows us plenty of time to meet up to discuss equipment and other matters and to embark upon two training weekends during the coming winter.

If you would like to consider joining either of these expeditions please contact Paul Walker immediately. Our first step will be 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. Focus on more specific dates for the expedition,
   3. Equipment and clothing.
   4. Experience of the group members,
   5. Look at the route and logistics,
   6. Decide on use of kites or not,
   7. Arrange a date for a training weekend and further meeting.
   8. Training

If you know of anyone else who might be interested in the expedition can you please pass on our contact details to them.

All dates are approximate and can be changed to some extent to best suit the group.

All expeditions involve camping in full winter snow conditions for the duration.

All expeditions travel via Iceland and via Kulusuk and Sondre Stromfjord airports in Greenland.

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

10% DISCOUNT for suitably qualified expedition doctor, nurse or medic.