Trip Reports

Greenland Explorer - 18 April to 7 May '08

Written by Team Member, June 2008

Where do you go to get an unspoilt, alpine environment with a fantastic climate without any altitude or the usual jetlag problems? Greenland! This is one the most beautiful mountain environments where snow covered mountains and glaciers dip right down to the frozen sea ice. We had 15 days camped at the base of the mountains and with only 2 days of poor weather we managed to climb 8 peaks and make 4 extended journeys travelling on skis. The dog sleds dropped us off at our campsite and then we were completely self sufficient until they collected us at the end of the trip, when we were “taxied” back on sleds. A unique experience as the dogs are keen to scrap with any other dogs within sniffing distance and are prone to take the most direct line between A and B which can all lead to an exciting ride!

Being self sufficient meant we had to dig into our campsite and construct protective block walls around our two man tents and the dining tent. This lead to a certain amount of friendly rivalry in the quality of the block work and the “crepee” finish which would have been the envy of any building site. Our dining tent had a sunken foot well and a central snow table for boiling water for our dehydrated meals which were varied and tasty. As each tent had a bag of day packs of food, it meant that we could choose our “menu” for the day. Generally, all were involved in collecting snow, lighting stoves and melting snow for water. The loo is dug away from the tents with its own wall for privacy and is most hygienic. As the Arctic summer starts at the beginning of May, on the second trip we were aware of environmental changes. The visible tundra was starting to sprout new growth and there were masses of crowberries around which meant that we were daily visited by curious Ptarmigan and snowbuntings were a common sight.

The first group, in the first half of April, had very cold weather and more snow than we did, but like us, managed 8 mountains. For most of our mountain trips we travelled on skis and then , when necessary, we continued on foot to our summits. We then descended with varying degrees of competence on skis. For some this was often a glorious run of anything from two to three miles back to the campsite, whilst for others it was an opportunity to doggedly practice linked snowplough turns. On the second trip we had icier conditions which on the very hot sunny days meant spring snow on a firm base. Having been on Jagged Globe trips to the Antarctic, Africa, America and Asia, Greenland Explorer stands out as the most complete mountain experience, being truly independent, that is without the usual entourage of porters, cooks etc, and having the opportunity to travel and explore an unspoilt environment is a highlight in any mountaineer’s life.

Sue Walsh« Previous report | Next report »

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