Objectives

***UPDATE***

Looking back at our objectives now that the expedition is finished, it’s incredible to see just how far we exceeded our own expectations. We completed the first two, then instead of finding one 800m pillar, we made the first ascents of no fewer than three completely unknown, unclimbed faces between 800 and 1200m high as well as a new route on Uummannaq mountain. We opened a whole new climbing area in Umanak Fjord, and most importantly, returned unscathed.

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1. Sail to Greenland!

In the ship ‘Cosmic Dancer’, we plan to sail from Quebec to the northern coast of Canada, then cross to Uummannaq in Greenland. The voyage should take 3-4 weeks depending on weather windows.

How to Sail to Greenland (courtesy of Google Earth)

2. Climb the Horn of Upernavik!

We plan to make an attempt on the 1000m-high unclimbed Horn of Upernavik. Attempted by other teams in the past, the face has yet to see a complete ascent. Bring it on!

The Horn of Upernavik

3. Sail north! Find an 800m pillar! Climb it!

After perhaps 2 weeks in Uummanaq we plan to sail northward to Qaerssorsuaq in Upernavik. There, we hope to attempt the unnamed 800m pillar mentioned by last year’s British expedition.

We will be looking for one of these

4. Explore for new climbs!

We aim to explore the other walls around Qaerssorsuaq for new climbing objectives. We will also explore the other islands nearby in search of possible lines for new routes.

‘This is a topo of the route you will be climbing. We’d be very grateful if you could just, er, fill it in as you go along…’

5. Sail back!

After around 3 weeks in Upernavik we will start the passage back to Canada. Some members of the team will fly out from Kangerlussuaq on the way past. All in all the expedition should take between 9 and 12 weeks.