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Dog Sledging in the World's largest National Park
North-East Greenland. April - May 2009.

A Dog Sledging journey through a fascinating part of the NE Greenland National Park (the World's Largest), where we'll travel by dog sledge to explore deep into the fjords to encounter the fascinating nature and geography of this region. This journey would be a great opportunity for an adventure and nature film production. I thought I'd let you know.

Dog Sledging in the World's largest National Park - North-East Greenland.

April - May 2009- Join Us.

...View Map of Trip...

Duration 6 weeks roundtrip 660 miles (1100 km), 3 weeks one-way 370 miles (620 km). Travel with local Inuit and John Hoelscher, who accomplished the first circumnavigation of Greenland, using traditional Arctic transport - Dog Sledge and Kayak.

Disclaimer: Please note that dates are approximate dates only and may change.

Departure and return from Ittoqqortoormiit (Scoresbysund) to Daneborg (Young Sound) located at 74,30'N and return. Costs for the journey will cover all food, equipment and travel from Reykjavik, Iceland.

Approximate costs will be about:

$12300 USD, 25 days, dog sledge Northward via the inland fjords, includes a return helicopter flight of around 3 hrs duration, which would be fantastic in itself.

$11300 USD, 22 days, helicopter north to changeover point near at or near Daneborg, 3 hrs duration, dog sledge via the coast and overland to Ittoqqortoormiit (Scoresbysund).

$17600 USD, for the entire journey (6 weeks).

This journey by dog team will take us deep into the spectacular fjords, across low lying peninsulas and along the coast of North East Greenland in the World's Largest National Park. Very few people get the chance to travel through this area, and what better way to experience this is by traditional Arctic transportation, by dog sledge.

This rare journey is planned for the best period and warmest time (with temperatures of about -5 DegC, similar to Spring skiing in the Alps) for dog sledging when the sun will appear daylong in the sky and the sea ice is at its thickest. Accompanied by experienced Inuit guides I will lead the six week journey on this unique adventure, traveling by traditional Greenland Inuit transport with the faithful and powerful Greenland huskies pulling the sledges. We will travel with four 12 dog teams as we travel 660 miles (1100 km) over the snow and ice through this beautiful wilderness area home to arctic wildlife such as musk oxen, polar bears, arctic foxes and hares, seals and sea birds.

The team consisting of eight will give four adventurous souls the chance to witness the beautiful scenery and nature as they learn - one on one - from the experienced Greenlandic guides and myself as we travel as a group deep along the fjord systems such as King Oscar Sound and Keyser Franz Joseph Fjord surrounded by steep mountains, numerous glaciers fed from the Greenland Ice Cap, to the northern point at a station named Daneborg, the home to the Danish military dog sledge patrolmen - The Sirius Patrol. This will be reached in three weeks before we turn south along the sea ice and headlands traveling where the ringed seals lay on the ice in the 24 hr daylight with their new born pups.

There is opportunity for the team members to be flown in/out from Daneborg by chartered helicopter, if they choose the one way journey of three weeks.

The team members will experience village life either at the start or finish of the journey for a 1-2 night stay in a local guest house at Ittoqqortoormiit (Scoresbysund), the northern-most town in East Greenland with a population of around 500 people. There they will be able to meet some friendly Greenlanders and learn how these people live in this northern coastal community on the mouth of the world's largest fjord system, Scoresby Sound. Here there will be opportunities to mix with the local inhabitants and see or purchase unique handicrafts traditionally made from local materials by the Inuit.

The team will be camping in robust expedition tents and heritage listed huts from the fur trapping era, and be treated to wholesome but varied expedition food and Greenlandic delicacies. The team members will be able to witness from the sledge dramatic scenery and will be given ample opportunities for photography and cultural exchange with the friendly people of the High Arctic. I am in the process of discussing details with several film producers for a TV documentary to be made to document the adventure, culture and beautiful nature this area has to offer.

The team members do not need to be fit, but as long as they are in good health and general fitness, able to at times walk or ski alongside the sledge on occasions when the snow is deep or when the ice is pressured, there is no problem. It will also keep them warm. Most of the terrain consists of flat sea ice, with only a few slightly uphill cross country sections where we generally walk beside the sledge. Of course it's lots of fun and excitement sledging down the other side to the sea ice below. I have taken people of all ages on journeys like this before without any hardship. We will guide them with safe and proven methods of travelling, camping and staying comfortable and warm and enjoying the adventure. They will also be able to learn from the locals the traditional ways of travelling and living in this fantastic country. For safety, we will carry satellite communications and safety equipment, and field first aid kits.

The area in these deep fjords is a part of Greenland that I have not yet experienced so it will be very exciting to travel through this remarkable area. Lonnie and I didn't have the time to go deep into the fjords in this area during our coastal circumnavigation, but from chats with members of the Sirius Patrol and Captains of resupply vessels it is one area in Greenland that can't be missed. What better place than this to remove your self from modern life and experience first hand a beautiful part of the world so different to back home.