Borge and Thorleif ready to cast off

Published on 24.06.2010 - The Northern Passage 2010

We've just received confirmation: Borge Ousland's Northern Passage - 2010 expedition will in fact be taking place.

22nd June 2010, 6 pm: Borge's website announced the imminent departure of his expedition.

We didn't want to disturb him on the eve of casting off for the gigantic circumnavigation that he's planning this summer around whatever remains of the pack-ice. But we have been keeping an eye on the expedition blog. Borge told us a few days ago that the men were leaving Norway on the day before the summer solstice, what's known in those parts as Midsummer's Eve.

Our research tells us that they celebrate this particular occasion far more in the Nordic countries than we do here. Which is only understandable: after the nine months of winter that they have to endure each year, it's only natural that they should mark the arrival of the summer in some style (or in any event with a lot more pomp and ceremony than we do). It's a bit of a moveable feast, though, and from one year to the next it's never totally clear which day exactly is Midsummer's Eve...

But that doesn't matter. Surely the most important is to know that Borge and Thorleif Thorleifsson really have set off on their great adventure.

Keep track of the expedition throughout the summer.

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