To ski unsupported across Greenland is an adventure of the highest degree. It is a spectacular and rewarding journey and is also ideal training for Antarctic and Arctic travel.
We all owe it to ourselves to express our true spirit of adventure, now you can achieve it on this amazing journey!
First completed by the celebrated Arctic adventurer Fridtjof Nansen in 1888, this expedition is still a major achievement, albeit with the luxury of modern equipment and transport to the start of the journey.
We traverse this 539km/335 mile trek over 30 days and build the entire trip into a 36 day expedition. It is ideal training for Antarctic and Arctic travel. We include the latest communications equipment in our kit and have reliable aircraft support as backup but the nature of this expedition demands strong team cohesion and commitment.
If you have a good level of fitness and are a team player then we welcome you to apply for a place on the expedition team.
Adventure Consultants is renowned for the quality of its service and strategy applied to high altitude expedition climbing and polar travel. Our reputation is attributed to meticulous planning and experienced logistics coordination. We have a philosophy of investing in every expedition to offer our climbers the best possible chance of success.
We employ strong and specialised Expedition leaders and support staff, who are some of the most pre-eminent in the industry. We pride ourselves on operating with small teams, the best back-up and support available. This includes nutritious and ample quantities of food, comfortable base camp facilities, reliable communications systems and the necessary medical back up.
Many of our expedition members come to us because they have seen us in action on a previous trip and decide to opt for our level of service and proven experience. Others return because they know we do our very best to make expeditions safe and successful.
Dates 2024
Our 2024 expedition will operate from 22 April to 27 May, 2024.
Pricing Schedule 2024
The cost of the expedition ex Reykjavík, Iceland is €20,000.
Inclusions
The price of your trip includes the following:
Exclusions
The price of your trip does not include:
NOTE: Pricing may change due to increases in airfares and other costs outside the control of Adventure Consultants.
Account Information
All payments should be made by bank transfer to the following bank and account:
Bank of New Zealand
Offshore Branch
42 Willis Street
Spark Central
Wellington
New Zealand
for the account of Adventure Consultants Limited
Account number: 1000 594771 0002
Account Type: Euros
Swift Address: BKNZNZ22
Note: All bank transfer charges are for the remitter's account.
We can accept your deposit payment by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) plus a card transaction charge of 3%.
Deposit
A non-refundable deposit of €2,000 is payable to secure a place on the expedition.
Balance
The balance is payable 120 days prior to the trip start date.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Once you have paid your deposit your trip is confirmed, subject to payment of the balance of fees owing 120 days prior to your trip commencement date. An expedition member may then cancel his/her participation on the following basis:
Trip Cancellation Insurance
Team members should take out private insurance if they wish to be covered against cancellation due to medical or personal reasons. This is called trip cancellation insurance and can be obtained through your normal travel agent.
The Expedition Trip Notes provide detailed information and background for Adventure Consultants' Greenland Crossing Expedition.
You can view the trip notes online by clicking the image or download a pdf by clicking the following link:
Greenland Crossing Trip Notes 2024
Team Membership
The team will have a minimum size of 4 members and 1 guide and a maximum size of 8 members and 2 guides.
Our Guides
The Adventure Consultants team includes experienced Arctic/Antarctic travellers whose knowledge and expertise is imperative in making these expeditions a success. The guides for each crossing are confirmed six months prior to departure time.
Arnaud de Laveleye is an experienced IPGA Polar Guide with a passion for the outdoors. Arnaud has an impressive list of mountaineering achievements behind him as well as numerous polar expeditions. Arnaud will be leading our 2024 Greenland Crossing Expedition.
Head Office Support Team
Running successful journeys and expeditions is more about experience, knowledge and strategic management than any other factors. As an organisation, we place a substantial amount of time and resources into ensuring our trips are well planned and supported. You can be assured that the AC staff will provide you with friendly advice and knowledgeable support throughout the planning stages of your trip and we will be there to provide backup while the trip is running.
Kelly McLaren, Expedition Liaison
Having worked for Adventure Consultants since 2004, Kelly has gained a vast knowledge of AC expeditions and treks. In her role as Expedition Liaison, Kelly will assist with the planning and logistics for your trip, providing useful information, reminders and answering any questions to ensure you arrive well prepared.
