|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arctic Expeditions 2004
Last updated: Nov 1 2004
Note: List is preliminary and can be subject to change
Please note: Did we forget you or your friends?
Mail us at:
team@explorersweb.com |
|
|
North Pole Unsupported Expeditions 2004 |
|
|
Arctic Crossing 2004, solo and unsupported |
Expedition aborted |
In the year of 2000, Rune Gjeldnes and Torry Larsen set out on an
epic journey from Siberia to cross the Arctic ocean. The guys lost
their sleds, gear and finally staggered back on land in North Canada
- as "dead men walking." The doctor's of a small research station
that examined them on arrival said that Rune and Torry were only 48
hours away from death. They had been out for 109 days.
Now, the Arctic ocean holds one last challenge for man: Repeat what
Rune and Torry did, but go it alone.
Ben Saunders is set out to do just that - ski
unsupported and solo across the Arctic Ocean. The expedition starts
in Cape Arktichevsky, Russia, passes the geographic North Pole and
ends in Canada. Ben skied the last degree in 2003 and was part of a
guided, aborted NP expedition a few years earlier. If successful, Ben will be the first man to do this
trip unsupported and solo.
May 13, Ben decided to get off the ice. 74
days earlier he had left from 36 nautical miles off the coast of
Cape Arkticheskiy, reached the North Pole after opting for a few
drops, one of them from the plane that was hired privately to search
for Dominick. As Cerpolex had closed services, Ben hired Canadian
Borek Air for the return flight, skied a few days towards Canada and
then aborted.
www.transarctic.org |
|
|
Polar double header, solo and unsupported, USA |
Expedition aborted |
Late Feb/early March 2004 Wave Vidmar will ski unsupported and solo
to the North Pole from Cape Arktichevksy in Russia.
Only Borge Ousland made this trip solo before, in 1994, and no
American have ever skied unsupported to the North Pole.
After his North Pole bid, Wave will head straight for a South Pole
unsupported attempt in October this year, for a NP/SP solo and
unsupported double header - a world first. Wave is new to the
polar areas but trained in Alaska earlier this year.
Wave left from 36 nautical miles off the coast
of Cape Arkticheskiy and was airlifted out before the North Pole on
April 24. The main reason was that Cerpolex decided to close Borneo
already April 29. The teams were not dropped on the ice until March
5 this year. To make it to the Pole on the 29th they would have had
to ski it in 55 days. The historic range for North Pole unsupported
expeditions is 52 to 90 days, with an average of 62 days.
Apparently financial reasons between Cerpolex and the local
outfitters were behind both the late fly out and the early shut down
of Borneo. It does happen at times, that due to weather - or other
reasons, flights out to Arctic/Antarctica are delayed. In those
situations, expeditions are granted an extended return date. Not
this time. Wave couldn't afford Ben's Canadian option and was forced
to abort one week short of the Pole.
www.northpolesolo.com |
|
|
North Pole Solo and unsupported, France |
Expedition aborted |
Frédéric Chamard-Boudet will try to become the first French solo to
the North Pole without resupplies. He has earlier crossed Greenland
among other preparation trips. If all goes well, Ben better watch
out; Frédéric is out to attempt the same Arctic crossing in 2005.
Frederic narrowly escaped death. Skiing a
section of thin ice without his survival suit on (the suit slows the
skier down) the ice broke and Frederic fell into the water. The
skier spent 4 minutes in the freezing ocean before being able to
haul himself up amidst the thin ice. Having lost his skies in the
fall, Frederic managed to remain a float and escape death on his
sledge. Frostbite had already affected his hands and feet. At 5h47 (UTC),
Frederic sent off his distress signal requesting an helicopter
rescue. The Russians managed to the rescue Frederic early next
morning.
www.transpolair.com |
|
North Pole Supported Expeditions 2004 |
|
|
Dominick Arduin, solo |
Explorer Lost |
In Spring of 2004, French woman and current Finnish resident
Dominick Arduin will embark for a solo expedition to the North Pole
from the Russian side. She will use one re-supply. Dominick
made an attempt last year, but it was cut short after she fell
through the ice and into the Arctic Ocean. Dominick suffered
severe frostbite to her feet and had to be evacuated.
