Concept
Overview | Ethos | Science | Exploration | Mountaineering
Explore a Pristine Wilderness!
Discover the wilderness and beauty of west Greenland. It is wild, beautiful and very remote. Glaciers cut through steep jagged mountains and fast flowing rivers carry silt to the fjords. The expedition will be based in the Tasermiut fjord, 50km from Nanortalik (the nearest town). The area has been chosen because of its relative inaccessibility and because it is visited by relatively few people. Tasermiut fjord is an iconic arctic landscape with steep rock faces, a glacier snout abruptly carving ice bergs in to the water and U shaped valleys abounding. The ice cap has numerous Nunataks in this area which makes for dramatic scenery.
What's involved?
The expedition will last 5 weeks departing mid July. There will be three phases to the expedition which will occur in different sequences. The expedition will fly to Narssarssuaq then take a ferry to Nanortalik. Small boats will then ship the expedition to a base camp. It will be possible to use the expedition to qualify for Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award (D of E) Expedition and Residential phases. For more details on the D of E award..... click here.
The John Muir Award is an environmental award scheme focused on wild places. It encourages awareness and responsibility for the natural environment, in a spirit of fun, adventure and exploration. The YE's involved in this expedition are encouraged to join and gain these awards. For more detailed information....Click Here.
Adventure
This whole expedition will be an adventure! The topography is astounding and the Young Explore (YE's) will have opportunities to learn and explore with world class leaders. During the trekking phase the YE's will learn how to travel in this challenging environment, whilst minimising their essential equipment to enable them to travel further. The YE's will be pushed up to and usually beyond their pre conceived limits and learn vital lessons about their own abilities, skills and weakenesses as well as other people on the expedition. During the ice phase the YE's will be taught how to journey safely on glaciers and other essential mountaineering skills such as walking in crampons, ice axe arrest, roping up, travelling on steep ground, crevasse rescue and camp craft will ensure that any time spent in this wonderful landscape of mountain, rock and ice will be done so safely and with the minimum risk to all involved.
Science & Fieldwork
With the excellent geology, glaciology and geomorphology Tasermiut Fjord offers fantastic opportunities for some fascinating fieldwork projects. More details on the scientific field work can be found by .....clicking here.
This scientific field studies will investigating aspects of climate change, the processes involved in the formation of this dramatic and unique landscape whilst other opportunities such as botany, social science research, expressive arts, painting, photography and sculptures will deffinatley be available. Expedition members will be encouraged to use the knowledge and experience gained to prepare projects, portfolios and schemes of work for School and University courses.
Requirements
What is required from the YE's is an enthusiasm for wild places, a curiosity about strange environments, some previous experience in the outdoors, a willingness to face discomfort cheerfully, willingness to work with other members of a team, an ability to organise oneself and above all a good sense of humour. Without a doubt each one of these traits will be tested, can you accept the challenge?
