Sedna Goes Climbing
Freedom, autonomy and lightness in the Arctic. Amphibious expedition on the East coast of Greenland.
To explore the mountains on the East coast of Greenland, we led a month-long expedition starting in Iceland this summer.
Driven by a quest for freedom and autonomy, we sought to free ourselves from logistical dependencies and geographical constraints, while limiting our impact as much as possible. To achieve this, we chose to be light and adaptable, mixing mountaineering and navigation, using a sport catamaran as a vehicle and eliminating all the unnecessary.
Driven by a quest for freedom and autonomy, we sought to free ourselves from logistical dependencies and geographical constraints, while limiting our impact as much as possible. To achieve this, we chose to be light and adaptable, mixing mountaineering and navigation, using a sport catamaran as a vehicle and eliminating all the unnecessary.
The story
From Reykjavik to the ice cap: 700 nautical miles by sport catamaran, three glaciers and a summit.
1. Adaptation
At the beginning of summer, we transformed a second-hand sports catamaran, designed to race a few hundred metres from the coast, into a vehicle capable of sailing on the high seas as well as in the fjords and of transporting our equipment. At sea as in the mountains, we rely on low-tech and reliable systems, which we know how to repair if necessary.
2. Approach
The first step was to reach Greenland by sea. We left Reykjavik on August 3rd and sailed along the Icelandic coast for three days before setting off on a 200 nautical mile crossing to the fjords on the east coast. After two days on the high seas, we landed at 69 degrees latitude, nearly two hundred kilometres from the only village in the region.
At the beginning of summer, we transformed a second-hand sports catamaran, designed to race a few hundred metres from the coast, into a vehicle capable of sailing on the high seas as well as in the fjords and of transporting our equipment. At sea as in the mountains, we rely on low-tech and reliable systems, which we know how to repair if necessary.
2. Approach
The first step was to reach Greenland by sea. We left Reykjavik on August 3rd and sailed along the Icelandic coast for three days before setting off on a 200 nautical mile crossing to the fjords on the east coast. After two days on the high seas, we landed at 69 degrees latitude, nearly two hundred kilometres from the only village in the region.
3. Exploration
For a fortnight, we set out to find glaciers, peaks, ridges and rocky routes to imagine routes, design itineraries, meet obstacles and overcome them. During our three to four days raids, we left our catamaran safely on beaches with our food supplies, and used it to travel between and within fjords.
4. The way back
At the end of August, we sailed for another three days on the high seas to Iceland and back home, to the rhythm of the whales that escorted us for more than half the crossing!
For a fortnight, we set out to find glaciers, peaks, ridges and rocky routes to imagine routes, design itineraries, meet obstacles and overcome them. During our three to four days raids, we left our catamaran safely on beaches with our food supplies, and used it to travel between and within fjords.
4. The way back
At the end of August, we sailed for another three days on the high seas to Iceland and back home, to the rhythm of the whales that escorted us for more than half the crossing!
What lies behind
Combining mountaineering and sailing to explore a mountainous coastline: a sport catamaran as a vehicle for exploration and adventure
A boat for a mountain adventure.
Because it is the only medium that allows us to reach this region, in summer and in autonomy, and to move over significant distances with the equipment and supplies of several weeks.
Because it is the only medium that allows us to reach this region, in summer and in autonomy, and to move over significant distances with the equipment and supplies of several weeks.
Lightness for freedom.
Unlike live-aboard or expedition boats, an ultra-light boat allows us to hoist it ashore and abandon it without worrying about its safety, the weather it will have to endure, drifting ice or the holding of the mooring.
Unlike live-aboard or expedition boats, an ultra-light boat allows us to hoist it ashore and abandon it without worrying about its safety, the weather it will have to endure, drifting ice or the holding of the mooring.
Feeling the environment and getting closer to it
Starkness (a hundred kilos of cargo, including 60 kilos of food) and exposure to the elements are the consequences of this lightness. It is also what brings us closer to the environment in which we invite ourselves: it forces us to tame it rather than to confront it, and naturally limits our impact through less material consumption.
Testimonies
Sharing stories (more to come)
Partners
They supported the expedition
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