Across the frozen sea from Cambridge Bay to Gjoa Haven

north west passage

Is this the ultimate mix of
historic and Polar travel?

Join us for this unique 400km expedition along the route that propelled Roald Amundsen for fame. Explorers had for centuries tried to find the sea way between the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean with horrible consequences. So, when Amundsen on the small vessel ‘Gjøa’ made it through in 1906 it was world news.

Now we invite you to experience this beauty of a landscape first hand. We are doing the stretch that has it all: Tundra, packice, pressureridges, polar history, Inuit culture and beautiful people.  From Cambridge Bay to Gjoa Haven.

And how do we know? Ousland Polar Explorers own Bengt Rotmo was one of the first to ski the whole North West passage! So we do know the beauty of this land from the eyes of a polar explorer.

*2024 is fully booked, still available spots for 2025

EXPEDITION DETAILS

We start out in Cambridge Bay, a small village of 1600 in the Nunavut territory in Canada. You may have heard of this place recently, as in 2018 another of Roald Amundsen’s polar ships, ‘Maud’ was rescued from the bottom of the harbor, and brought back to Norway.

We, on the other hand, ski with our sledges in bright, cold polar air. On the way we follow the sea ice, cross Jenny Lind Island, traverse real pressure ridges like those you find on the North Pole, before entering King William Island and the last bit on tundra in to Gjoa Haven. This is the place Amundsen and his men spent two years frozen in the ice on the way trough the passage.

Along the way we encounter lots of different terrain, maybe caribous, muskox and Arctic foxes. It is a journey where the cold, the sea ice, the animals, the history and the locals make an impression for life.

This trip is a perfect alternative to the North Pole.

Equipment

Once booked and confirmed we will send a detailed equipment list, together with our expedition booklet.

Day by day

We will start the trip from Cambridge Bay, although depending on logistics the trip might be in the opposite direction. The first days on ice we familiarize to the challenge and settle into a good routine. We learn, adapt and adjust, in order to make our experience as good as possible. The following day we will walk trough a valley before we enter the sea ice and make our way towards Jenny Lind island. This will be a nice celebration point before we move back to the sea ice and prepare to navigate trough the pressure ridges. We can expect at least 3 days with pressure ridges, maybe more, we really never know before we are in it.

The following days we ski even closer to Gjoa Haven. These will be long days, but we can ensure you that on the ice, time flies. To challenge the ice is like a huge game of chess – and we are up against Mother Earth herself. She is a cunning player and we will meet her many challenges along the way. It will be enjoyable, frustrating and rewarding. The evenings in our comfortable tent are social, with good food and chats. After long days of skiing and so many impressions, you will sleep like a baby in historic landscape.

Training and preparations

Many wonder how to prepare physically for a polar expedition. This will vary from trip to trip and also for each individual. We will therefore provide individual training programs and advice for each participant if needed.

In general we expect people to carry a 20 kg backpack for 8 hours for several days in a row. That’s a physical exercise that is easy to measure, but actual training can and will consist of various methods.

Training and physical preparation for these trips typically consist of at least 3 training sessions a week for at least one hour each. Gradually this should be increased to 4 sessions a week, three months before departure, including one or two longer sessions lasting for more than two hours.

A combination of cycling, jogging, workout in the gym, walking with backpack or pulling rubber tyres is what we recommend. It´s not where you do it that matters, but that you do it. Remember that a cycling session in the gym or a hard work out on the walking machine can be equally as efficient as a session outdoors.

THE PRICE:

• The price for this trip is on top of the page.
• The expedition fee must be paid in full no later than 90 days before departure (minus the already paid deposit)
• The price for 2025 and onwards is not set, but take a 3-5% increase into account to be on the safe side for following years

THE DEPOSIT / SIGNING UP:

The sooner you sign up and commit, the longer you will have to prepare. We see this as essential, and we both get to know each other, and can build the team around your guide.

The system works as follows:
• Your Booking Form will give you a place in the ‘queue’. It is not binding in any way. It only gets serious as you receive a Deposit Invoice (1.500€ Euro) Once paid your place is guaranteed and you are on !
• We will send you our final invoice (see prices on top) approximately 6 months before departure or later if you book late. When the team is full we may ask you to commit (pay in full) earlier - to give those on waiting list better time to prepare.
• The deposit is non refundable according to our Travel conditions.

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

We do all paperwork and cover the fees (applications, permits for the crossing, radio / communication, weapons); We will supply: food, sledges, tents, stoves, fuel, safety equipment like Iridium satellite phone, emergency beacon, VHF radio, GPSs, maps and waypoints; We are responsible for the medical bag, spares and rep kit. - And we answer every question you may have.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:

You bring your own personal clothing, skis, boots and poles, sleeping bag, mattress and stuff-bags, toiletries, thermos, drinkbottles, cuttlery, skin and face protection, books, camera etc.
• You choose and pay your own flights and pay for food and lodging during the days right before and after the ice.
• You must have your own travel / cancellation / medical evacuation insurance in case of personal accidents or injuries.
• If you have food allergies, intolerance, etc you may be asked to contribute and help build up your food rations so that we can be sure you have enough, safe and high quality food.
• Any unforeseen delays or change of plan by the group may also result in extra cost. We recommend return tickets that can be changed.