Minimum group size is 3 clients plus leader/guide.
Maximum group size is 5 clients plus leader/guide.

The Nansen route is more expensive due to much greater use of privately chartered helicopter flights to reach the start point at Umivik.

Flights via Keflavik, Reykjavik, Kulusuk and Sondre Strømfjord..

Insurance: GBP 500

Insurance: GBP 270

Click here for Icecap Crossing photos.

It is very important that we begin to form the core groups for these icecap crossings and have our final teams in place as soon as possible. These are not the type of expeditions that can receive late bookings! Please let us know IMMEDIATELY if you are interested in one of these expeditions and would be keen to find out more about them and to discuss the finer details. I am happy to travel anywhere within the UK to meet prospective clients and talk you though the expeditions in greater detail. We can also tailor make a bespoke expedition for pairs and private groups, either self led or led by one of our own experienced guides.

Tangent has helped organise several private group crossings of the Greenland icecap over the years and has now successfully completed four previous Tangent led crossings in 1999, 2002 and 2003 (2 expeditions). In May 1999 Tangent organised the first ever British guided expedition to cross the Greenland icecap, making the journey in just 24 days, but having to be picked up somewhat short of the true finishing point on land. This was due to an ankle injury of one of the members and after receiving information by satcoms from an expedition a couple of days ahead of us that the final section of badly crevassed glacier leading down to the coast was very slow going. We had neither time or food left to accommodate this and thus requested a helicopter pick up from the edge of the icecap. We also experienced unusually bad weather during much of the journey, which made the first half of the expedition slower than we expected, taking 15 days to the middle of the icecap. However, we pushed on very hard in the second part of the journey covering excellent ground on good surfaces, despite the bad weather and poor visibility, sometimes covering over 30km a day (best day was 38km).

We returned to the icecap in May 2002 with a strong and dedicated team of six people, led by Tangent leader Brian Newham and his partner Jo. Despite several stormbound days when it was not possible to travel, the group made superb use of traction kites for wind assistance and travelled some 180km in three days in the latter part of the expedition, completing the full journey in 24 days. An excellent and highly successful expedition completed in a fast time.

Due to an increased demand for this type of expedition we organised two expedition crossings in 2003, one consisting of five members, the other of four. Despite very difficult conditions and considerable bad weather, both teams successfully completed the journey in 26 and 27 days respectively. Again, excellent achievements considering the conditions encountered throughout much of the trip. Unfortunately in 2005 our expedition team had to give up the crossing after experiencing prolonged bad weather and the worst snow conditions under foot so far experienced by any of our teams. Terrible sastrugi fields in the very early stages of the trip delayed the team to an extent that the group felt it unlikely that they could finish in the time available. As far as we are aware we are still the only company in the world successfully running fully guided and unsupported ski and man hauling crossings of the Greenland icecap.

Our original intention had been to run this expedition every two years but due to increased interest we have now decided to return to the icecap every year in April/May. We will aim to reach the middle of the icecap in 13-14 days and to complete the journey in 28 days. We will carry food and fuel for 28-30 days with starting weights for the pulk sledges being in the region of 90kg. The total duration of the expedition from UK to UK will be around 5 weeks. Although this may seem rather longer than necessary it must be emphasized that 24 days is an unusually fast time and was only achieved with the aid of three superb days for kiting. Without those favourable days our 2002 expedition would certainly have used up its full 28 days allocated time, as was the case with our two crossings in 2003.

All our previous attempts used specially designed traction kites belonging to Tangent; large adjustable canopies designed to cover significant distances using wind assistance, which can pull the team along at considerable speeds. Due to poor visibility and unusual head winds we made little use of these kites for the group as a whole in 1999, yet in 2002 they were invaluable and proved their worth. In 2003 some use was made of the kites but with no significant benefit to the times achieved. This was due to the significant amounts of time being lost due to preparation and training whilst on the glacier. Sometimes several hours per day can be used up unpacking, rigging, packing up, etc, with only a little actual 'on task' time sometimes being achieved, often due to changing wind speeds and wind direction. We have also learned the necessity to gain considerable practice with these kites before trying to use them in Greenland. Kite practise will form a major part of the two training weekends. It may turn out that we have a mix of clients who do and do not want to use kites, in which case we will look at the possibility of having one expedition with kites and one without, depending on client numbers.

The total direct distance of the Ammassalik to Sondre Stromfjord crossing is 335 miles or 535km. In reality this equates to about 350 miles or 560km actual travelling. The more southerly Nansen route is 280 miles or 450km. We will use nordic mountain touring skis (metal edged) with plastic nordic touring boots which have proved themselves to be excellent for these conditions. All specialist equipment, including skis, is available for hire if you don't possess any particular items. The cost of these unique expeditions is £5,950 for the Ammassalik route and £7,450 for the Nansen route. The latter is significantly more expensive due to the amount of private helicopter charter involved in the logistics. Due to the distance of flying required the payload for the helicopter is very small (due to fuel load) and hence shuttle flights are required to get the team and kit to the start point. Insurance for both expeditions is £500. There is a 15% discount for a qualified doctor, nurse or medic. A deposit of £1200 plus the insurance premium is due at time of booking. The expedition dates can be arranged to best suit the group but will involve departing the UK between mid April and mid May. Because of the nature of this expedition it is very important that we have our group finalised as soon as possible. This allows us plenty of time to meet up to discuss equipment and other matters and to embark upon two training weekends during the coming winter.

If you would like to consider joining either of these expeditions please contact me immediately. Our first step will be to meet each of you personally (if UK resident) before arranging a group meeting as early as possible at our base in the Lake District. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the following:

1. Further details of the expedition,
2. Focus on more specific dates for the expedition,
3. Equipment and clothing.
4. Experience of the group members,
5. Look at the route and logistics,
6. Decide on use of kites or not,
7. Arrange a date for a training weekend and further meeting.
8. Training