Greenland Crossing Expeditions and Ice Cap Crossings

Greenland (Creative Commons Pixabay)

By Jenny Andrew

The development of new areas by Greenland expedition groups from Great Britain has resulted in much more travel, exploration and ascents in the Kronprins Frederik Bjerge, the Lemon Bjerge, the many peaks round the Kangerdluassuaq Basin, the Watkins Bjerge, and areas behind the Blosseville Coast such as the Rignys Bjerg mountains, Lindbergh Fjelde, the Gronau Nunatakker, the mountains of Knud Rasmussen Land and the remote peaks of the aptly named Camp Icefield. Further north still, within the Greenland National Park area, more British groups have been very active climbing in Goodenough Land, Louise Boyd’s Land, the Martin Knudsens and Niels Holgersens Nunatakker and Dronning Louise Land, A major factor in these recent developments since the early nineties has been the role of Paul Walker and his logistics operation, Tangent Expeditions International, which by co-ordination of air operations has facilitated access for many expeditions into these more remote areas during the 1990's and 2000's. 

Further south, the Schweizerland region continues to be a major draw for Greenland expedition groups with continuing development of high standard rock climbing, and increasingly the seeking out of big wall climbing as seen in the Fox Jaw Cirque above Tasiilaq Fjord, and on prominent peaks like Tupilak by the September 16 Glacier. The Staunings alps too, continue to exercise their hold on those seeking demanding alpine climbing. These trends seem likely to persist, alongside a growing interest in ski-touring and ski-mountaineering. Many previously unclimbed and unexplored mountain ranges still exist throughout east and northeast Greenland, containing literally thousands of remaining unclimbed summits. 

The last few years have also seen the first signs of development of winter Arctic mountaineering expeditions in Greenland, an exciting and challenging prospect. In March 2004 Paul Walker led an international team of climbers who attempted the first ever winter ascent of Gunnbjørnsfjeld, the highest mountain in the Arctic at 3,693m. Forced back by temperatures in the -40's and strong winds and frightening windchill on the summit ridge it will no doubt only be a matter of time before this, and numerous other peaks, begin to attract and receive true winter ascents. Indeed Paul Walker and Team Tangent returned to the mountain in March 2006 to make a successful winter Greenland expedition attempt from the north side of the mountain. Thus, although Greenland’s many and varied mountains lack the altitude of the Himalaya or the Andes, their remoteness and likeness to Antarctica, and the promise of new ascents will go on attracting those who search for the rewards of exploration and attainment of new mountaineering experiences as the 21st Century marches on. 

Most ice cap expedition routes cross the Greenland icecap from Isortoq to Kangerlussuaq for two simple reasons …. ease of access and price. To embark on such a major polar journey is indeed a privilege and a great achievement. Some leaders continue to support, guide and offer unbiased advice to all those who wish to take part in these expeditions. However there is much more to the ice cap crossing than just one straight line route. There are numerous, alternative Greenland crossing routes across the glacier, with far more exciting starting points in remote and largely unclimbed mountains ranges further north and up the east coast.



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