About Us
A close-knit team of professional mountain guides and local experts specialising in East Greenland – our home and passion.
A FAMILY BUSINESS IN THE NORTH
A way of life entwined with the fjords, mountains, glaciers and seasons.
Pirhuk is made up of a close-knit group of friends & family who encompass many years of experience in Greenland, the highest levels of certification in mountain guiding and a passion for the way of life we've found on the mountainous coastline that surrounds our home and lodge here in Kulusuk. We've dedicated ourselves to this pristine and wild land, watching and slowly learning from the complex interplay between ocean currents, snowpack, ice, migratory animals and weather. Over many years of exciting trips, we’ve had the privilege of making some great friends from around the world, many of whom join us each season to continue our exploration of this region.
The beginnings of Pirhuk took root over 20 years ago when IFMGA guide Matt Spenceley, then in his teens, began spending a lot of time climbing and skiing in Greenland. Taken under the wing of Georg and the Utuaq family, their deep roots and intimacy with the land, water and ice have informed everything we do. Things have gradually, organically grown since then. Helen joined Matt a decade ago, guiding, skiing, fishing and building a lodge in amongst all of that. Rich, an old friend, followed on, contributing much to what Pirhuk has become. We've striven hard, committed all we have, learnt all we could - and feel very lucky - to live this way.
After many years of skiing beautiful peaks, climbing remote alpine summits, backpacking into some seriously wild areas and kayaking over the same fjords that we travel by dog sled in winter, our passion for what we do only gets stronger.
OUR ETHOS
The central tenet of Pirhuk is simple: our trips & expeditions are an expression of our huge passion for Greenland and a deep love of being in the mountains combined with the expertise of over 20 years up north. Every trip you find here is a trip we actively want to do; our primary motivation is the trip itself, not its potential for profitability.
Even after travels all over the World, we’ve not found a place that inspires so much, whether because of the quality and ‘wildness’ of the skiing, climbing and trekking or because of the raw beauty of this magical land and the special people that live here. Pirhuk is a small guide-owned and -run outfit, meaning that from the outset, you deal with folk who have spent many consecutive seasons in the mountains of Greenland – our advice is based on what works for us and our trips on the current-most information and expertise.
You’re not paying for the structure of a big company. Our aim is to be professional but friendly; to be the very best we can be in our own special field as opposed to offering ever more trips or being the biggest operator. Our vision is to return to a purer form of adventure in Greenland, engaging more fully with what we’re here to do; objectives chosen for the passion they instil, rather than because it’s the highest peak, or the simplest place to get to. Logistics that are suited to, and pay respect, to the place and people: dog sleds and snowmobiles over the winter ice of the fjords; a boat to the base of a tidewater glacier, followed by a sledge journey instead of a charter plane direct to base camp. These choices aren’t always the easiest, but we believe they provide a deeper insight into Greenland and make for a rich, unique experience of this special land.
A partnership of local experts and guides, we launch our trips from our lodge and home in the tiny Inuit community of Kulusuk. This keeps money in Greenland, provides folk visiting us with an experience of a proud culture and ensures that our plans have the invaluable input of the hunters, surely the best people to advise on travelling conditions, summer or winter. Whilst our guides uphold the highest professional standards on all our trips and expeditions, we hope that each team member will play a full part, bringing whatever skills they have to each trip. For those interested, we’re always keen to help you develop technical skills and pass on the knowledge we use to work in the unique and challenging environment Greenland presents.
GUIDE BIOGRAPHIES
OUR GUIDING QUALIFICATIONS
The mountains are in our blood. We are proud to bring the highest levels of international certification together with our passion and many years of dedication to this wild place.
In Greenland, mountains as wild, remote and serious as anywhere on earth, we have striven to set the standards for arctic mountain guiding. We bring the highest world-wide levels of qualification to everything that we do: as IFMGA high mountain guides for climbing, mountaineering and backcountry skiing, and UIMLA international mountain leaders for wilderness trekking. To this, we add decades of local experience and safety systems developed to meet the unique challenges of this isolated arctic, alpine, maritime area. Whilst this is our profession, it goes much further than that, a way of life deeply entwined with the mountains and fjords through the seasons. We love skiing, mountaineering and trekking and are happy to share our expertise in developing and refining your own skills. With trips that can last weeks and many guests we see every year, the friendships we’ve gained and the way in which we watch folk grow as mountaineers means a great deal to us.
