2019 Greenland Trekking

The plan for the four Imperial students was to execute an 11-day hike of the 200km Arctic Circle Trail during August and early September 2019, fully self-supported, carrying the food and equipment required. The group also aimed to camp within the Ilulissat Icefjord UNESCO World Heritage Site, to summit Nasaasaaq, and to hike up Sugar Loaf hill. They also wanted to bond as a team, as three of the members did not know one another before planning the expedition, and to encourage others to pursue similar ventures.

The Trail sits 40km north of the Arctic Circle in Greenland, an island which is 85% covered in ice. There are no roads in this part of Greenland outside the small settlement in Kangerlussuaq and the city of Sisimiut, so the Trail provides a true wilderness experience.

The hike began at the edge of the ice sheet, following a 40km bus ride to the east of Kangerlussuaq.  It was misty at the icecap, and the ice looked dirty as they made their way to the Russell glacier. As the fog cleared, they were treated to a beautiful sight of parts of the icecap and other glaciers in the background. The next day during the journey to the start of the Arctic Circle Trail the group passed a downed American fighter plane, glimpsed the most northerly golf course in the world, and climbed Sugar Loaf Hill. The next stage to Katiffik provided views of the large lake which the group crossed by canoe the next day. The landscape looked Martian as they endured a tiring walk though boggy terrain to Ikkattooq.  The next stage to the lake after Eqalugaarniarfik involved crossing a knee-deep river, and once they arrived at the hut at Innajuattoq they encountered a 30 strong school party who created a commotion that night.

The next day of travelling to Kangerluarsuk Tulleq Sud was very sunny and warm, whilst the final stage of the Trail to the coastal city of Sisimiut included a challenging summit of Nasaasaaq, (700m). The group spent the night at an Airbnb and enjoyed their first shower in 11 days.  

They then took the overnight ferry north to Ilulissat, passing icebergs and playful whales before arriving at the fjord where they camped. The hike to Aaliafarick involved much elevation and a terrain change from the Greenlandic vegetation to rocky, however the site delivered panoramic views of the icecap, the fjord and the sea. The next camp site was by the UNESCO heritage site boundary where they enjoyed the sight of icebergs, a pretty sun set, and whales swimming close to the shore. Just before sunset on the final day the group took a boat cruise around the mouth of the fjord where they saw more than 20 whales. They returned to Ilulissat for a celebration, before 2 of the team travelled onto Qeqertarsuaq, a small village on the volcanic Disko Island off the west coast of Greenland, where they explored the surrounding area for the last few days.

In addition to funding provided by the Exploration Board this expedition was supported by the Old Centralians' Trust.