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Recent Polar Expeditions: Highlights from the Arctic
This week, Canadian adventurers Ray Zahab and Kevin Vallely successfully concluded their 28-day journey, covering 500 kilometers from the remote weather station of Eureka to Grise Fiord, the only settlement on Ellesmere Island. Their expedition was marked by a winter start and an emphasis on overland travel, ultimately achieving approximately 60% of their trek on land, with the remainder on sea ice. Throughout their journey, they encountered wildlife, including 22 muskoxen, one Arctic hare, and a remarkable 31 wolves, with some wolves even passing through their campsite.
Zahab and Vallely arrive in Grise Fiord. Photo: Ray Zahab
Aspirations in the Arctic
The current season also features an extraordinary goal set by seasoned explorers Borge Ousland and Vincent Colliard, who are attempting the first unsupported north-to-south traverse of Ellesmere Island. The two adventurers are based in Resolute, awaiting favorable weather conditions for a chartered flight costing $72,000, which will take them to their starting point at Ward Hunt Island. Their journey will see them skiing approximately 1,100 kilometers across three ice caps before reaching King Edward Point and continuing over the sea ice to Grise Fiord.
Journeys through the Northwest Passage
Spaniards Jose Trejo, Sechu Lopez, and Francisco Mira have embarked on a two-week sled expedition towards Gjoa Haven. To circumvent the open waters of Barrow Strait, they took a charter flight from Resolute to a skiing trail near Prince of Wales Island. Since beginning their journey on April 6, they’ve traversed roughly 125 kilometers, enduring frigid conditions, heavy sleds, and varying snow quality, with soft snow delaying their movement.
As they progress southward past Prescott Island, they report fluctuating snow firmness that complicates travel, prompting plans to shift southwest towards Tasmania Islands, situated midway down Somerset Island. The team has approximately 400 kilometers remaining.
Alongside them, Norwegian Anders Brenna is around 27 days into a solo trek of 1,100 kilometers from Gjoa Haven to Glenelg Bay on northern Victoria Island. Currently positioned on the southeastern coast of Royal Geographical Society Island, he approached this point via sea ice from his starting location on King William Island.
Map Source: Shadedrelief.com
Adventures on Baffin Island
Evening light on Mount Thor in Auyuittuq National Park, Nunavut, Baffin Island. Photo: Shutterstock
A British team comprising Tom Harding, Ben James, Leanne Dyke, and James Hoyes was recently airlifted by snowmobile into the Weasel River Valley. Since their drop-off, they have been traveling by sled towards the mountains situated east of Akshayuk Pass, aiming for notable peaks such as Mount Thor. On April 17, they reported summiting a peak, with GPS tracking confirming a summit achievement on April 15 as well.
Expeditions in the Northwest Territories
Over in the Northwest Territories, Norwegians Bengt Rotmo and Randulf Valle have made significant progress in their 700-kilometer journey from near Yellowknife to Kugluktuk in Nunavut. Beginning on March 25 from Great Slave Lake, they have traversed diverse terrains, including forests, frozen lakes, and tundra, overcoming variable spring conditions characterized by rain, crusted snow, and drifting snow. During their travels, they have encountered various wildlife such as wolves, foxes, and caribou.
Notably, on April 16, the duo observed the emergence of patches of spruce forest along the tundra as they approach Napaktulik Lake, where they may meet local travelers over the Easter weekend.
Crossing the Ungava Peninsula
Samuel Lalande-Markon and Marie-France L’Ecuyer. Photo: Marie-France L’Ecuyer
This week, Samuel Lalande-Markon and Marie-France L’Ecuyer successfully completed a 27-day ski crossing of Quebec’s Ungava Peninsula, traveling from Akulivik to Kangiqsujuaq. Their journey took them past notable sites like the Puvirnituq River and the Pingualuit Crater, where they faced challenges such as strong winds and limited visibility.
Similarly, Canadian Dave Greene and his team completed a 400-kilometer ski journey from Akulivik to Kangiqsujuaq in 25 days, though their original plan to reach the further destination of Kangirsuk was hindered by a fuel leak that affected essential food supplies.
Dave Greene, far right, with teammates in Kangiqsujuak. Photo: Dave Greene
Greenland Adventures
In Greenland, Japanese Arctic traveler Yasu Ogita has arrived at Qaanaq and is awaiting a helicopter ride to Siorapaluk, the northernmost village not just in Greenland but in the entire world. Once there, he intends to undertake a 400-kilometer skiing adventure in the Cape Inglefield region before making his return.
Ogita gets to know the locals on a previous trip. Photo: Yasu Ogita
Source
explorersweb.com