** GREENLAND POLAR EXPEDITION **

LIVERPOOL LAND  (Scoresby Sound fjord)
Arctic Mountaineering and Ski Touring expedition to Liverpool Land

A fantastic opportunity to explore on skis and make rare ski and mountaineering ascents and descents of remote arctic summits in this amazing and rarely visited region of the High Arctic. A fabulous and beautiful arctic vista of alpine peaks, immense glaciers and ice berg filled fjords. A genuine opportunity for first ascents, true exploration and more stable weather than it's counterpart village of Kulusuk in the south east. Suitable for ski tourers, snowboarders with split boards, or mountain walkers and mountaineers. Why not join us for the true arctic expedition experience. Alpine peaks, virgin summits, ice bergs and fresh powder!

Ski touring through the region will involve opportunities to travel on a variety of terrain including icecaps, glaciers, valleys and sea ice. The small and dedicated team will depart from Constable Point by snowmobile with an aim to establish base camp in the Sødal valley where easy access can be gained on to the Bjering Pedersens icecap. This high icecap offers access to numerous peaks with unparalleled views of other alpine summits, glaciers and the ice berg studded east coast. Camping will be in full snow and winter conditions throughout. The expedition is open to cross country, nordic and alpine ski tourers of all ability levels. Those with more limited ski experience are also welcome to join this expedition which involves no technical skills in the hauling of pulk sledges so long as participants have good overall fitness and sufficient camping experience. Snow shoes can be used on some of the ascents, whilst many of the ascents will be on foot. Those with more experience are of course welcome to make ski ascents and descents of their own choosing, subject to general snow, avalanche and safety considerations.

Tangent Expeditions is the leading authority on mountaineering expeditions to Greenland and has previously organised eight expeditions to Liverpool Land. Tangent remains committed to running such expeditions on minimal margins to allow people to appreciate the true and awe inspiring beauty of these remote polar regions.

Transport Logistics & Itinerary

The group will meet at our guesthouse in Reykjavik on the expedition start date before taking a flight to Constable Point in north east Greenland the next morning. The expedition food and equipment will be sent as air freight to Constable Point in advance.  From here the group will meet up with our newly acquired fleet of snowmobiles and guides and head out over the frozen upper section of Hurry Fjord to establish base camp in the Sødal valley. This gives excellent and easy glacier access to the Bjering Pedersens icecap and surrounding peaks. The itinerary from here is then very much at the group's discretion according to personal preferences and weather considerations.

Food

Accommodation in Iceland is provided on a Bed & Breakfast basis, and other meals are not included in Iceland. Expedition food will be provided on a full board basis for the time spent on expedition in Greenland. This will include camping style food during transit at Constable Point airport. If clients choose to eat in the airport canteen this is not included and should be paid for locally in Danish crowns or by credit/debit card.

Daylight Hours

There will be 24 hour daylight throughout this expedition. At this time of year sunsets and sunrises merge in to one long beautiful display of colour.

Weather

Liverpool Land typically enjoys good periods of stable weather during April. We would however normally expect snowfall at least once in a 2 week expedition but conditions can range from no snowfall at all up to 30cm over a few days. The sun is very strong and day/night time temperatures will range from 0 to -10 degrees C. As a dry cold, and with little wind, it usually feels significantly warmer than the air temperature suggests.  Prevailing winds are usually northerly in this region which can result in significant wind chill.

Level of Camping

The expedition will involve camping in snow conditions on permanently snow covered glaciers and terrain throughout. During periods of snowfall it will sometimes be necessary to 'dig out' your tent and maintain good overall camp organisation and camp craft skills. In contrast, on warm calm days it will be possible to sit outside. The group will camp in tent pairs will be expected to cook their own food as tent teams.

Experience & Fitness Required

Ski/mountain climbing days will typically be 5-8 hours depending on weather and terrain. The ascents will involve easy angle ski ascents/descents on large glaciers where crevasses can usually be avoided. The team will travel largely un-roped on the non glaciated terrain and flat glaciers and icecaps, except on occasions on steeper glaciers where the guide feels it appropriate to rope up due to crevasse risk. Good general hill walking fitness and camping and organisational skills are important. Pulk sled hauling is not technical and can be picked up quite easily. Good ski glide technique will however prove energy saving! Clients should be fit enough to carry out the equivalent of 6-8 hour mountain walking days.

Extreme Clothing

There is no requirement for more specific extreme clothing other than normal Scottish winter or summer alpine clothing and boots. This should of course include windproof jackets and trousers/salopettes. An insulated down jacket is recommended.

Equipment Provision

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

Clients will need to provide your own large rucksack/travel bag, 50+ litre daysack, sleeping bag suitable for -20'c, inflatable sleeping mattress (& repair kit), foam sleeping mattress, water/windproof jacket and trousers, suitable ski touring/Telemark/split board skis and boots, ski poles, skins, spare skin glue, avalanche transceiver, avalanche probe, crampons, full winter clothing, insulated jacket (optional), expedition gloves/hat/balaclava, 100% UV sun glasses, 100% UV snow goggles, 1 litre metal flask, 1 litre water bottle, eating/drinking cup/bowl/utensils, pee (toilet) bottle, multi-tool knife, harness, helmet, 5 x screwgate karabiners, ice axe & hammer, GPS (optional), compass. Certain equipment is available to hire here.

Expedition Dates

The expedition dates are currently somewhat flexible and can be altered to best suit the group.

Insurance

Please see our insurance site www.insuregreenland.com for details.

Expedition Leader

The expedition leader will be Paul Platt. Paul is a qualified Mountaineering Instructor (MIC) and has ascents of Denali (Mount McKinley), Ama Dablam, and big walls in Yosemite and Zion in the States, under his belt. Paul also led a successful trip to climb unclimbed peaks in South America and in 2008 led Tangent’s Watkins Mountains expedition, with all clients successfully climbing the three highest peaks in the Arctic. In the Lake District Paul runs two successful outdoor companies and is currently Chair of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI).

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.

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