Photo credit: explorersweb.com
After enduring an extended weather hold in Resolute, adventurers Borge Ousland and Vincent Colliard boarded a charter plane yesterday to Ward Hunt Island. From this location, they aim to traverse approximately 60 kilometers eastward over sea ice to Cape Columbia, the northern tip of Ellesmere Island. This point marks the commencement of their ambitious 1,100-kilometer quest to achieve an unsupported traverse from the north to the south of the island.
Vincent Colliard, left, and Borge Ousland: underway at last. Photo: Ousland/Colliard
Across various sectors of the Canadian Arctic, multiple expeditions are currently underway, with several others initiating their journeys in Greenland.
Northwest Passage
Spanish explorers Jose Trejo, Sechu Lopez, and Francisco Mira are currently on Day 22 of their sled journey toward Gjoa Haven. To navigate around the open waters of Barrow Strait, they enlisted a charter flight from Resolute and commenced their skiing near Prince of Wales Island.
Since April 6, they have traversed roughly 260 kilometers on skis. A challenging storm in mid-April forced them into a prolonged camp, but they have since resumed a consistent pace, managing to cover between 17 to 20 kilometers daily despite disruptions caused by broken sea ice and snowdrifts.
Recently, the trio passed Cape Eyre on Prince of Wales Island, entering Franklin Strait. As of April 26, they were approaching the Tasman Islands located off the Boothia Peninsula. Their latest reports indicated relatively mild temperatures between -15°C to -17°C, complemented by light winds and an improved snow surface.
Broken sea ice has slowed Anders Brenna’s pace. Photo: Anders Brenna
Further south within the Northwest Passage, Norwegian explorer Anders Brenna is approximately four and a half weeks into what he had originally planned as a solo 1,100-kilometer sled traverse from Gjoa Haven to Glenelg Bay on northern Victoria Island. However, challenging snow and sea ice conditions necessitated a redirection of his path due to insufficient progress.
Brenna has now reached the southeast side of Royal Geographical Society Island and is advancing southwest in the direction of Jenny Lind Island, one of the flatter islands in that region. This alteration in course will shorten his journey from 1,100 kilometers to roughly 400 kilometers. Although he had enough supplies, the high costs associated with chartering a flight back from Glenelg Bay to Cambridge Bay posed a significant barrier. Brenna initially hoped to arrange for a snowmobile pickup, which is considerably more economical, but as time progresses, inadequate snow conditions will hinder overland snowmobile travel.
Baffin Island
British adventurers Tom Harding, Ben James, Leanne Dyke, and James Hoyes were deposited via snowmobile in the Weasel River Valley a few weeks ago. They have since been hauling sleds towards mountainous terrains east of Akshayuk Pass. GPS data indicates that they summited two peaks on April 15 and 17 before continuing their trek eastward.
Northwest Territories
The last time Bengt Rotmo and Randulf Valle teamed up was in 2003 in the Northwest Passage. Photo: Bengt Rotmo and Randulf Valle
With minimal fanfare, Norwegian veterans Bengt Rotmo and Randulf Valle have successfully completed their 700-kilometer sled expedition from near Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, to Kugluktuk in Nunavut. They embarked on March 25 and made commendable progress northward through forests, frozen lakes, and expansive tundra.
The duo faced a spectrum of spring weather conditions, ranging from rain and crusty snow to whiteout conditions. They encountered wildlife, including wolves, foxes, and caribou, along the way. During the Easter weekend (April 21-22), they reached Napaktulik Lake, a crucial landmark. Battling headwinds, they relied on snowmobile tracks to navigate west towards Kugluktuk.
Despite persistent cold weather and challenging snow conditions, by April 23, they had less than 100 kilometers remaining. In the final leg of their month-long expedition, weather conditions improved, leading to calmer winds and better skiing conditions. They arrived in Kugluktuk on April 27.
Ungava Peninsula
Photo: Roxanne Chenel
Previously, reports indicated that two teams successfully completed 400-kilometer ski crossings from Akulivik to Kangiqsujuaq. Meanwhile, Kathleen Goulet, Chantal Secours, Julie Gauthier, and Roxanne Chenel have embarked on a challenging 600-plus-kilometer ski expedition from Schefferville to Kangiqsualujjuaq, following a traditional canoe path along the De Pas and George River.
Their journey commenced from Iron Arm Bay near Schefferville on February 7, coinciding with the coldest period of the year, and concluded 49 days later upon arriving in Kangiqsualujjuaq on March 27. They successfully covered 614 kilometers, navigating through Attikamagen Lake to the Rivière De Pas, which eventually led to the George River. Reportedly, nighttime temperatures dipped as low as -47°C, accompanied by strong winds throughout the journey.
The extreme cold posed both challenges and advantages, creating solid river ice for easier navigation towards Kangiqsualujjuaq. They did face a particularly treacherous 15-kilometer stretch of uneven ice blocks caused by significant tides near Kangiqsualujjuaq, but the robust ice conditions ultimately facilitated their travel.
Greenland
Currently, there are no updates regarding Japanese Arctic traveler Yasu Ogita, who is expected to ski 400 kilometers from Siorapaluk, the world’s northernmost village, to the Cape Inglefield area and back. As of April 16, he was in Qaanaq, anticipated to take a helicopter flight to Siorapaluk.
Further south, polar guide Camilla Ringold is leading a four-person team on an ambitious 2,000-kilometer snowkite expedition from Kangerlussuaq to Qaanaaq. They were set down near Point 660 on April 23 and have spent the initial days manhauling through the challenging Russell Glacier icefall. During this phase, Ringold had a close call when she fell through a snow bridge over a deep crevasse but escaped without injury. After three days, the group reached the inland ice and transitioned to kite-skiing.
Ringold and co. in full flow. Photo: Camilla Ringold
Progress improved significantly, with the team achieving up to 100 kilometers per day as they ascended to their cruising altitude of around 2,300 meters. In the subsequent days, they adapted to fluctuating wind conditions, utilizing different sizes of kites. They have covered over 200 kilometers as of now and are approximately a day and a half ahead of their planned schedule. However, worsening weather characterized by strong winds, snowfall, and decreased visibility has mandated a rest day.
Source
explorersweb.com