Author Archive for: comms@nzaht.org

They’ve battled hurricane conditions, heavy snowfalls and illness, but the 6-person Antarctic Heritage Trust Inspiring Explorers’ Expedition has reached the finish line of their 560-kilometre crossing of the Greenland ice cap. They made the journey on skis while pulling 60-kilogram supply sleds behind them. The New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust selected four young explorers for the expedition from a pool of nearly 200 applicants. Two Kiwis; Brando Yelavich (24) and Hollie Woodhouse (33) and two Australians; Bridget Kruger (30) and Keith Parsons (28). They were joined by AHT Executive Director Nigel Watson and Ousland Polar Exploration master polar guide Bengt […]

After nearly a month on the ice, we can safely say the Inspiring Explorers are going to be looking forward to a hot shower. In his account of the first crossing of Greenland, Nansen described the sight of the men, as they fought their way across the interior of the ice cap. “We were a remarkable sight by daylight next morning. Our complexions, hitherto comparatively fair, and washed moderately clean by wind and weather, had undergone a complete transformation. In places the incrustations of soot were so thick that they could be scraped off with a knife. All wrinkles and […]

From Bengt: This morning we met up with the English team, and decided we ski down together to join forces in the heavy snow we are having at the moment. We had snow and whiteout conditions throughout the day. It’s hard going in the front, but nice at the back. Now we have 29km left to the magic point on top of the icefall. Spirit is high and we are looking forward to seeing the first mountains!

From Bengt: Long and nice day. Sunny and no wind. Today we walked 11 hours and some. That gave us 34.7km! We followed the tracks from yesterday, bumped into the camp of our English friends just before the last leg. We silently passed since it looked like they already had gone to bed. We skied another 3-4km before setting up camp Conditions are gettin’ better minute by minute, right now actually not too bad. Going to bed now at 15 minutes to 0200.

From Bengt: Lots of snow, powder that would have been great in a slope, not so good for us. We still managed 31.6kms. We are happy about that! Going to bed now, a lot of the same tomorrow, and another 11.5 hours are waiting in a bit.