Your Health
Expedition members will be provided with pre-trip medical advice and a medical questionnaire and asked to visit their family physician to receive a full medical examination. This information will be sighted only by the expedition leader and our medical adviser and treated with full confidentiality.
Level of Experience Required
Team members will require previous backcountry winter experience on skis and the ability to work well within a team environment. The nature of this expedition demands strong team cohesion and commitment. An essential ingredient for participants is physical fortitude for working hard in a cold weather environment hence each member must be strong and healthy.
Difficulty Rating
Each of our trips is individually rated according to its physical and technical difficulty, displayed in the icons towards the top of each trip page. You can click on the accompanying question mark for additional descriptions and the full run-down of our grading system is available on our Difficulty Ratings page.
Preparing for Your Trip
Effective work at high latitudes requires a good (and specific) physiology for the activity and a solid outdoors background. Of course, there is much we can do to enhance the physical attributes we have and these are best achieved by specific training. See our Fitness Training Programs for information on how we can help you prepare for the expedition.
The physical issues endured by polar travellers are the sheer amount of physical output required on a daily basis, and repetitive strain injuries incurred from said activity. Weight loss often occurs through the sheer inability to eat the amount of calories you burn up in a day. There are ways to try to minimise this through diet, pace and regular snacks throughout each working day. However, on the longer trips, the result of all the effort is a lower level of performance and, consequently, the muscular system deteriorates through a calorific deficit. It is worth anticipating muscle loss and therefore you should train to ensure you have a bit extra before you leave.
Being generally fit, healthy and strong is paramount to doing well on these travels. Training should focus on developing cardiovascular capability and strength training for specific muscle groups. There is no training for pulling sleds like pulling sleds! Sport specific training will ensure your ligaments and tendons are conditioned for the stresses of expedition work so if you can get an old tractor tyre out and drag it around behind you in a field then that will ultimately be of some benefit. However, this can be difficult to do and many polar travellers have focused on other ways to simulate the strains to be experienced in the polar regions. Being overweight places more stress on your system so ensure that you are not putting yourself at a disadvantage before you start. It is recommended that you focus on strength development and stamina training as your body is constantly stressed through sled hauling and dealing with the cold. Lots of gym work is recommended and a physical trainer will assist in working on any areas of weakness you may have. Additionally, a lot of long-duration exercise like hill walking (with a pack), mountain biking on hills and swimming are beneficial. Be careful not to over-train just prior to the trip as you will need all your reserves and you don’t want to 'peak' too early. The fact that you are looking at losing (sometimes) considerable body mass indicates the need to be quite heavy at the start of the trip so do not over-do it prior to the expedition.
Aerobic exercise should not be ignored either as you do not want to turn up fully bulked, but not able to perform short duration bursts of energy expenditure where necessary, like when you set out and are feeling cold. During aerobic training, it is necessary to monitor your heart rate to ensure you are training your cardiovascular system. This can be achieved by using a heart rate monitor or by manually measuring heart rate during exertion. A basic formula is 220-Age=heart rate (HR) maximum. Operating at 70-85% of your HR max will ensure you are exercising to enhance cardiovascular fitness.
For all the effort that goes into training the body, the mental attributes are worth some analysis and attention also. The most important of these are a strong work ethic, an ability to pace one’s self for a long duration project, strength of character and—above all—the ability to get on with others. If you are not a 'team player' or you find that you often come into conflict with others (even if you do think it is their fault) then you should not consider taking part in polar expeditions, unless you do it solo!
Adventure Consultants also offers a specific Polar Training Course to introduce the essential skills and techniques you’ll need to prepare for a polar expedition. Based in the New Zealand mountains, this is a 4-10 day course designed to give you greater confidence in the judgment and decision making aspects of polar travel. While no course can prepare you fully for the real thing, this course offers a variety of terrain that enables you to develop the essential skills you will need.
What You Carry
Like the pioneering explorers we must carry or drag on sleds all the team equipment and food. This reinforces the need to take just the right amount of equipment with you for the trip and to ensure you are fit before you arrive on the expedition.
At the beginning of the expedition, each member should expect to haul a sledge weighing about 75kgs (165 pounds). This is the total weight of both personal and communal gear. Towards the end, your sledge will be closer to 50kgs (110 pounds).
