First Day on Trail! Into the Icefall

A 2024 PolarExplorers Greenland Crossing team traverses the icefall

The team loaded up all the gear, food, and fuel they'll need for the month onto a truck and set off for the edge of the icecap at noon local time. The drive out to their starting point, Point 660, is super scenic. Last year we saw a number of muskoxen and caribou along the way.

Everyone was delighted to see a heavy snow pack at Point 660. The snow can be sparse at the drop off point, and when it is, you have to carry all your heavy gear from the side of the road over rocky hills to the very edge of the icecap. It can be exhausting work!

Portaging gear from Point 660 to the icefall can be a big job if there's no snow!

But our team was able to tow their sleds up to the icefall, and ski for a mile before uneven terrain forced them to switch to crampons. In all they traveled about 2.5 hours and made 2.5 miles of progress. Great work for the first day!

Everyone has settled into their tents and made themselves comfortable while they melt snow for drinking water -- a routine they'll become very familiar with over the next four weeks. All are comfy and feeling very grateful to be where they are right now.

Follow Along with Last Year's Greenland Crossing on Instagram and Facebook

As our team progresses across the icecap, we'll take a look back at a team from last year on our social media platforms. Follow the Greenland Icecap Video Series for a look at Team Cocoanuts' 30-day journey from Point 660 to the east coast.

See below for the first two installments of the Greenland Icecap Crossing Video Series.

Thanks for following and check back tomorrow for the next dispatch!