The North Pole - The Last Degree

Overview

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Ski the last 60 nautical miles to the Geographic North Pole

Introduction

***Please note: 2019 published prices are 'early bird' prices, based on full payment by 28 November 2018***

This expedition aims to ski from 89 degrees north to the Geographic North Pole. Unlike the South Pole, the North Pole is a fluid jigsaw of ice and open water over the ocean, so there is the added risk of breaking through the ice or having to cross open water. The ground underfoot can be soft 'porridge-like' ice or have open water 'leads' to negotiate. Alternatively pressure-ridges up to 7 metres high, caused when two ice masses collide, must be crossed. For those prepared to accept these risks, this is an incredibly tough test of endurance in temperatures as cold as -35°C.

The team assembles in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, before flying 600 miles to Camp Barneo, a drifting ice station at 89 degrees north, which was built by the Russians. From here you set out for the Pole on skis, pulling sleds across the drifting ice. After approximately a week, you will arrive at the top of the globe, before a helicopter takes you back to Camp Barneo.

Start point: UK or Longyearbyen
Grade: 6E

Share this on Facebook We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. Depending on your skiing experience, you may want a Jagged Globe leader or go ‘self-led’ with the assistance of local guides. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable, particularly if you take the self-led option. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Experience Required

To join this expedition we recommend that you have previous experience of expeditions in cold weather environments, such as Alaska or Antarctica. You must have previous snow camping experience and be able to pull a 50Kg sled for 8-10 hours each day, every day for 6-8 days. We strongly recommend that you join our Polar Expedition Training course in Norway and Hardangervidda Crossing immediately prior to the North Pole trip. We offer a 15% discount off both the Polar Expedition Training and Hardangervidda Crossing prices. This is to ensure that you are familiar with our systems and are already prepared with the right skills.

Leadership

The North Pole - The Last Degree expeditions will be led by extremely experienced english-speaking British or Norwegian Arctic leaders, who have led expeditions in the Polar regions many times before.

Share this on Facebook We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. Depending on your skiing experience, you may want a Jagged Globe leader or go ‘self-led’ with the assistance of local guides. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable, particularly if you take the self-led option. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the expedition or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

What the price includes

• Flight from UK to Longyearbyen (unless joining in-country.)
• UK airport taxes.
• 1 nights' Guest House accommodation in Longyearbyen on a bed and breakfast basis at the start of the expedition.
• Transfers to and from Longyearbyen airport to your Guest House.
• Return helicopter flight from the North Pole to Barneo.
• Introductory dinner in Longyearbyen.
• All camping facilities and meals at Barneo Ice Camp and on trek to the North Pole.
• All leader costs.
• All communal equipment, e.g. tents, cooking gear, stoves, communication and medical kit.
• 30Kg baggage allowance on flight to Barneo from Longyearbyen.
• Jagged Globe kitbag.

What the price does not include

• Overseas airports taxes not paid in advance through the international airline ticket.
• Guest House accommodation in Longyearbyen on return from the North Pole.
• Main meals in Longyearbyen.
• Hire of skis, boots, snow shoes, ski poles, sledges, sleeping bag, sleeping mattress.
• Charges incurred as a result of flight delays.
• Excess baggage charges.
• Personal equipment (an equipment and clothing list will be sent to you on receipt of your booking deposit).
• Bar bills and laundry.
• Travel insurance*.
• Optional trips.
• Tips.

*Please note your travel insurance policy requires a minimum coverage for evacuation of 100,000 Euros.

We can organise this expedition on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. Depending on your skiing experience, you may want a Jagged Globe leader or go ‘self-led’ with the assistance of local guides. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable, particularly if you take the self-led option. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip.

Outline Itinerary

Please note that your expedition could be longer due to delays brought about by the unpredictability of the Arctic weather and ice conditions. For example, the flight between Longyearbyen and Barneo may be delayed in either or both directions due to bad weather on the ice runway at Barneo. Similarly, once at the North Pole, the helicopter flight out may be delayed due to storms. For these reasons, you should not make any firm arrangements or plans for at least 2 weeks following the scheduled return of the expedition.

Day 1 - 2:	Travel to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen Those joining in the UK will fly to Longyearbyen via Copenhagen and Oslo, with an overnight in Copenhagen.
Day 3:	Preparations/gear check
Day 4:	Fly Longyearbyen to Barneo Ice Camp If the weather is good and the ice runway is in place (the ice only needs to be 1.3 metres thick to build the runway), you will transfer to the airport and make the 2.5hr flight to Barneo, located at 89 degrees North.
Day 5 - 12:	Ski to the North Pole Ski to the North Pole, sleeping overnight in expedition tents on the drifting ice. Most teams take between 6 and 8 days, skiing between 11 and 18 kilometres per day. The start point will be decided depending on the ice conditions, with progress each day being affected by the direction that the ice drifts. In poor visibility, it can be difficult to navigate and see the various obstacles, such as pressure ridges, in front of you. To cross an open lead the team might need to clip together their pulks to make a raft.
Day 13:	Return to Barneo Ice Camp Helicopter pick up and flight back to Barneo Ice Camp.
Day 14:	Return flight to Longyearbyen
Day 15:	Fly home

Photos & Videos

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Reports & Reviews

First Expedition: March 2011
Total: 1 trip

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