Your guide will help with your equipment check in Iceland, but you will need to arrive fit and ready to tackle the challenges ahead!
Insurance
Evacuation insurance whilst on the trek will be included in the expedition fee but is limited to cover legitimate accident only and is limited to evacuation to the nearest port within Greenland. We require expedition members to carry additional insurance for evacuation and repatriation as well as normal travel medical expenses. Contact us for expedition insurance advice.
History
In 1888 Fritjof Nansen completed the first traverse of Greenland on skis in an epic journey of hardship and discovery. Nansen built large sleds for the journey which were the first of their type and required several men to haul them. Of course, modern technology has provided us with better equipment than what was available when Nansen did the crossing - but the distance and the Ice Cap are unchanged, and you still have to do the work!
Food
Food will be of the highest standard possible, given the remoteness of the situation. As we are hauling all of the gear and food for a month long period, it is usual for food to be somewhat monotonous! However, we are planning our cuisine to be varied and nourishing to ensure energy levels are maintained. Please inform us if you have any special dietary requirements.
Clothing & Equipment
Adventure Consultants will supply all group gear (e.g. tents, stoves, food and sleds) whilst expedition members are to provide their own personal clothing and equipment including skis, skins and boots. A comprehensive equipment list will be provided to expedition members upon confirmation of your participation.
These days our equipment has improved dramatically since Nansen’s time allowing us to undertake this significant adventure with considerably less hardship! However, the equipment we do take must be of the highest quality and appropriate for the specific requirements we will encounter.
Obviously, weight is everything and hence we will rationalise every item we are to carry. A gear check will be carried out prior to departing Reykjavik to allow us to finalise loads.
Communication & Messages
To safeguard members of the expedition we will be carrying a satellite telephone and a Personal Locator Beacon.
| Day | |
| 1 | Meet in Reykjavik, Iceland |
| 2 | Equipment checks and preparation |
| 3 | Fly Reykjavik to Kulusuk, Greenland and transfer to Tasiilaq |
| 4 | Preparations in Tasiilaq |
| 5 | Helicopter flight Tasiilaq to ice cap at approximately 1,000m/3,300ft, begin traverse |
| 6-32 | Crossing days |
| 33 | Descend ice cap and transport to Kangerslusuaq |
| 34-35 | Weather/contingency days |
| 36 | Depart Kangerslusuaq for flight to Reykjavik or home |
Each day following breakfast, we will pack our camp into the sleds and ski for 6-8 hours a day. Regular stops will be made en route for food and rehydration. At the completion of each day’s journey, the team will assemble tents and cook dinner.
We anticipate that the crossing will take 22 to 30 days, travelling a distance of approximately 18-20km each day ranging from 6 to 8 active hours a day.
It will take around 10-16 days to climb from the Hahn Glacier up to the highest part of the Greenland ice sheet at 2500 metres. From there, it will take around a week to get to the phantom radar station DYE-2, and then approximately 5-6 days to reach land at Hill 660 at the western edge of the ice sheet. If weather and snow conditions are good and the team is strong and fit it is possible that the crossing will be completed a few days early.
There will be time to explore and shop for last minute items when you are in Reykjavik. Reykjavik, with its neighboring communities, has a population of around 180,000 and offers an interesting mix of cosmopolitan culture and local village roots. To get the most out of your time in the central city, pick up a City Walks Map, this will help guide you between the sculptures and artwork, parks and hidden gardens as well as historic sites and landmarks. City Walks maps are available at the Tourist Information Centre on Adalstræti.
Iceland offers many activities for the visitor including a visit to the Blue Lagoon, Iceland’s world famous spa in which you can sit back and enjoy the geothermal wonders while giving your body a soak in the restoring waters.
Kulusuk
The two-hour flight to Kulusuk from Reykjavík will be in a Fokker Friendship 50 seater or a Twin Otter airplane. When we arrive there we will take a short helicopter flight (or boat) directly to Tasiilaq, the principal town on the East Coast of Greenland. Tasiilaq is on Ammassalik Island and we plan to stay here for two nights. From Tasiilaq we will charter a helicopter to the start of our crossing either directly onto the Hahn Glacier or to the small village of Isertoq.
