Polar Treks & Moutaineering
Every year, I ask people to come with me to the North or South Poles to see the effects of climate change with their own eyes. By bringing these people with me, I hope that the benefits these people's testimony brings will far outweigh the carbon emissions caused by their travels.
I also love moutaineering and can organise an expedition on demand.
Climate change affects us all, but it does not affect us all equally. The poorest and most vulnerable -those who have done the least to contribute to global warming- are bearing the brunt of the impact today.
Ban Ki-moon
Next Polar Trek
The Last Degree to the North Pole (12 -> 26 April 2011). A unique experience
Many have dreamt of one day reaching the North Pole. But of course few have ever been able to make it. However, thanks to the experience of the Russians developed these last years in Arctic logistics, for the hardy souls, this dream is now possible. Not only they are able to experience a unique voyage to one of the furthest reaches of our planet, but also this can be done at a not too exorbitant cost.
What makes this polar trek to North Pole unique ?
First of all because you are going to make an experience you'll will never forget. Travelling on such a wild ocean, going through such a chaotic and beautiful ice pack, sleeping in such adventurous (and cold) conditions, admiring what I find the most beautiful lights (sunsets and sunrises) in the world, learning so many things about the polar regions... That's one of the many reasons which makes this trek so unique.
Second : although the conditions of the progression are sometimes difficult, this voyage will be quite safe. As a polar explorer (IPGA affiliated) having completed record-breaking Arctic and Antarctic crossings, I have had the experience not only to select the best performing technical equipment for my expeditions but also to develop new ones -like shoes, sledges, sleeping bags, and so on. The very same equipment is going to support your journey. As a mountain guide (IFMGA), I often realised that the failure to complete an expedition because of equipment deficiencies is frequent ; since more than ten years I guide people in polar regions, such a setback never happened. (See below Chapter “Equipment for the journey”).
Third : once a traveller is fully confident in his equipment, once he knows he can rely on his guide, then the way he goes is totally different. He feels free. His mental state allows him to enjoy all the way through this absolutely amazing trek in the middle of nowhere. Not only during the trek but also many years after.
Itinerary at a glance : first Longyearbyen (Svalbard) then Barneo (near North Pole).
It is proposed to transport the voyagers to the 89° via Svalbard. The first staging point will be Longyearbyen, its administrative center (2 000 inhabitants). Longyearbyen is an old coal mining place located well above the Arctic Circle at 78 degrees North. The city has become a centre for outdoor adventure and polar science.
In Longyearbyen, we will review the all equipment to make sure that every single thing is not missing. We will also have time to go outside the city and make a last test of the equipment (in no time you are out of the city, being allready sorrounded by astonishing landscapes !). Safety procedures and all aspects of the trek will also be reviewed before going further on.
After that, a specially chartered plane will transfer the party the Russian base of Barneo. This base is quite an extraordinary place. It’s a temporary huge camp Russians build on the ice (at degree 89) every year around end of february to close it at the end of April. Small Antonov planes and Mil MI-8 Helicopter land there on the ice. Professionnels explorers, well-know scientists, Vips of all kinds and horizons, groups of adventurous tourists ; everyone meets one in a while in the Barneo mess tent.
Depending on conditions and the time of our arrival we'll either set up camp or strap on our skis and sleds and head off toward the geographic North Pole. Depending also the yearly location of the base (some year, its closer to the Pole, some year it’s further), we’ll have about 110 km ahead of us.
The return trip takes exactly the same route.
A feeling of the North Pole trek : we will ski between 7 to 10 hours each day.
Each member of the group will be provided with a sledge, which will contain the articles necessary to sustain for the next 7 to 9 days. It will weigh about 38kg.
We will set up our tents every night, on the floating ice, in the midst of the most spectacular arctic landscapes : the midnight sun, the compression ridges, open water channels between perpetually moving ice floes.
During the nights, air temperatures can fluctuate between –20°C and –30°C : it’s not so cold during the day (-10°C to – 20°C). But the climate conditions as you know are never easy to forecast. I have know already only minus 5°C at the pole itself ! Long days, changing weather conditions and difficult terrain are part of the journey. I tell you, the truth : the last degree trek is an adventure in every sense of the word. Traveling across the dynamic polar pack ice requires patience and agility, not to mention a flexible attitude to deal with the many diversions that pop up over the course of each day. From open water "leads" and thin ice passage to large pressure ridges of ice, there are many obstacles on this polar trek that make reaching the North Pole all the more satisfying.
We will ski between 7 and 10 hours each day over the dynamic pack ice.
If conditions are good, our route will take us across large pans of flat ice that present few obstacles. If conditions are on the bad side, we'll have to maneuver around or across open water "leads" and over pressure ridges that can range from 1-5 meters in height.
To ensure that you have the most agrable experience, I would like you to be assured that I'll help you all the way through. From your pre-expedition preparations (choosing the right clothing for instance) to learning how to pack your sled or to show you how to negociate a difficult passage through the hummocks. Anyway, I’ll be on your side what ever happens.
Qualifications : should I be able to go to North Pole?
This trek is of course for people who are in good physical condition. An important point : each participant should also be eager to push himelf not only physically but also and above all mentally.
Though skiing is quite demanding, it does not require significant skill -it is very much like walking with skis on.
You will also need to have very good cardiovascular endurance and the ability to pull a heavy sled (between 30-40 kilos) for several hours at a time.
This voyage will encounter very cold conditions. And everyone knows that living in such extreme conditions 24 hours a day can siometimes be very challenging.
Amongst other, you will have to be able to regulate your body temperature so that you do not get too cold or too hot while you are skiing. Do not worry though : I’ll help you to learn how to achieve that.
Being well rested before this adventure and following a regular training during the last three months before the departure will sure help you to make the expedition more enjoyable and safer.
Please contact us for the exact cost of this trek.
Practical Information
Please find here the PDF with the detailed description of the itinerary. Or check above next to the photo.
Please find here the PDF with the detailed description of the equipment (equipment provided, equipment needed for each participant, personal equipment, details of the food, weights expected to be carried per person, etc.) Or check also above next to the photo under the title 'Executive Summary'.
Your guide
- Alain Hubert
- From mountain guide certification to extensive experience of polar environments and expedition, Alain has it all.
On demand treks
We can organise treks and mountaineering expeditions on demand. As a certifed mountain guide, I have the qualifications, background and authorisation to organise treks at your convenience. Just get in touch and we'll discuss.
