North Pole «Last Degree» Trip

10 trips in 14 years

I have been guiding commercial expeditions to the North Pole since 2004, starting from Barneo over the last latitude up to 90 degrees north. My clients see the fascinating beauty of the Arctic in all it’s facets, in a way that very few ever experience. Part of a small group travelling over the vast Polar Sea, with all its’ challenges and rewards, you will surely come out a new person.

Safety has the highest priority level. With conscientiousness, many years of expedition experience and my state-certified qualification as a mountain guide, I will make sure my clients are able to bring home stories of impressive adventures.

Detailed information

Our journey will take us via Oslo to Spitsbergen. The following morning we will fly on from there with an Antonov 74 (a short-runway jet for about 30 passengers). Three hours later we will land on Borneo, a Russian base floating on the ice at the 89th degree of latitude. Every year in April the landing strip is set up again by our Russian partners, its exact location varying every year. At the end of April the ice begins to melt and the temporary «airport» is cleared away.

In order to make the best use of our time on the ice we set off for the Pole the very same day. The distance to the Pole is about 120 kilometers. We have calculated sufficient time to reach the North Pole safely – roughly one week will normally do for that distance. In the beginning it will take us some time to get used to the technique of moving about with skis on ice, but we will gradually cope with the special conditions and the constantly changing terrain. Our entire program depends on the weather, of course. At the Pole itself we will spend at least one night, before the helicopter takes us back to Borneo from where we will quickly get back by plane to Spitsbergen – back to one of the remotest places of the world but which we will think is the centre of civilization after our polar expedition...

And this is what a typical day during our expedition looks like

It is broad daylight for 24 hours. The normal temperature is between 25 to 35 degrees Celsius below zero. The surroundings change all the time, because the current and the wind keep the ice moving.

Wake-up is at 7 o’clock in the morning. Melting snow for water takes a lot of time at 30 degrees below zero. If it is not your turn to prepare breakfast and fill the thermos bottles you can doze for another hour. After breakfast we pack up the tents; all in all it takes us about 2 ½ to 3 hours from the time we wake up till we can set off. But this will become routine soon. Then we are on our way for 7 to 10 hours. During our regular short rests we eat high-calorie food. As long as we keep moving we won’t feel cold. At every ice rib and open water lead we traverse we will always have enough time to enjoy the landscape and to take photographs and films. On these occasions Thomas will also share his know-how as a professional photographer with everyone.

We traverse a frozen sea with 4000 meters of water below the ice. This makes the polar region so unique. In one day it changes from pack ice to solid ice fields, thin icy patches and open water leads. What we will come across most of the time is pack ice where we can only move about slowly. The first thing we have to do in the evening is to find a safe camping-site on a large, stable ice shelf before we make camp and start preparing supper and melting snow (each person needs about four litres of water a day). As soon as everything is done nothing is more relaxing than to crawl into the warm sleeping bag for a peaceful sleep. With the sleeping bags we provide no one will be cold. Most of us will sleep soundly and wake up cheerfully the next morning ready for new challenges.

Fitness level

It goes without saying that excellent stamina for the 7 to 9 days on the polar ice is the most important requirement. The kind of strain we are in for can best be compared to that of long hikes: we will move forward on our skis 7 to 10 hours a day and help each other with whatever job has to be done.

Three normal training units a week during some months before the journey starts should do as a preparation. For those interested we can put together a training program some time before the journey.

During a mandatory briefing weekend in Switzerland all participants will find out whether they and their equipment are ready for the North Pole.

Risks

It’s quite clear that a journey to an uninviting region like the 89th degree of latitude and the North Pole bears some risks. By and large it is a region where bad luck can have more serious consequences than elsewhere. It has happened before that a traveller to the polar region has broken through the ice. This may be unpleasant for the person concerned but is no serious problem since in a situation like that the whole group can help.

Other incidents such as minor injuries, frostbites or sudden illnesses cannot be entirely excluded. In an emergency a helicopter from Borneo Base – there is normally at least one there - can be alerted within a short time. Helicopters are less dependent on weather-conditions than planes and can take off and land in nearly any circumstances. Normally there should also be a doctor at Borneo Base, but we can’t guarantee that. The nearest hospital is at Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen and it takes quite some time to get there (usually at least ten hours).

The expedition is equipped with firearms and warning shots in case we should come across polar bears. They usually don’t live that far north, but there are exceptions.

We take along spare parts for the most delicate items of the equipment. We work with two separate means of communication: an iridium satellite phone and an emergency radio signal.

To sum up one has to be aware that with regard to the specific conditions of this expedition it cannot be compared with ordinary journeys. It is clear, too, that there is a certain risk of accidents and injuries and that each participant takes part in the expedition at his or her own risk and in full knowledge of this situation. Each has to sign a declaration that he is fully informed about all this and prepared to take the risk.

Equipment

The experience that suitable material and its proper use help you endure extreme cold easily is highly gratifying. In this very context participants will profit immensely from Thomas Ulrich’s profound experience as a leader of expeditions. Putting together the equipment can be an exciting part of the expedition where you can rely on his great experience with polar expeditions.

A briefing weekend in the wintry Swiss mountains is included in the services we offer and gives every participant the opportunity to have his complete equipment tested in view of the polar expedition. The same goes for your own personal equipment or that borrowed from friends. Thus we can guarantee that you are sure to enjoy this polar expedition. In the course of the expedition itself you will also learn a lot about the proper material for extreme trips.

We will put the complete group material at your disposal: Tents, sledges, mattresses, cookers and cooking material, fuel, means of communication (satellite phone and emergency radio), food etc. And this is what is included for you personally: skis, sticks, mittens and gloves, face mask, caps as well as a sleeping bag which is sure to keep you warm.

Equipment you will have to bring yourself (not included): Your personal equipment includes a wind-and waterproof jacket and pants, underwear, fleece jacket, insulation layer (down), thin gloves and sunglasses. If you need some of these items we will gladly advise you or – for an extra charge - put together a complete set.

Find answers to your urgent questions in our FAQ.