Ammassalik - Tasiilaq
Tasiilaq is the largest town in East Greenland with a population of around 1700. The town is beautifully situated in a fjord surrounded by high mountains. Tasiilaq (meaning ‘like a still lake’) is a town divided in two by a small river which flows down through Narsuuliartarpiip, the Flower Valley behind the town. The unique Arctic flora in the Flower Valley makes this a great place for a short hike.
Characteristic of Tasiilaq, like other Greenlandic towns, are the small, brightly painted houses. In the case of delays, there is plenty to see. Check out the Ammassalik Museum, housed in the town’s first church high above the harbour; take a stroll through town or visit the Tourist Office near the ferry landing for other options and further information.
Enjoy your time in Tasiilaq, as it is our last taste of civilization and from here we will load our gear into the helicopter to fly up to the glacier.
We have Polar Training Courses based in Greenland, Iceland, Europe and New Zealand, each designed to introduce you to the skills and techniques you’ll need to prepare for a polar expedition to give you greater confidence in the judgment and decision making aspects of polar travel. You will learn skills such as food preparation, navigation, camp management and even how to go to the toilet in a storm! While no course can prepare you fully for the real thing, this course offers a variety of terrain that enables you to develop the skills you will use in polar environments.
Please contact us for more information.
Explore more of Iceland on one of our many day tour options, from hiking amongst Iceland's volcanoes to glacier tours and horse riding, through to viewing the Northern Lights and soaking in some of Iceland's renowned hot springs, the options are endless. Contact us for more information.
Finding the right travel and rescue insurance for your mountaineering adventure can be tricky! Rest assured when you book with the expedition specialists here at Adventure Consultants we'll help by sending through advice on what you'll need, including:
For further information check out our Travel and Rescue Insurance page or contact us.
The following is to serve as a helpful guideline on our Greenland expeditions. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions. Our team is here to help!
info@adventure.co.nz
NZ: +64 3 443 8711 (Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm PST + 19 hours)
How long has Adventure Consultants been in operation?
Adventure Consultants started in 1990 and we have been guiding internationally ever since. You can read more on the history of Adventure Consultants here.
A few outfitters claim to have the same level of experience and prestige as Adventure Consultants. In this league, what makes you the first choice for expeditions to Greenland?
Adventure Consultants have been expeditioning in the polar regions for over two decades. We are renowned for the quality of service and strategy applied to our expeditions. Our reputation is attributed to the meticulous planning and logistics coordination done by our head office. Once on the ground, you can expect to be well looked after by our guides to that you can relax and enjoy this amazing country. We employ experienced and professional guides, the latest in communications and weather forecasting technology and nutritious and tasty food to ensure you have the best experience on our trips.
What showers and laundry facilities will be available on the expedition?
There are no showers or laundry facilities available during our Greenland expeditions. We advise people to bring wet-wipes for impromptu washes.
Would you let us know what food will be available?
Food is one of the most crucial factors for a successful expedition. We serve nutritious and filling food that will sustain you well.
What is the food like?
Typical meals include warm muesli or bread with various toppings for breakfast, sandwiches with cheese, salami or dried fish for lunch and freeze-dried meals and a simple dessert for dinner. These meals are supplemented with plenty of snacks including chocolate, cookies and dried fruit and nuts.
What are the hotels like?
For our Greenland expeditions, Reykjavik has a wide selection of hotels and guest houses and we are happy to make recommendations according to your preference.
In Tasiilaq we book centrally located mid-range hotels on a twin share basis through our local agents. If you would like your own room, please enquire with our office for pricing. Once on your expedition program, you will be staying in tents and sharing with one other.
Will I be sharing a tent with other climbers? Is a single supplement available?
Single tents are not generally available, due to weight restrictions on the flight to Greenland and heavy load carrying requirements.
Do I need to arrive the day before the trip starts?
Please arrange to arrive on Day 1 of the itinerary to allow sufficient time for your equipment check and briefing prior to the flight to Greenland.
When should I book my ticket?
We generally ask you to wait until 90 days prior to your trip start date to ensure your trip has met the minimum numbers and will operate. If you see a good deal and want to book your flights then ensure you can make changes to your tickets and it is a good idea to purchase trip cancellation insurance, in the event that you need to cancel.