"I want a real expedition, not this %^&*
bullshit," said Dominick after she had been airlifted with the other
teams 36 nautical miles towards the pole. She came back with the
plane to the proper starting point - the coast of Russia. An avid
canoeist living in Arctic Finland, Dominick brought 10 kg of snow
with her for fresh water, a canoe and a dry suit. The next day, a
full moon rose. Several North Pole teams reported issues with their
ARGOS positioning beacon. Dominick's beacon transmitted only faint
signals. The full moon and an approaching storm both set the Arctic
ocean in motion, breaking up the ice with the pans colliding in a
dark, cold torrent. Somewhere, in the midst of it all, was a brave,
little French/Finnish girl who refused to compromise her goals. A
frantic search for her was organized by ExplorersWeb and the Finish
community. But it was too late and Dominick was lost to the Arctic
Ocean.
www.Arctic-Dominick.com |
|
Bettina Aller and Jean Gabriel Leynaud |
Expedition aborted |
Third time is a charm? Danish Bettina Aller gives the North Pole
another shot, with company this time. Her first solo attempt in 2001
lasted just one day after a Polar bear encounter. In 2002 she was
out alone for a week but aborted after a series mishaps. Now Bettina
makes another come back for a supported NP expedition, this time
with French Jean-Gabriel Leynaud.
Bettina and Jean Gabriel were airlifted out on
the ice, and skied to the North Pole with resupplies.
www.nopenguins.com |
North Pole 2004 Wrap-Up:
Five expeditions set out for a North Pole expedition this year,
all from the Russian side. Wave Vidmar to be the first American to
ski solo and unsupported to the North Pole. Frédéric Chamard-Boudet
to do the same for France. British Ben Saunders attempted a first
solo, unsupported crossing. Danish/French duo Bettina Aller and Jean
Gabriel Leynaud skied to the pole with support and French/Finnish
woman Dominick Arduin attempted the first solo, supported female
North Pole trek. None of the expeditions completed, and one
perished.
The teams came out late and a big open water lead just off the
starting point posed the first immediate problem. Two solo skiers,
French/Finnish woman Dominick and Frenchman Frederic decided to
ski/paddle across the huge, 55 km semi open water area, in an
attempt for a clean North Pole expedition (which must start from
land).
Three of the five expeditions instead took a helicopter across the
opening; British Ben Saunders, American Wave Vidmar, and the Danish
Bettina/Jean-Gabriel duo all opted to airlift over the 50 kms of
open water off Cape Arkticheskiy’s coast.
An avid canoeist living in Arctic Finland, Dominick brought 10 kg of
snow with her for fresh water, a canoe and a dry suit. The other
expedition, Frederic, decided to try to ski around the lead. For the
next three days, Frederic made excellent distance, 18 km, reaching
latitude 81°18 after two and a half days.
The next day, a full moon rose. A full moon causes tidal changes
forcing the Arctic sea ice in motion and breaking it up. The full
moon's impact is most violent near the coast, and the danger time
zone, peaking at its full phase, in fact stretches from a few days
before to a few days after. The full moon could well have
contributed to the sinking of a Scientific Arctic base at that time.
Several North Pole teams reported issues with their ARGOS
positioning beacon. Dominick's beacon transmitted only faint
signals.
The full moon and an approaching storm both set the Arctic ocean in
motion, breaking up the ice with the pans colliding in a dark, cold
torrent.
Frederic narrowly escaped death. Skiing a section of thin ice
without his survival suit on (the suit slows the skier down) the ice
broke and Frederic fell into the water. The skier spent 4 minutes in
the freezing ocean before being able to haul himself up amidst the
thin ice. Having lost his skies in the fall, Frederic managed to
remain a float and escape death on his sledge. Frostbite had already
affected his hands and feet. At 5h47 (UTC), Frederic sent off his
distress signal requesting an helicopter rescue. The Russians
managed to the rescue Frederic early next morning. Somewhere, in the
midst of it all, was a brave, little French/Finnish girl who refused
to compromise her goals. A frantic search for her was organized by
ExplorersWeb and the Finish community. But Dominick was lost to the
Arctic Ocean. |
|
Other Arctic Expeditions 2004 |
|
|
The Arktos Adventure Mike Horn |
Expedition ongoing |
Mike Horn is out on the ice trying to complete his circumnavigating
at the Polar Circle. Mike departed from North Cape in August 2002
heading for the east coast of Greenland. His logistic team is
meeting up with him at check points to provide various means of
transportation, help with paper work and supplies of
medication, equipment and food. Mike plans to be out for around 18
months.
