Milne Land

In summer 2010 we will return to the beautiful and remote Arctic island of Milne Land for our third summer trekking expedition to this region. Impressive alpine peaks, summits and ridges, immense glaciers, ice bergs, arctic fauna and flora .... this region of Greenland really has got everything. Even a large icecap of it's own known as "Puderne" meaning 'The Cushions'. You are unlikely to see any other human beings for the full duration of your tour, such is the remoteness of this island, and only a handful of people have ever ventured in to its interior. Situated in the inner reaches of Scoresbysund, the largest fjord in the world, the island is in such a wonderful and sheltered location that it benefits from long periods of warm and settled weather; far superior to the more populated Kulusuk and Ammassalik region of southeast Greenland. Milne Land is one of Greenland's newest and least frequented trekking gems, still waiting to be fully explored. The interior holds many summits and glaciers that have never been climbed or explored. From every location on this tour you will have spectacular views of the ice filled Scoresbysund fjord with it's stunning ice bergs stranded on both the beach and, a few kms to the north east, in the shallows of the Bear Islands.

Base camp

5km north west of Bregne Point on the northeast shoreline of Milne Land. Approx. position N70'57 W25'30

Access

The group will meet in Reykjavik before flying the next morning over the ice filled Denmark Straits up to the remote outpost of Constable Point in north east Greenland. From here onward we will travel by privately chartered boat to base camp, taking several hours for the journey and traveling through brash ice and past huge ice bergs. The sailing journeys will be aboard "Polar bear", an ice strengthened 72ft ex.BT Global Challenge round the world racing yacht.

Base camp will be established at the landing point on the coast from where day walks will be made to explore the surrounding area. Once the group have a good feel for the area and have identified further objectives for the remainder of the trip, the group will likely move base camp once. From advance base camp this will allow access to further inland trekking peaks, coastal walks and glacier exploration.

Daylight Hours

There will be 24 hour daylight and the Midnight Sun throughout this expedition.

Weather

Milne Land typical enjoys long periods of very stable and dry weather during the summer months, with only light winds and low humidity. It therefore usually feels significantly warmer than the air temperatures suggest.

Level of Camping

The expedition will involve camping in summer arctic conditions on dry ground with daytime temperatures between 10'c and 16'c and night time temperatures down to 5'c. Individuals and tent pairs will be expected to cook their own food as tent teams.

Experience Required

The group will embark on day walks which will usually be of around 6-8 hours but may on rare occasions be up to 10 hours. Occasionally walks may include small amounts of low grade scrambling if required and the leader will be carry a rope and suitable protection to safe guard any such sections. No rock climbing experience is required. There is no requirement to join the group on all walks and there is flexibility to split the group on some days, subject to the leader's assurance that sub groups are adequately experienced to operate independently.

Equipment Provision

Tangent will provide North Face tents, floor insulation, MSR stoves, fuel bottles, fuel cans, fuel funnels, stove spares kits, lighters, pans, white gas fuel, food, toilet paper, toilet digging tool, maps & aerial reconnaissance photos, GPS, group survival shelter, emergency flares, PLB (emergency locator beacon), rifle & ammunition (Polar Bear deterrent), VHF air band radio, walkie talkie radios, satellite telephone & solar re-charging system, base camp medical kit, mountain first aid, general spares and repair kit, ropes & scrambling/climbing/crevasse equipment for security on steep ground and glacier travel.

Clients will need to provide their own large rucksack/travel bag, 40+ litre daysack for day walks, sleeping bag rated to 0'c, sleeping mattress, water/windproof jacket and trousers, good quality walking boots, ice axe, lightweight crampons, hat/gloves, 100% UV sun glasses, 1 litre metal flask, 1 litre water bottle, eating/drinking cup/bowl/utensils, compass, knife, GPS or compass, walking poles (optional).

Price Includes

2 night’s guesthouse accommodation in Iceland (twin rooms); transfers between guesthouse and Reykjavik domestic airport; return flights to Greenland; return boat transport to Milne Land; guide’s fees; permits; cargo shipment fees (group equipment); customs fees; expedition food; import tax on food; group equipment as listed above.

There will be an option to spend your first and last night aboard Polar bear with full board accommodation, rather than on land, if you prefer. Supplement is £150.

Price Does Not Include

International flights to/from Iceland; airport transfer from Keflavik to Reykjavik guesthouse; excess baggage charges; meals in Iceland (breakfast is included); single room supplement or room upgrades to en suite; rental of helmet, harness, ice axe, crampons; accommodation/meals at Constable Point (if chosen, camping is free); satellite telephone calls (£3 per minute, or part of).

Insurance

We can arrange insurance with our partners P J Hayman. Please contact our office for latest details.

Group Size

Min 5  (including leader)  Max 10

Sea Ice Conditions

Due to fluctuating sea ice conditions Tangent reserves the right to alter the itinerary to visit Liverpool Land if extensive late season sea ice means it is not possible to sail to Milne Land.

Leader

The expedition will be led by Jim Gregson, one of the most experienced Greenland expeditioners around. Jim has both taken part in, and led, numerous Tangent expeditions since 1991 and knows almost everything there is to know about mountaineering and exploration in east Greenland. He's completed dozens of first ascents in the Greenland mountains including the Caledonian Alps, Pourqoui Pas Glacier, Champs Elysees glacier, Kronprins Frederik Bjerge, Watkins Mountains, Rignys Bjerg mountains, Liverpool Land, Milne Land, Petermanns Bjerg, Shackletons Bjerg and Paul Stern Land. Jim has led two of our previous summer trekking expeditions to Milne Land.

Personal Service - all prospective clients are welcome to visit us at our home in Cumbria or Paul Walker will travel to any part of the mainland UK free of charge to meet with you and discuss the expedition in more detail and show you maps and photographs. We believe this benchmark service is offered by no other expedition travel company and supports our commitment to providing an ultimate level of high quality personal service.