Can I get a cheap ticket online?
We highly recommend purchasing an open, fully changeable air ticket, as trips can be extended by a week or more. Given the remote nature of where we will be, the weather must fall within certain parameters for us to be able to fly. In today’s world there are few places where the environment still affects our plans and Greenland is one of them!
Where do we meet? Will I be picked up?
You should arrange to fly into Reykjavik Keflavik Airport (KEF) in Iceland where you will be able to catch a shuttle transfer to your hotel. Your guide will arrange a time to meet you at your hotel.
What if I am arriving early or departing late?
We can assist you with booking extra hotel room nights if you arrive early. However, on this trip YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO ARRIVE LATE, as if you are delayed or your bags get lost, you will not be able to come on the expedition!
Do you have a recommended list of clothing we should bring?
Yes, you will be sent a personal clothing and equipment list once our office has received your trip registration form and deposit. We do also have a dedicated equipment coordinator who is happy to provide advice and answers to any questions you may have.
Do I really need all the equipment on the equipment list?
Yes, these lists have been carefully prepared and you must bring everything on the list, as there are very limited options if additional equipment needs to be purchased in Reykjavik.
How warm do we need our sleeping bags to be?
This will be clearly stated in your recommended gear list. We highly recommend buying a sleeping bag big enough to allow you to wear some clothes in if it is especially cold.
How much weight do we carry on a Greenland Crossing expedition?
All baggage is transported in sleds made of plastic. At the beginning of the expedition, each member should expect to be hauling approximately 75kg (165lbs). This is the total weight of both the personal and the communal gear (i.e. clothes, sleeping bag, food, fuel, stoves, tents etc.). Towards the end of the expedition, the weight will reduce to approximately 45kg (100lbs) as food is eaten and fuel burnt during the crossing.
How much weight do we carry on Mt Gunnbjörn?
After landing on the glacier we drag our gear on plastic sleds higher up the glacier where we set up camp. From there we climb to the summit carrying a small pack (35-45L) with extra clothes, food, drinks, crampons and ice axe, usually weighing no more than 10kg (22lbs).
How many guides will be assigned to our group?
On the Greenland Crossings, the team will have a minimum size of 4 members plus 1 guide and a maximum size of 8 members plus 2 guides.
Can I contact other climbers or guides on this expedition?
Sure! Before the expedition, contact our office and we can pass on your details to the other climbers. Due to our privacy policy, we leave it up to individual team members as to whether they want to get in touch.
Who goes on your trips?
Our expeditioners come from a wide variety of backgrounds, interests, countries and skill levels ranging from those seeking skill development to purely adventure.
I would like to arrange a private trip, is this possible?
We are happy to arrange a private group trip to the destination of your choice, and even to remote destinations such as Greenland. There is no specific group size, but obviously larger groups are more cost-effective. Please contact the office for more information or visit our Private Customised Expeditions page.
What are the skills/prior experience required for this expedition?
Greenland expeditions are fairly strenuous and prior experience in winter travel and glacier crossing is important. Participants should be physically and mentally prepared for several days out in a remote area where harsh weather and conditions can be expected. A good level of fitness, along with the ability to work as part of a small team are also important, as the nature of these expeditions demands strong team cohesion and commitment.
Members of the Three Peaks of Greenland team should also be strong skiers and cross-country skiing is important for the Greenland Crossing expeditions.
What kind of physical condition should I be in for the expedition?
You should train on a regular basis for at least 3 months prior to the expedition start. It is recommended that you focus on cardiovascular training as the cardiovascular system is constantly stressed whilst on the move. Running and hiking combined with strength, core stability and flexibility training are the best types of exercise to incorporate into your programme.
For the Greenland Crossing expeditions, it is important to ensure long duration aerobic exercise, gradually increasing your endurance to maintain 8 hours of vigorous activity a day for up to 25 days in a row. Core strength is important to make sled hauling easier, as well as shoveling snow when the necessity for building protective walls for the tents arises.
How do I know this is the right trip for me?
