The extraordinary part of this expedition
is based around a well put together team covering 350 miles of sea ice, frozen mountains
and long days of human endurance. No other polar expedition organisation in the
world covers the ground you will. This is truly a challenge waiting to be explored.
To live and move through the Canadian high arctic for up to 4 weeks requires a decent
standard of physical fitness - and a high degree of mental toughness. If you feel
you're up to the challenge, then this is the expedition for you.
The expedition will travel to the southern shores of Ellesmere Island (also known
as the Horizontal Everest) eventually arriving at the remote Grise Fiord, home to
the most northerly Inuit settlement the planet.
The journey starts from Resolute bay, an Inuit outpost lying in
the foot hills of Cornwallis Island. Historically a beacon for polar explorers from
all over the world. Flying in to Cornwallis and seeing the ice flows and landlocked
snow covered Islands below you begin to realise how detached you are from your normal
existence.
The first few days will be spent acclimatising and preparing for
the trip. This will give us the opportunity to fine tune techniques learnt during
the UK training sessions - this time in temoeratures below zero. Expect the unexpected
as the journey is pre-planned but the days spent on ice will have its twists with
ice rubble, high winds and polar bear encounters. You will be trained for all eventualities
Once ready we will then take our first steps and begin our journey.
Lead by two SBX guides, we'll head around the coast line of Cornwallis along
the North West passage and out of sight of civilisation. Now operating on our own
we will spend the next few weeks working as a team. This expedition has been put
together not only for its joining of the two furthest Inuit settlements in northern
Canada, but for the route that the team will encounter. Each morning you will step
out of your tent into a white frozen landscape of snow covered mountains, pans of
endless ice and deep blue skies that sit as a stunning backdrop to the cliffs of
Ellesmere Island.
At times we will be tested across land and along sea ice. Crossing Devon
Island and heading into Jones sound and now into our stride we will head towards
our goal. Day after day of working together the site of Gris Fiord in the distance
will stir a sense of achievement and pride with in you.
A small twin otter plane will be our journey back, covering the route we
have travelled across. A great chance to appreciate what you have actually achieved
from the air. A hot shower, cooked food and a day’s rest will await us on our return
to Resolute.
Ottawa will be our stepping stone back home and a chance to celebrate our acheivements
as a team, over a champagne dinner.
Expedition Summary
The Expedition will be leaving every year in April/May time.
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Day 1
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Depart UK to Ottawa – Canada. Hotel.
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Day 2
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Depart Ottawa to Cornwallis Island – High Arctic. Hotel.
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Day 3
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Acclimatization and arctic training. See training section for details.
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Day 4
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Training and preparation for expedition. Hotel.
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Day 5
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Final day's training with last minute checks. Hotel
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Day 6
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Start of the expedtion!
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The amount of time allocated for the expedition is 20 days. Remember, this is flexible
depending on the weather and team progress.
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Day 26
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Grise Fiord to Resolute Bay. Hotel.
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Day 27
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Rest day back in civilisation and a chance to take in some of the sights of Resolute
Bay.
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Day 28
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Depart Cornwallis Island to Ottawa. Hotel.
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Day 29
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Depart Ottawa to UK.
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Payment details
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Total cost of expedition (excl. flights listed below) includes all
UK training and flght from Grise Fjord:
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£8500
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Flights
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UK to Ottawa:
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£500
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Ottawa to Cornwallis Island:
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£1500
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All flight costs are approximate and depend on current airline
prices.