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BESPOKE GREENLAND MOUNTAINEERING WEEK

Join our guides in exploring the vast mountaineering potential of arctic East Greenland – from classic alpinism to rock climbing and exploration.
Trip length // 8 days

A week of mountaineering & adventure in the remote ranges of arctic East Greenland

Private guiding: space for one or two to join our highly experienced IFMGA mountain guide

Customised plan: from the high summits of the inland ranges to exploration, rock climbing and mountaineering above the fjords

Utilising our lodge, mountain hut and boats opens access to a huge area of wild glaciated mountains and fjords

 

For over 20 years now, we have specialised in climbing, mountaineering and skiing around the alpine mountains, glaciers and fjords of East Greenland. Join us in exploring this stunning area on a bespoke week of private guiding. We will plan the week’s objectives together, whether focussing on exploratory mountaineering and climbing or in rare repeats of some of the beautiful lines we’ve found here. We can use our motor boats to make day-trips from the lodge or set up a basecamp for the week; we can also use sea kayaks or packrafts to access the mountains. No two weeks are the same but every one provides an experience of the wildness of this place and the small Inuit community that is at home here.

East Greenland Ski Touring, Mountaineering & Trekking Specialists

TERRAIN AND OBJECTIVES

Our lodge, situated on one of the wildest coastlines on earth, is surrounded by glaciated alpine mountains, fjords and ocean.

From the vast mainland ranges on the fringes of the Inland Ice to the coastal mountains rising directly from the fjords, from mellow coastal cragging above the tundra to multi-day alpine climbs and big walls, there are many lifetimes of adventure here in East Greenland. This is why we have made our home here and focus all our attention as mountain guides, climbers and skiers on exploring these wild mountains.

 

We will form a plan together, matching your aspirations alongside our advice on prevailing conditions and objectives. It’s impossible to detail all the mountaineering and climbing accessible from our lodge but here are some ideas: ridge line traverses above remote anchorages only accessible by boat; single- and multi-pitch trad gneiss climbing with views out to the icebergs of the fjords; classic alpinism on the high summits of the inland ranges, often involving a day’s glacier-approach and bivouac; great bouldering and fishing when resting up. All of this takes place in a region where we’re responsible for every aspect of the journey and adventure begins the minute we leave the lodge behind, whether by boat in summer or snowmobile and dog sled in the cold months. We cannot rely on a network of mountain huts, cable cars or professional rescue teams; instead, we plan, carefully prepare and are led by many years of experience to explore this remote region.

East Greenland Ski Touring, Mountaineering & Trekking Specialists

THE PLAN

In an area as wild as East Greenland, with so little infrastructure, prevailing conditions will dictate what we are able to do. Many years climbing/skiing in these mountains and travelling the fjords assist in making best use of our time.

 

On an 8-day trip, we will have 6 full days available. The following sets the scene:

 

DAY 1

Departing from Keflavik International airport, a prop-plane flight of around 1hr 45 mins over the icy Denmark Strait reaches the gravel airstrip of Kulusuk Island, East Greenland. We’ll meet you there with an ATV and drive the rough track across the tundra to reach our lodge. An update on conditions and forecast, discuss plans, then dinner and overnight at the lodge.

 

DAY 2 - 7 

Finish packing bags before setting out on a unique trip that we will plan together. Over the course of the week, we’ll aim for a progression in our objectives. We could undertake day-trips from the lodge, using our motor boat to reach one of countless alpine peaks, crags and walls that rise directly above the fjords. Alternatively, we might travel to a remote location to camp on the shore or higher up in the mountains. Another option is to overnight at our small mountain hut on the northern shores of the glaciated alpine island of Apusiaajik.

 

We’ll return to our lodge on the final morning in time to make your evening flight out to Keflavik on day 8.

OUR LODGE

A traditional wooden cabin we have built ourselves over the years, our lodge is located in the small Inuit village of Kulusuk, home to 200 people.  

 

A comfortable and practical base to explore East Greenland, our lodge provides cabin bedrooms, running water, hot showers, and flushing toilets, a rare thing in this cold climate. There’s a drying area for kit, a sitting room heated by a stove and a big table we all gather around each evening. Cut off by sea ice 6 months of the year, our stores and freezers are well supplied to provide a plentiful and varied menu. Whenever possible, we eat locally caught fish, from salmon to arctic char, cod and halibut.

East Greenland Ski Touring, Mountaineering & Trekking Specialists
East Greenland Ski Touring, Mountaineering & Trekking Specialists

WHO IS THIS TRIP FOR...

A bespoke week of mountaineering/climbing with a highly experienced IFMGA mountain guide, we will tailor our objectives to suit your experience, fitness and motivation. We will provide advice on any preparation that might be necessary before your arrival.

GUIDING

We are a small and dedicated team of internationally qualified IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guides who are also passionate mountaineers. As East Greenland specialists, we encompass over 20 years' experience in this region. We have great respect for these remote mountains, carefully managing the unique risks this arctic environment presents. Our safety record is a result of this focus. 

GETTING TO GREENLAND

To come visit us on this remote coastline, we’re best reached via Iceland, only 1 hr 40 mins away by turbo prop-plane.

 

Keflavik, Iceland’s international airport is a hub for North America and Europe and also the starting point for flights to our local airstrip in Kulusuk.

 

Seats on these Icelandair-operated flights are in short supply and book out early. Whilst we don’t organise flights ourselves, travel agent VR Travel aims to reserve tickets for all our trips and can assist with international connections. You can also book direct with Icelandair.

East Greenland Ski Touring, Mountaineering & Trekking Specialists

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Bespoke Mountaineering Week

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CONTACTING US

Pirhuk is owned and run by a small team of guides. We’re in the mountains much of the time but we aim to respond as soon as possible. Please get in touch with any questions – we look forward to hearing from you!

 

Email:

info@pirhuk.com

 

Telephone:

Greenland +299 234 275

UK +44 (0)7733 075 291