Trip Reports

Greenland Explorer - 27 Mar to 13 Apr '09

Written by Leader Dave Walsh, April 2009

We had a great trip - this was the unanimous verdict from the group of 9 climbers who left for an early flight back to the UK this morning. We had just spent 14 days together in the S.E. of Greenland, starting from the small village of Kulasuk (population around 400). After 2 nights accommodation in the village, which enabled us to spend time sorting gear and having a day tour to a local peak which gave everyone the opportunity to try out some previously unused kit. We then spent the next 11 days travelling to various peaks from two separate base camps. These camps were selected by the 2 guides in consultation with the local Inuit dog-team drivers who have intimate knowledge of the sea ice conditions from their frequent hunting trips, mostly for seal and occasionally polar bear! (we carried a gun)

We were pulled behind the sledges on our skis for around 20Km to our first camp. This is a fantastic way to watch the Greenland landscape unfold. This method of travel saves much flat skinning time but it's not without the odd exciting moment when the dogs, always looking for a scrap with other dogs will take the occasional skiers ankle as compensation if other dogs are out of reach! Arrival at our camp, situated on a low laying peninsular was overlooking the sea ice, frozen in icebergs beyond which lay the pack ice and open water. Three hours or so spent digging in our tents is hard work but well worth the effort if strong winds threaten to remove the tents from Greenland during the night. The forecast was for stable, if overcast conditions, with light winds for the next few days. With this good forecast we were able to climb 5 peaks from this base, all offering varied skiing and climbing opportunities for the groups abilities. The views from them all can be breathtaking.

At a pre-arranged time the dogs were back to take us to our next camp. This was about 3 hours away, but this time high on a nearby glacier. More digging (some competition here) set up another perfect base for another 5 peaks, some skiing and others with exposed ridges. This trip achieved more ascents than any of the previous ones, due to the stable weather we experienced throughout the time in Greenland, when no days were lost to the weather. Beautiful though it is, Greenland is anything but predictable, with temperatures ranging from -25C to +5C with high winds and heavy snowfall, all features of previous visits here. So another successful visit to this memorable part of the world in the good company of a satisfied group of Jagged Globe climbers.

Special thanks must go to Lorenz our Swiss guide who has been the main organiser in country of all previous explorer trips and to the helpful people of Kulasuk.

Dave Walsh, expedition leader

13/04/09« Previous report | Next report »

Jagged Globe Newsletter

We publish an email newsletter with trip reports and latest availability, plus features, competitions and general news of our climbing, trekking & skiing activities.