www.mikehorn.com |
|
|
Alone across Labrador |
Expedition completed |
Jerry Kobalenko left for the Canadian
wilderness mid January on a 600 km ski. He started at Churchill
Falls, Labrador and is skiing to Nain, the northernmost town on the
Labrador coast. Twenty years ago he completed the same trek, “It was
the hardest thing I've ever done,” says Kobalenko. “It almost killed
me. Now I want to see how hard it really was.” Jerry carries no
communication.
So how hard was it, twenty years later? Jerry walked into Nain,
Labrador at 12:30 MTS Jan 28 completing his trek after 39 bitter
cold and windy days! in 1984 he completed the journey in 46 days.
The veteran made the same trek in 39 days, seven days ahead of
schedule based on his first trip. |
|
|
|
Arctic Trek - Snowmobile Expedition |
Expedition postponed |
The Arctic Trek will continue their
snowmobile 8,000-mile expedition through much of Canada and the high
arctic next season. Bear the dog is once again bringing with him
Chris Martz out of Indianapolis, Indiana and Otto Bakemeier Dallas,
Texas. The team postponed in the very last minute -
but are now again ready for the final leg to the Geographic North
Pole. If things go as planned they will depart Ellesmere Island
during the first part of March 2005. But before that, the American
community could watch the crew build a junk yard warrior snow
machine for the Discovery channel - and win the Junkyard Warriors!
www.arctictrek2000.com |
|
Together to the Pole |
Expedition completed |
On 27th July, 2002, 13 year old Jasiek Mela
received an electric shock of 15.000 volts. He lost a leg and an
arm, but he didn't lose hope. Jasiek is off to ski to the NP from
the last degree, in the company of Marek Kaminski, the first person
to ski both poles back to back. Expedition leader is Wojtek Moskal,
polar explorer, and Wojtek Ostrowski will document the trip on film.
|
|
Venezuela for the Pole |
Expedition completed |
Proyecto Cumbre; Carlos Calderas, Marco
Cayuso, Martin Echevarria, Carlos Castillo and Marcus Tobia are on a
quest for the Seven Summits and now the North Pole from the 87th
degree.
www.proyectocumbre.com |
Dogs to the Pole |
Expedition cancelled |
During the winter/spring of 2004 Marcus
Fillinger and another person will set out on an expedition to the
the North Pole by dog sled. Once at the pole, they'll will complete
a dive. In 2003 Marcus completed an unassisted dive at the North
Pole.
www.emulsion.net.au/
|
|
Polar Husky and Will Steger |
Expedition completed |
31 Polar Huskies and an International team of
six educators and explorers; Aaron Doering, Paul Pregont, Will
Steger, Eric Dayton, Mille Porsild, and Hugh Dale-Harris are out on
a 3000 miles, 7 months - December 2003 through June 2004 expedition
across Arctic Canada.
Will Steger , the 2004 Arctic Transect
Expedition Leader has led some significant feats in dogsled
exploration such as a dogsled journey to the North Pole without
re-supply (1986), the 1,600-mile south-north traverse of Greenland
(1988), the historic 3,471-mile International Trans-Antarctica
Expedition - the longest dogsled traverse of the Arctic Ocean from
Russia to Ellesmere Island in Canada (1995). Feats for which Steger
has received honors and recognitions among others include: Explorers
Club Finne Ronne Memorial Award (1997), National Geographic
Society's First Explorer-In-Residence (1996) and National Geographic
Society's John Oliver La Gorce Medal for "accomplishments in
geographic exploration, in the sciences, and for public service to
advance international understanding" (1995).
www.polarhusky.com
|
|
Weber & Malakhov Last Degree |
Expedition completed
Special mention |
April 20, The following mail arrived:
"Dear all
Our team of 23 international explorers, led by Richard Weber and
Mikhail Malakhov reached the North Pole yesterday after skiing from
Ice Station Borneo. The entire team would like to express their
sincere sadness at the loss of Dominick Arduin and send their best
wishes to her family and friends. Upon reaching the Pole yesterday,
our team took part in a two minute silence to the memory of
Dominick.
