Ski Two Degrees to the Top of the World

 

Distance: 220+ km

Duration: 18 days/17 nights on the Arctic ice

Temperature Range: -20 to –35C

Challenge Level:  5+

Prices and Dates

Register

Enquire

 

North Pole Exped is our most challenging adventure. It offers every element of a full-blown expedition – self-sufficiency, decision-making, team-work, ice travel – but without the urgency and anxiety. With almost 3 weeks on the ice, covering two degrees of latitude, you will return from Exped with a deep understanding of North Pole ski adventuring.

We meet in Svalbard’s capital Longyearbyen, on the island of Spitsbergen (Norway). After preparations and outfitting you with the Polar Clothing and Equipment Pack, we fly 2.5 hours by Antonov-74 aircraft to Barneo Ice Camp. At Barneo we board the Mi-8 helicopter and fly south to 88 degrees north, over 200km from the North Pole. Temperatures range between -20° to –35°C but comfortably so in state-of-the-art polar clothing provided to each team member. Towing our own sleds, we set off towards the North Pole, spending 2-3 weeks on the Arctic Ocean, living from our supplies, surviving on our wit. This is true Arctic Ocean expeditioning, alone against the elements, challenging the drift, overcoming the constant obstacles.

The success of a North Pole expedition lies in the ability of a team, and its individuals, to adopt a rhythm of polar travel. Daily routines are established, both in and around camp, and during the hours in the harness, to ensure the expedition moves north safely, efficiently and happily. Each person is required to become an integral part of the team and lends a hand in every aspect of the trek, from cooking to route-finding to watching out for polar bears.

Skiing 10–15 kilometres per day there is no shortage of time to explore the real Arctic Ocean. Everything before us is as it was centuries ago, when early explorers first ventured into this truly remote region. Yet the feeling is one of isolation and exclusivity, as if we are the first to discover the North Pole. After 20 or so days we reach 90 degrees north and celebrate our arrival at the top of the world. To top it off we may camp at the North Pole before being collected by helicopter the next day. We return on the 40-minute flight to Barneo, marveling at the ice chaos below, our home for almost 3 weeks.  At Borneo we celebrate with champagne and ceremony. If time permits we may spend the night at Barneo, where we have access to cooked meals and heated bunk-rooms. We then fly on the AN-74 back to Longyearbyen, transfer to hotels, before commemorating our experience with fine Norwegian hospitality.

North Pole Exped, our most challenging Arctic adventure, is a serious Arctic expedition, perfect as a stand-alone adventure or as training and familiarisation for those considering a full-length North Pole expedition from Canada or Siberia.

 

ITINERARY

Day 1	Meet in Longyearbyen and check in to hotel, collect clothing and equipment, welcome dinner (venue to be advised).
Day 2-3	Preparation, packing, equipment check, ski training. Formal information brifing
Day 4	Morning flight to Barneo Ice Camp. Chopper flight to start local ski training.  Camp in tents at Barneo or begin
Day 4-21	Ski expedition over Arctic ice to North Pole, approximately 220km. Pick-up by chopper from Pole and return to Barneo
Day 22	Flight to Longyearbyen and transfer to hotel.
Day 23	North Pole Ceremony. Venue to be advised.

 

Inclusions

Testimonials

Registration

Medical Evacuation Cover

Ice Camp Barneo

Enquire