Last Antarctic season, Rune Gjeldnes set off alone from Novo and skied and kited to the South Pole.  Not stopping there, he continued onwards until he'd crossed the continent.  At a little under 5000 km, the journey presents the longest unsupported ski trip ever made.

Record or no record, the trip was a journey of discovery and, to me, represents the skill and mental agility of someone who's really worked at, and mastered, their game.

I was inspired having read it.

The book's beautifully presented with beautiful photos and lots of info invaluable to anyone planning a kiting expedition.  You can buy Beyond the Poles at www.seal.no



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Hot Shots Productions have produced a short movie documenting a really exciting journey through the Yukon.  Using a raft and kayaks to run the length of a river, stopping off en route to climb and ski peaks, before reaching an iceberg-studded ocean, is just the kind of thing I'm always looking for in Greenland; there's something really special about undertaking an expedition that follows an aesthetic line, whether through a mountain range, over an icecap or down a river, and above all under your own steam.

Ideas of what's hardcore, 'extreme', or whatever superlative you choose to describe going beyond what you rationally thought was possible are very personal.  In May and June 2006, a 6-strong team made an East - West Crossing of the Greenland Icecap.  One of the team was paraplegic.  Andy Kirkpatrick filmed the trip.  Have a look at the video.

Just found a photo from the fjord-side camp, I described in my last post...

My first ever Blog... I guess I should write something profound but nothing comes to mind!  I hope to share news, views and general arcania from the world of someone completely immersed in the world of expeditions, mostly in Greenland, but also in the Polar regions.  I have the pleasure to spend a big part of the season climbing mountains, sea kayaking and pulling pulks around Greenland - a place with limitless potential for adventure that I'm completely taken with.  It's only a few weeks since I was sitting alone on the shores of Nagtivit Kangertivat Fjord, a glowing sunset burning into the the Icecap, itself dropping into the sea to my left.  My pulk, skis and all the rest of my kit lay over the rocks surrounding my tent.  After days of hauling, dragging and fighting our way across the glacier, the peace afforded by reaching the boat pick-up was extra special.  The icebergs, turning a deep blue in the gathering shadows, occasionally broke the resounding silence; a silence that I have rarely experienced anywhere...

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This year's South Pole expeditions are now waiting in Punta Arenas for the blue ice runway to be cleared.  All the teams are sending in live updates.  Here's a list of the websites:

Polar Quest
Kiwis on Ice
Hannah McKeand
John Wilton Davies
Southern Reach
Team N2i

Best of luck!