What to Expect
This is a trip of a lifetime in a "World Class" kayaking venue.
East Greenland is very special..
Its life in the Raw..
An untamed and remote wilderness.
Icelandair run a life line service to the settlement of Kulusuk.
Visitor numbers are low, other than locals, these are mainly mountaineers, hikers and your fellow paddlers.
Taking a flight from Iceland helps maintain and keep viable this vital service for the people of east Greenland.
Guaranteed to stimulate your senses.
Being in almost constant daylight is a pretty unique experience for most people, as is kayaking in sea ice and among huge icebergs, all with the ever present back drop of calving glaciers, Alpine mountains and the Greenland ice cap, which comes down to the sea.
This area has a unique culture and history coupled with an amazing and fragile arctic environment. In the 1930’s when Gino Watkins was exploring this area, many local people were still living in traditional turf houses, isolated and spread out along the coast.
We will explore many of these.
Life for the local Greenlandic people is hard as climate change is effecting the flow of the seasons and the pattern of hunting .
Conditions here tend to be a little more extreme than the south and west coasts as the main ocean drift bringing polar pack ice, travels south down the east coast, even on occasion, closing down access to the main harbor of Tasiilaq in the summer.
Depending on summer ice conditions we have the option to start and finish our trip from any of the 5 smaller communities.
This gives us a lot of flexibility to make the most of our precious time. Wherever we go it's always amazing and I never tire of it.
We are wild camping from the start and once underway, aim to paddle everyday. The campsites just get more and more spectacular as the trip goes on. Average distance is about 25 km a day, so there is plenty of time to explore ancient settlements, hunt camps and take lots of photos. Without doubt, this is a photographers paradise.
While here, the opportunity of climbing a hill should also not be missed and time is factored in for this at the end of the trip.
It's not a head down go go go type trip - there is way too much to see. Its a long way to come and takes some effort, so we definitely make the most of our time. These trips are aimed at intermediate / experienced, fit paddlers, keen to undertake a multi day journey in order to really get the true taste of Greenland. You just wont get this any other way.
There are approximately 2500 people living in the area, which is larger than the UK.
Once on trip we are pretty much away from it all.
I've spent over 20 years exploring here and now know the area better than many of the locals, so we will have the opportunity to explore remote, wild places, few folk ever venture into.
The marine life is amazing; in the past we have encountered Humpback, Finn, Minke and Narwhal.
The Arctic Fox is a common sight and on very rare occasions we have been lucky to see a Polar Bear.
General safety and bear protocol will be covered in detail at the start of the trip..
Experience / fitness level
You should have done at least one of your own multi day trips and be able to cope, should the need arise, with F 4/5 winds and associated sea conditions. On calm days, be able to maintain a steady 5 KPH pace when fully loaded.
You will require good solid kayak skills around proficiency / 4 star level / sea kayak leader award. Know how to adjust and pack your kayak for an expedition and be able to paddle and handle your fully loaded boat. Having some prior knowledge of rescuing and towing your peers and also being rescued will be useful.
Specific skills for paddling in Ice and top camping tips, will be covered in detail during the expedition.
Pre expedition training in the UK can be arranged if required at an extra cost.
If this is your first trip to the Arctic or East Greenland, then joining one of my expeditions is by far the best option for your initial adventure.
It gives you the chance to learn and further develop skills needed to deal with some unique conditions and gives time to acclimatise to the scale of things.
You have access to some excellent equipment and benefit from my considerable experience and local knowledge gained over 20 years of exploring and running expeditions in this area. Bear defense and safety protocol is an added dimension not normally required on your average trip.
Expedition fee for 2024 :- £ 2950.00 Expected fee for 2025:- £ 3250.00
This includes:- Logistics and support prior to the expedition, scheduled group boat transfers from Kulusuk to Tasiilaq, to and from the airport.
Use of UK manufactured sea kayaks, paddles, spray decks, and PFD. Group safety gear is provided and shared among the team.
A satellite phone, inReach and PLB are carried in the group, as are repair kits and first aid. Benzine (petrol) is supplied for use in your own multi fuel stove.
Your own Free standing mountain tents are recommended which if needs be you can live and cook in for a prolonged period of time..