We offer trips to suit all levels of ability and ambition, from your first mountain experience to extreme ascents and everything in between. To help you navigate the choices available, our trips are graded by both the level of physical exertion and the level of skill required, allowing you to find your perfect expedition match. These ratings are displayed in the icons at the top of each expedition page, with a further explanation available by clicking on the accompanying question mark. A full run-down of the categories can be found on our Difficulty Ratings page and our team is more than happy to discuss your experience to find the right trip for you.
What type of communication is available on the expedition?
Your expedition guide will have an Iridium satellite phone and you are welcome to use this at US$5 per minute. As we rely on solar power, we cannot guarantee that the phone will be available 24hrs a day. Cold severely affects the system and delays can occur for re-warming. If you anticipate that you may need to make frequent or long calls then please make arrangements before the expedition through our office.
I want to contact my friend or relative, who is on one of your trips, how can I reach them?
The Adventure Consultants NZ office receives updates from our guides while they are in the field. The best place to reach a loved one is through our office.
Will there be any power source for charging batteries, etc. available throughout the trek? What voltage requirements?
We take a small solar charging system on the expedition. This is used to charge the satellite phone as a priority, but may be used for other gadgets if sufficient power is available. Ensure your gadgets are able to be charged by USB or 12V car charger. We do NOT recommend bringing rechargeable digital cameras; they tend to run out when power is not available. Use cameras with replaceable batteries and we recommend lithium batteries. We can cater for special power requirements at an extra cost - please enquire with our office.
What weather report service do you use and how often do you receive a weather reports?
During the expedition, your guide will receive weather updates from our local team in Reykjavik as well as updates from the Adventure Consultants office.
What insurance do we need to get?
In addition to evacuation and medical insurance, we recommend that our expedition members buy trip cancellation insurance upon sign up for the expedition. We also highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy to provide cover for trip interruption, baggage loss, damage or theft, delayed flights or other such incidents that may occur during your trip. Contact us for expedition insurance advice or visit our designated webpage here.
Do I need evacuation insurance?
Evacuation insurance whilst on the climb is included in the expedition fee but is limited to cover legitimate accident only and evacuation is to the nearest port within Greenland. We require expedition members to carry additional insurance for evacuation and repatriation as well as normal travel medical expenses.
Who do you recommend for insurance?
You will be sent information specific to your expedition as part of your welcome package. Requirements differ depending on where you are travelling and your home location, so be sure to discuss cover with your Client Liaison before purchasing a policy.
What is trip cancellation insurance?
Trip cancellation insurance is an option that may allow you to cancel your trip without losing the total cost of the trip. Adventure Consultants highly recommends cancellation insurance for all expeditions. If circumstances cause us to cancel a trip (e.g. minimum numbers are not reached) then we refund your fees paid but trip cancellation insurance covers your airfare and any other costs you may have incurred.
Can I pay by credit card?
We can accept both the trip deposit and balance payment on credit card. Please note that there is a 3% fee for all card transactions. Please contact our office or visit our online payment system.
What is included in the cost of my trip? Does it include airfare?
Please see the 'Payment Conditions' section above for the inclusions and exclusions for this particular trip. There is also a downloadable pdf document in the 'Trip Notes' section above. International airfares are not included in the trip price. We can, however, recommend excellent travel agents with whom we have worked should you require help with arranging your international airfare.
Why are you sometimes more expensive than other operators?
Many of our trips are very similar in price to our competitors. Some companies even wait for us to set our prices and use ours as a guideline!! Some of our main selling points, which sometimes do cost more, are internationally qualified Western guides, proven dependable local operators, small group sizes and safe client-to-guide ratios, quality equipment and high summit success rates, among other things. You do get what you pay for which is why we stand out from the rest. Many clients come to us after failing on one of our competitors ‘cheaper’ trips.
How do I sign up for a trip?
The best way to reserve your space on a trip is to contact our office or complete our online booking form (click 'Book Now' below). Your deposit can be submitted by bank transfer (please see 'Payment Details' in the 'Payment Conditions' section above) or via our secure online payment system.
info@adventure.co.nz
NZ: +64 3 443 8711 (Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm PST + 19 hours)
Arnaud de Laveleye
Dispatches - Greenland Crossing 2016
Dispatches - Greenland Crossing 2014
Dispatches - Greenland Crossing 2012
