Kite Greenland 2009

From 02.06.2009 to 25.07.2009 - Status: success

2300 km from south to north

Two Norwegians, Hugo Rolf Hansen and Bjorn Einar Bjartnes, have set out on what they intend to be a fun adventure across the Greenland icecap. They are planning to complete a crossing from south to north, starting from Narsaq and finishing in Quaanaaq (Thulé).

Judging by the pages at the expedition website, the two men have every intention of standing out from the other polar expeditions seeking to achieve their various aims, either out on the Arctic sea-ice or in Greenland.

For a start, they have no environmental or humanitarian message to push -although this in no way means that they are not concerned about the future of our planet or about global warming. Second, there is no pressure regarding the success of their venture and they will not hesitate to call an immediate halt if anything contrary should happen along the way. Third, they decided to make this trip when they were sitting together in the Norwegian bush having a beer with friends. In other words, they are saying that the one and only goal of their adventure is to have a good time and try to achieve something big.

So now you know if you are planning to follow their progress. They are leaving the south of the island on 3rd June and heading for Thulé in the far north. The men have no fresh supply drops scheduled to be brought in en route and, of course, they will be using traction kites.

39-year-old Hugo Rolf Hansen is a lawyer in Oslo. Bjorn Einar Bjartnes, 28, holds a master's degree in applied science.