Greenland Expedition: 300 Km Reached in Icy Cold

Day 15 of the Expedition: Braving the Cold and Reaching a Milestone

Today, Thursday, August 28, marks the fifteenth day of our expedition in Greenland. We have exciting news to share, but let’s start at the beginning. The day began with an icy surprise: a temperature of minus 18 degrees Celsius. This was colder than the predicted minus 14 degrees, and the coldest we’ve experienced so far during this expedition. It took some getting used to and was certainly a shock. Our hands and feet felt the cold immediately. As every morning, we started with a check-in to discuss how we slept and if there were any issues. Then we quickly set off to warm up, which eventually took two shifts. During the second shift, we saw the sunrise, which was a breathtaking spectacle. The horizon turned pink before the sun fully rose and gave way to a clear blue sky.

Northern Lights and Cold Nights

The clear night also gave us a glimpse of the Northern Lights, observed by David and Susana. Although it wasn’t strongly visible, we could only see it thanks to the cloudless sky. However, these conditions also led to the cold night with minus 18 degrees.

An Important Milestone: 300 Kilometers Reached

After the third shift, we reached an important milestone: the 300-kilometer mark. This means we are halfway through our expedition. Although the total distance can range between 560 and 600 kilometers, we consider 300 kilometers as the halfway point. Fortunately, we are also exactly halfway through our food supply, which is essential to return home without issues.

Equipment Troubles and Repairs

Halfway through the expedition, we also assess our physical condition and equipment. Personally, I have my usual blister on my right heel, but otherwise, the team is doing well. Unfortunately, we’ve had some equipment troubles. My glove needed repair due to a loose seam, and a thermometer required a new protective case after damage. A ski pole broke due to the cold; the plastic became brittle at minus 18 degrees. This is frustrating because materials for winter conditions should withstand this. Additionally, a zipper on a sled broke, but fortunately, we can still use it thanks to another runner. Luckily, we have enough repair materials with us, such as spare bindings, tent poles, and even a nail with which we can solder in emergencies.

Toto Figures of Today

Finally, we share our daily figures for those keeping track: today is day 15, on August 28. We are at an altitude of 2,427 meters and covered 29 kilometers today, bringing our total to 312 kilometers. No update from our team tomorrow; the Basecamp manager will tell more about his role. See you the day after tomorrow!