Photo credit: explorersweb.com
Despite the Barneo North Pole station being inactive once again, expedition activities continue to thrive in northern Canada and Greenland. An insurer has agreed to collaborate with the Greenland government, ensuring that this year’s adventure season on the world’s largest island can proceed without interruption.
Ellesmere Island
Expeditioners Borge Ousland and Vincent Colliard have stationed themselves in Iqaluit as they prepare for an ambitious attempt to achieve the first unsupported north-south crossing of Ellesmere Island. Their plan is to launch from Cape Columbia and traverse the island’s three main ice caps in mid-April.
Meanwhile, Canadian adventurers Ray Zahab and Kevin Vallely are over three weeks into their sled journey, making their way from the small weather station in Eureka, located on the island’s northwestern edge, to the community of Grise Fiord in the south. Their expedition has involved navigating both overland routes and traveling across sea ice, and they expect to reach Grise Fiord within the upcoming week.
A previous expedition’s overland route to Grise Fiord. Photo: Jerry Kobalenko
Northwest Passage
A Spanish team consisting of Jose Trejo, Sechu Lopez, and Francisco Mira is currently three days into their sled journey toward Gjoa Haven. Following a ten-day wait in Resolute for delayed equipment and local advice about safely crossing the Barrow Strait, they were cautioned against the crossing due to open water conditions. Consequently, they chose to fly 137 kilometers on April 6 to begin their journey from Cape Prince on Prince of Wales Island, which will reduce their overall route to approximately 600 kilometers.
The Spanish Northwest Passage team’s charter flight route is depicted in the accompanying map, illustrating their revised path shown in the latest updates. Photo: mardehielo2025.com
Norwegian adventurer Anders Brenna is about 18 days into his solitary 1,100-kilometer trek from Gjoa Haven to Glenelg Bay on northern Victoria Island. Currently located on the southwestern side of King William Island, Brenna is traversing sea ice after originating from the southeastern side.
In another endeavor, British explorer Preet Chandi completed her training last month near Lancaster Sound in preparation for a potential solo mission to the North Pole, pending availability of funding. Specifics regarding her training goals remain scarce.
Baffin Island
The British expedition team, which includes Tom Harding, Ben James, Leanne Dyke, and James Hoyes, is currently stationed in Pangnirtung. Their skiing and climbing initiative is aimed at exploring remote regions just north of this small Inuit community, with a focus on two primary climbing objectives. They are expected to be transported 60 kilometers by snowmobile by a local outfitter, after which they will attempt to navigate the mountains east of the Weasel River Valley. Unfortunately, a recent snowstorm forced them to abandon their snowmobile journey back to Pangnirtung.
Great Slave Lake, the kickoff site for Rotmo and Randulf’s expedition. Photo: Shutterstock
Northwest Territories
Norwegians Bengt Rotmo and Randulf Valle have entered the 15th day of their sled journey covering more than 700 kilometers, traveling from near Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, to Kugluktuk on Nunavut’s western coastline. They commenced their journey on March 25 from the northwestern end of Great Slave Lake, moving through forests and frozen lakes along a secluded winter trail. Notable early experiences include the sighting of wolf tracks and notable improvements in snow conditions.
Now venturing into the tundra, the snowpack has solidified, and the seasoned duo is making progress as they advance northward amid mild temperatures that have crested just above freezing.
Ungava Peninsula
Canadian adventurer Dave Greene and his partner are now 19 days into their ski expedition across Quebec’s Ungava Peninsula. As of April 7, they have traversed 253 kilometers, adjusting their original 543-kilometer route from Akulivik to Kangirsuk to 400 kilometers due to a fuel leak in their sleds that spoiled some food supplies. They now plan to finish their journey in Kangiqsujuaq.
The duo has been contending with temperatures plummeting below -40 degrees Celsius, along with strong winds and sporadic blizzard conditions. Daily travel distances have fluctuated between 16 to 23 kilometers.
The village of Kangiqsujuaq. Photo: Shutterstock
Additionally, Samuel Lalande-Markon and Marie-France L’Ecuyer are 23 days into their 30-day ski expedition across the Ungava Peninsula. Their journey spans 400 kilometers from Akulivik to Kangiqsujuaq, which began on March 16 after they arrived in Akulivik. They have faced formidable winds and chilly temperatures, and their route has seen them pass essential geographical features and archaeological sites.
In the second week of their venture, they reached the Puvirnituq River and made notable progress while passing archaeological sites. Upon entering Pingualuit National Park, they took a short respite to explore the stunning Pingualuit Crater, a significant meteorite impact site. As they near the conclusion of their expedition, Lalande-Markon and L’Ecuyer remain dedicated to their journey toward Kangiqsujuaq.
Elsewhere, a group comprising Kathleen Goulet, Chantal Secours, Julie Gauthier, and Roxanne Chenel has successfully completed a 650-kilometer ski journey from Schefferville to Kangiqsualujjuaq, retracing a canoe route along the Rivière de Pas and the George River. Awaited details on their expedition journey will provide further insights into their experiences.
Greenland
A French insurer’s intervention has enabled this year’s icecap expeditions in Greenland to continue despite initial cancellations prompted by new insurance regulations, although this comes with the downside of considerably increased premiums.
Japanese adventurer Yasu Ogita was reported in Nuuk, preparing for a comprehensive 400-kilometer ski expedition from Siorapaluk, the world’s northernmost village, to Cape Inglefield, a historically significant area, and back.
Ogita’s planned route takes him near the historic abandoned outpost of Etah, a former base for polar explorers during the 20th century. The gable depicted here is part of the structure built by the 1934-5 Oxford University Expedition. Photo: Jerry Kobalenko
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