Expedition Boreas

Named for the Greek God of the cold North wind, this is a self-guided, self-supported, ski expedition deep in the high Arctic archipelago of Svalbard in the final throes of winter. In this beautiful but inhospitable land of ice, we anticipate extreme cold, maelstroms of wind, ice and snow, treacherous and vast glaciers, unstable and shifting sea ice, fierce mountain ranges and the ever-present threat of the Earth’s most dangerous apex predator: the Polar Bear.

The expedition will commence on 25 March and, with luck on our side, complete on 7 April 2025.

The team consists of Chris Ellyatt, Paul Willis, Skylar Lobdell, and Rob Davies. Each has unique and extensive experience in the outdoors. Last year we completed a similar adventure in Svalbard, Expedition Prospice 2024:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/expeditionprospice?utm_term=26xa4A2Ve

https://youtu.be/bkhK1XZgBNU?si=fQFjUG13BxbJUWCi

Having learned a lot during our first expedition, we are determined to return during the much colder month of March, as the sun finally creeps just over the horizon for the first time in six months at this northerly latitude. We intend to venture further North on to the vast and little-explored region of the permanent ice cap that blankets areas of the island far away from human habitation.

The objective of Expedition Boreas 2025 is to follow the route of a similar expedition made in 1976, and to reach the summit of Newtontoppen, the highest mountain in the Arctic. The expedition begins with a journey on snowmobiles from the Arctic outpost of Longyearbyen ( capital of Svalbard) northwards to near the top of a glacier called Ragnabreen, in Olav V Land, 1000m above sea level. This is where a base camp will be established. Essential equipment and supplies will then be loaded into Paris-Pulk sleds and backpacks. From there we will be walking on skis, or crampons, pulling our sleds across the ice cap, northeast towards Newtontoppen. The team will be roped together to minimize the risk of anyone being lost in one of the many glacial crevasses. Each evening a camp will be built using one or more tents, snow holes and snow blocks. Stoves must be used to melt snow and ice to fill our flasks with drinking water, make tea, and reconstitute our dehydrated rations. Between 10pm and 6am each member of the team will keep watch for Polar Bears in two-hour rotations whilst the others sleep. Keeping watch will be assisted by the fact that the sun will only be dipping below the horizon for a few hours giving us Nautical Twilight, rather than full darkness. However, if a storm blows in, we could be in white out conditions with 80mph+ winds and temperatures below -20 Celsius. The coldest previous temperature recorded in March on Svalbard was -46.3 Celsius in 1986. Being on watch in these conditions might be a bit more testing, as will just getting to our goal and back to the base camp.

The team hope to raise money again this year for a good cause; our chosen charity is Polar Bears International. We are hoping the bears will know we are working to help them, and so therefore give us the benefit of not considering us for dinner.

Polar Bears International - https://polarbearsinternational.org (Expedition Boreas is not affiliated in any manner with Polar Bears International or any of its programs, projects or websites).

Itinerary

Day 1

● From Longyearbyen, head South East, turning East following Adventdalen with snowmobiles and sled-trailers.

● At Passhtta, turn North East Trail through Eskerdalen until reaching Sassendalen. Following Sassendalen North West until reaching the sea ice (waypoint “Bravo” DD 78.33498 16.85626 / DDM 78°20.099' 16°51.376'). Guidance on current sea ice conditions to be confirmed upon arrival in Longyearbyen prior to departure of expedition.

● Cross Tempelfjorden only at high tide, North East to reach the coastline at Murdochelva, ensuring careful observation to avoid disturbing wildlife and checking of ice stability.

● Gain the Burn Murdochbreen glacier, course NNE, passing Boltonbreen to the west, then descending Methuenbreen to valley floor (waypoint “Charlie” DD 78.54133 17.02989 / DDM 78°32.480' 17°01.793').

● Head NE then directly North at valley head, passing Florabreen to right, then passing Ferrierfjellet and Terrierfjellet on the West side.

● Cross Nordenskioldbreen inside Management Area 10 (MA10), but at around 500m above-sea-level to avoid crevassed area.

● Establish Camp 1 (waypoint “Delta”) between area of McCabefjellet and Flemingfjellet (DD 78.71713 17.06170 / DDM 78°43.028' 17°03.702'). Establish basecamp, stowing snowmobiles.

Day 2/3

● Proceed on skis NE, turning North then NE past Slatertoppane and East of Oberonhamare, crossing Oranusisen. Reach Sentralishetta to waypoint “Echo” (DD 78.90878 17.38350 / DDM 78°54.527' 17°23.010').

● Proceed North, on East side of Jupiterfjellet, across the upper part of Kvitbreen to waypoint “Foxtrot” (DD 79.00546 17.42400 / DDM 79°00.328' 17°25.440') and establish Camp 2.

Day 3/4

● Gain North / NE aspect of Newtontoppen, attain summit, ski descent via same route back to Camp 2 / waypoint “Foxtrot” (DD 79.00546 17.42400 / DDM 79°00.328' 17°25.440').

Day 4/5

● Depart point “Foxtrot”, ski back on same outbound route via waypoint “Echo” (DD 78.90878 17.38350 / DDM 78°54.527' 17°23.010'), return via same route to basecamp “Delta” (DD 78.71713 17.06170 / DDM 78°43.028' 17°03.702').

● Reclaim snowmobiles, camp for night.

Day 5/6

● Reverse Day 1 route, passing waypoint “Charlie” DD 78.54133 17.02989 / DDM 78°32.480' 17°01.793'). Check once again at Murdochelva for sea ice conditions and wildlife, high tide, then continue vigilance during sea ice transit.

● Pass waypoint “Bravo” (DD 78.33498 16.85626 / DDM 78°20.099' 16°51.376'), return SE through Sassendalen, rejoining the pass into the upper valley of Adventdalen and returning into Longyearbyen.

● Debriefing, and a few beers in the warmth of a pub in Longyearbyen!