Preparatory meeting in the morning with the expedition leader. Exact time and location to be announced.

 Flight Reykjavík - Kulusuk - Tasiilaq

Final preparation, the necessary inspection of gear etc - overnight in Tasiilaq guesthouse.

Transfer to Isortoq/Hahn glacier - start of the Crossing

Skiing up to the summit. It takes about 10 - 15 days to climb up to the highest part of the Ice sheet on this route, topping off at 2500 m (8200 ft). The gradient is gradual and the use of skins make sure that the skis move us forward.

Skiing down on the west side of the Ice sheet, arriving at Hill 660.

Hiking from Hill 660 to Kangerlussuaq (optional). Flight to Reykjavík (scheduled on the 15th of May), expedition ends.

The Greenland Crossing - a Real Polar Expedition

The expedition begins at Reykjavik city airport, on April 13th 2017, with a flight to Kulusuk, Greenland and then a helicopter transfer to Tasiilaq, the capital of East Greenland. The group will stay in Tasiilaq for one or two nights, sorting out equipment and food and dealing with the final preparations before setting out. From Tasiilaq the group will be flown by helicopter up to Hahn-glacier at about 900 m (2700 ft) altitude, where the skis will take over for the next 540 km (335 miles) or so. 

It takes about 10 - 15 days to climb from the Hahn glacier up to the highest part of the Greenland ice sheet, at 2500 m. From there it takes about a week to get to the phantom radar station DYE-2, one of the strangest buildings to be found on the planet, and then it takes approximately five days to reach land at Hill 660 at the western edge of the ice sheet.  All in all we estimate spending from 22 to 27 days on the ice sheet.

Hill 660 is in fact a nameless hill close to the glacier that measures 660 m above sea level in height. A jeep track lies from the hill which is beneficial for expeditions coming off of the ice sheet as both people and luggage can be taken by car the last 35 km (21.7 mi) to Kangerlussuaq. However, a hike back to civilization may be a welcoming thought for expedition members as the landscape is quite dramatic providing brilliant contrasts to the endless snows of the ice sheet. The fauna of the area is also truly remarkable. Reindeer, muskoxen, snow hares and arctic foxes can be seen in big numbers and during this period the lakes are still, mostly ice covered keeping the mosquitoes away.

If the expedition has made it in good time over the ice sheet, nobody is pressed for a return flight from Kangerlussuaq, and all expedition members are still in good health, without any blisters or foot aches, there is a possibility of doing the hike, either in part or as a whole, down to Kangerlussuaq carrying only a light pack. This will be decided by the guide and all expedition members once the expedition has reached Hill 660.

For further information contact us: [email protected]