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Ice Cap Expedition book here
15 Days
This expedition across the Inland ice is a unique opportunity to enter into one of the most mysterious and infrequently visited places on the planet. One of the few places in the world where the word "unexplored": appears on the map. Inland ice or Greenland’s interior ice field is an enormous glacier, which measures 2,500 Km. from North to South and 1,000 Km. East to West. In some areas the ice is 3,000 m. thick. It was crossed for the first time in 1888 by the Norwegian, Nansen, since then, less people have crossed it than have climbed Everest.
The crossing leaves from the coast to climb, on foot, the interior plateau, which is crossed at an altitude of about 1,000 m. we have to cross areas of ravines, crevasses, rough ice, as well as glacial lakes and rivers. We can find Nunataks and moraine which cannot be seen from the coast, all of this with the double landscape of the plateau stretching as far as the eye can see and looking back towards the coast to enjoy a superb view of the complex system of fjords, mountains and ice-floes. After spending 100 Km. and a totally isolated environment, with only ourselves for company, we will be picked up by a helicopter and flight over the amazing ice towards Narsarsuaq.
DAILY ITINERARY
Day 1. Viking Greenland
Flight Copenhagen–Narsarsuaq
Reception in the airport and transfer in RIB boat through Tunulliarfik Fjord, usually covered by icebergs, to Qassiarsuk. Walk through the village of about 100 inhabitants, mostly farmers, comprising the old Brattahlid, capital of Viking Greenland, and where Eric the Red settled in 985 at the start of the colonisation of the barbarian peoples.
Optional: Brattahlid reconstructions. Guided visit to the original ruins from Erik the Red, and a replica of the original chapel and longhouse.
Accommodation in Hostel
Day 2: Qaleraliq Fjord
We will set off for Qaleraliq camp, navigating along Tunulliarfik fjord among numerous icebergs. We will stop at Narsaq to visit the third most populated town in South Greenland, with about 1700 inhabitants. You will have free time to visit the local market, fur shops… and go for a walk or do some shopping, before boarding again to navigate towards the Inland Ice. We will set up the camp on a sandy beach, which contrasts with a spectacular view of two glacier fronts from Qaleraliq’s glacier. We will spend the night at the camp, allowing our senses to enjoy the unbelievable views and the thunderclap roar of the icefall from seracs.
Day 3: Entrance to the Ice
We will situate very close to the Ice, on one of the extremes of the Glacier Front. As we start to climb up the glacier and we enter the ice-field, in this first area, we come across ravines which can be crossed easily as well as moving ice. We return to solid ground to skirt an area of crevasses and we reach a height of 300 meters where we find an area of wet snow. The march continues along the ice passing a lake full of black icebergs until we reach the campsite, in the middle of snow but not too far from solid ground.
Days 4 to 10. Ascension to Plateau
Gradual climb up to the plateau, where conditions are unpredictable and depend a lot on previous snowfall and temperatures. It is most likely that the first thing we come across is an area of fissures and ravines which can easily be crossed. Then, an area of living ice, and later, a drainage area which is covered in glacial lakes of ice and water. The snow-covered plateau is reached and we travel on skis. After three days travelling we come across a hidden Nunatak, a rocky out-crop in the middle of the ice, totally unseen from any other point, a magical and mysterious place which can’t be approached due to the various crevasses which surround it.
Continuing our passage eastwards we find Aputaiutseq, a type of ice-peak, which can be seen rising out of the ice from a distance. This is our destination. We will ski towards the base of this magical Matterhorn.
This part is done on skis and pulks, depending on the time of year and the conditions. The nights are spent on tents. Throughout the whole trip you can see the plateau on one side and a panoramic view of fjords, mountains, glaciers and drift-ice on the other, with visibility up to 100 Km.
Days 11 and 12. Aputaiutseq
Base Camp at Aputaiutseq Nunatak. If it is possible, we will set the camp up on a rocky surface. Excursions around the mountain. We will not climb it due to its technical difficulty, although if there are experienced climbers on the team we might try an attempt.
Day 13. Helicopter Fly
A helicopter will pick us up from here to Qassiarsuk. Impressive breathtaking views, rivers and lakes of water and ice, glaciers, hidden mountains, crags, fjords…
Night at the Leif Eriksson Hostel.
Day 14. Tasiusaq, the “Iceberg’s Bay”
Walk to Tasiusaq farm, where seven people live in notable isolation next to Sermilik fjord, which is almost always blocked by the ice from icebergs coming from Eqaloruutsit glacier. Later we can go arctic salmon fishing or for a walk in the region.
Optional: Kayak excursion in the “Iceberg Bay”
A 2 hour sea kayaking trip for beginners among icebergs and ice in one of the safest and best place in the whole Greenland.
Accommodation in Hostel
Farewell dinner, with typical Inuit products, whale, seal, caribou, mattak… and night at the Leif Eriksson Hostel.
Day 15. Qooroq Ice Fjord and Copenhagen
Optional: Qooroq Ice Fjord
Transfer Qassiarsuk-Narsarsuaq on a RIB boat. Free time to visit Narsarsuaq. Flight Narsarsuaq-Copenhagen
NOTE: This itinerary is a unique journey, designed and organised by Tasermiut, South Greenland Expeditions. It is a real expedition, with a spirit of discovery and adventure. The route can be done as it is explained above or in reverse order. The order of the activities may not be exactly as planned in this outline. Greenland is the wildest country in the northern hemisphere, infrastructures are almost non-existent and logistics pose enormous challenges. For this reason, we may not follow this daily itinerary exactly as planned. It is subject to change in order to adapt the journey to the weather conditions, sea conditions, or technical and organisational difficulties, and it therefore requires flexibility in the traveller.
Weight to be transported per person is about 30-35 kg, with the aid of pulks. There will be one pulk per person.
Most of the ski part, the group will be tied together, and in some points it might be necessary to use crampons.
Due to presence of water in various areas, most of the traverse will be done with over boots, adapted to each participant’s boots.
Nights will be spent on tents.
Reservations:
booking@tasermiut.com
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