With very best wishes
Jolene Pritchard (On behalf of Stonebee Limited and Canadian Arctic
Holidays)."
In 1995, Richard Weber and Misha Malakhov completed their
journey to the North Pole. There, they turned around and skied back.
No resupplies, no dogs, no sails, no guides. The two spent 123 days
pulling their gear behind them. It is important that those
achievements receive proper respect. Although all visits to harsh
regions are tough, some are tougher and the guys need the credit for
it. Upon arrival in Canada's Ward Hunt Island on June 16, Micha and
Richard were not greeted by journalists or photographers. Instead
they just went straight to bed. This still counts as a significant
moment in the history of polar expeditions despite the lack of
attention. In 1992 the pair made a first attempt but were forced to
abort after 105 days and deteriorating ice conditions. But they
never gave up and the next time they made it.
Richard's and Misha's website
|
|
Ice Warriors |
Expedition completed |
This March, Jim McNeill will lead a group on
an unsupported 300-mile journey from Eureka to the geomagnetic pole,
and then onto Dobbin Bay. On the team will be, Dave Hughes, Matt
O'Brien, Mark Wood, Julia Stacey, Fizzy Lillingston, Nona Thomas.
Last year Jim was in the Arctic getting ready to embark on a trip,
however, he came down with a flesh-eating bacteria that
sidelined him for a couple weeks. His plan is to ski to what he has
called the ‘4 Poles’- the Magnetic, Geo-magnetic, Arctic, and the
Geographic North Pole.
http://www.ice-warrior.com/
|
|
Expedition Siberia |
Expedition ongoing |
Husband and wife adventurers Mikael and Titti
Strandberg, along with Johan "Delta" Ivarsson and their dog Sigge
will embark upon a grand journey through Siberia stretching over
3500km in June of 2004. In 1997-98 they traveled 3000km through
Patagonia by horse and more recently in 2000 they explored all clans
of the Maasai, 1000 km through East Africa.
www.siberia.nu |
|
|
|
Arctic Quest, women in the Arctic |
Expedition completed |
4 women, Jodi Swanson, Sarah LaKosky, Suellen
Sack, and Amy Varsek and 16 dogs on a journey across the high
arctic, starting from Yellowknife, in the NorthWest Territories, and
aiming for Churchill, Manitoba. The route takes over land, river,
and sea ice, passing small villages and Inuit settlements. They hope
to arrive in Churchill, on the Western shore of the Hudson Bay in
late April. Part of the Voyager Outward Bound School.
http://www.arcticquest.org/expedition.shtml |
|
|
|
North Pole Balloon Rally |
n/a |
A group of people will get together in April
2004 and head for the North Pole where a friendly balloon race will
take place. The participants will be flown to Siberia and stage to
the North Polar Ice Pack Base Camp. Helicopters will then fly them
to launch positions where they board their balloon and race over the
Geographic North Pole.
www.north-pole-expeditions.com |
|
|
|
|
North Pole last degree, Australia |
n/a |
Randolph "Kasper" Kasprzyck set out to ski from Cape Arktichevsky in
Siberia, but had change of plans and will now do the last degree
after a trek through Sweden and Norway.
www.xpeditioncapital.com |
|
|
|
North Pole Marathon |
Expedition completed |
On April 2 athletes will be able to compete in sub-zero conditions
on the Arctic ice as the North Pole Arctic Marathon 2004 takes
place. From Svalbard the contestants will be flown on Russian Iljusins to Borneo, the drifting Russian research station where the
26.2-mile marathon will begin.
www.npmarathon.com |
|
Going Polar |
Expedition cancelled |
This
spring Anoushka Kachelo, a 23 year-old Trainee
Solicitor, will ski the last degree to the North Pole. Then in
November she plans to go on a guided expedition to the South Pole
from Hercules Inlet with ANI.
www.GoingPolar.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