FROM OUR GUESTBOOK
Eric // Switzerland
Ski Touring Week
"A wonderful experience… unique scenery, good skiing, educational guiding & warm hearts opening up their home. Great to see & feel the positive impact that Pirhuk team is having on the local community and all the community has given & shared with them in return. Respect"
Eric // Switzerland
Ski Touring Week
"A wonderful experience… unique scenery, good skiing, educational guiding & warm hearts opening up their home. Great to see & feel the positive impact that Pirhuk team is having on the local community and all the community has given & shared with them in return. Respect"
Roz // USA
Ski Touring Week
"There are one or two times in each person’s life when the world opens up fully and an endless peace prevails – that was my experience here in Kulusuk. Matt was the best, most patient and most fun guide ever. This is just the beginning. Thanks for a trip of a lifetime!"
Rich // UK
Steep Skiing Week
"Matt, your guiding was second to none; the fact you managed to get into steep aesthetically beautiful lines in light of the wind and snow conditions is a testament to your skills as a guide. Also the continual tips and skills for big mountain skiing and access were fantastic."
Rich // UK
Steep Skiing Week
"Matt, your guiding was second to none; the fact you managed to get into steep aesthetically beautiful lines in light of the wind and snow conditions is a testament to your skills as a guide. Also the continual tips and skills for big mountain skiing and access were fantastic."
Emma, John, Mark, Bruce & Co. // UK & France
Ski Touring Trip
"In the face of some very challenging weather conditions, you delivered an amazing, very memorable, Greenland experience! It was a privilege to observe Justus and Mugu’s marine skills navigating the sea ice, icebergs, floating ice and keeping us safe… All success for the future!"
Emma, John, Mark, Bruce & Co. // UK & France
Ski Touring Trip
"In the face of some very challenging weather conditions, you delivered an amazing, very memorable, Greenland experience! It was a privilege to observe Justus and Mugu’s marine skills navigating the sea ice, icebergs, floating ice and keeping us safe… All success for the future!"
Katja // NZ
Backcountry Ski Expedition
"I am in awe about what you created here. Your love and passion for this place shines through everything. Thank you so much for sharing your little paradise with us… Thank you for making me feel extremely welcome and for helping me to make a dream come true – skiing in Greenland!"
Katja // NZ
Backcountry Ski Expedition
"I am in awe about what you created here. Your love and passion for this place shines through everything. Thank you so much for sharing your little paradise with us… Thank you for making me feel extremely welcome and for helping me to make a dream come true – skiing in Greenland!"
Geoff // USA
Backcountry Ski Expedition
"Thank you for allowing me to stay in your beautiful home and sharing your stunning backyard! Even with the bad weather my time in Greenland will be a spectacular memory! The team, landscape, mountains and the Inuit people blessed me with their presence. Living the dream… Thank you!"
Geoff // USA
Backcountry Ski Expedition
"Thank you for allowing me to stay in your beautiful home and sharing your stunning backyard! Even with the bad weather my time in Greenland will be a spectacular memory! The team, landscape, mountains and the Inuit people blessed me with their presence. Living the dream… Thank you!"
Dean // UK
East Greenland Mountaineering Expedition
"Thank you for your kind hospitality, truly amazing what you’ve done here. Once-in-a-lifetime experience and I will never forget. Memories that will last forever. Truly will never forget the first time I set sights on the views, mountains, across Kulusuk village, also the summits we climbed… "
Dean // UK
East Greenland Mountaineering Expedition
"Thank you for your kind hospitality, truly amazing what you’ve done here. Once-in-a-lifetime experience and I will never forget. Memories that will last forever. Truly will never forget the first time I set sights on the views, mountains, across Kulusuk village, also the summits we climbed… "
Ross // Cumbria
Caledonian Alps Glacier Traverse
"Thank you for a magical experience that meant more to me than I can tell you. I am in awe of your expertise in juggling teams and tasks, and especially Helen’s light touch leadership, cheerful enthusiasm, knowledge and exceptional cooking. Thanks again. I shall miss it all. Great team, great times."
Ross // Cumbria
Caledonian Alps Glacier Traverse
"Thank you for a magical experience that meant more to me than I can tell you. I am in awe of your expertise in juggling teams and tasks, and especially Helen’s light touch leadership, cheerful enthusiasm, knowledge and exceptional cooking. Thanks again. I shall miss it all. Great team, great times."
Matt // USA
East Greenland Mountaineering Expedition
"There are no words to describe our adventure the past two weeks! Overwhelmed with gratitude for all hospitality, leadership and professionalism. Matt’s knowledge and respect for the hills is inspiring! Thank you so much to the Pirhuk team – helen, Rich – you all are world class. Can’t wait for my return..." (more)
Matt // USA
East Greenland Mountaineering Expedition
"There are no words to describe our adventure the past two weeks! Overwhelmed with gratitude for all hospitality, leadership and professionalism. Matt’s knowledge and respect for the hills is inspiring! Thank you so much to the Pirhuk team – helen, Rich – you all are world class. Can’t wait for my return visit - I will be back!"