Fitness:
One major prerequisite for the expedition is a solid endurance. We are planning to travel 20 km per day in flat and moderate hilly terrain. The pulks (sleds) that have to be pulled weigh 100 kg each. On climbing days we will cover 1200 m to 2000 m in altidude difference, carrying a 20 kg backpack. The average day will equal a 10 hour alpine tour.
Technical skills:
Our mountain ascents in Greenland will be pure glacier, snow and ice climbs. The technical difficulties will typically be in the alpine grade AD (fairly difficult, ice slopes of 55 degrees).
To cover long distances in flat terrain we will also uses kites, should the wind conditions allow it. Very solid snowkiting skills are an important safety requirement for this.
Further:
The climbs in the mountains of Greenland will be stenuous. Compared to the Himalayas or the Andes the altitudes however are rather low (up to 3700m). An average alpine mountaineer will not need any altitude acclimatization.
Special attention however has to be paid to the factors of total solitude and permanent cold. These factors do not only require special equipment, solid logistic planning and fitness, but also psychological toghness of the group. The latter must not be underestimated for an expedition afar from any civilization. We are lucky to be a well-rehearsed team, with several years of shared alpine experiences. The homogeneity of our team has been well proven in many common situations on the limit. This will be an invaluable advantage in the Arctic.
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