Apr 9 2016
North Pole Route
Route
Anchorage Alaska → Tuktoyaktuk Canada, circa 1,800km
This first part of the adventure is pretty predictable. I will use the existing roads and at the same time get used to the climate and bike, while there is still time to make small modifications.
Tuktoyaktuk → Ward Hunt Island, circa 2,300km
The idea is to follow the shortest possible connection, but an exact route does not exist. It will heavily depend on …
• Ice conditions
The ice conditions at the time will have a big influence on the route to follow as areas with lots of pressure ridges need to be avoided as much as possible. It could be that I stay close to the coastline, but also ride a hundred or more kilometres offshore.
I am hoping to find locals willing to guide me. They are familiar with the area, the climate AND the ice!
Fuel transport and filming & photography, I will leave to the guide or to others. All the rest I’ll do myself, towing a lightweight sledge, preferable pulling no more than 150kg.
Their transport mode could be by dog sledge or skidoo(s). Another option is using a big 4×4 with huge tyres. If anybody has a vehicle that is suitable for this part of the trip and likes to join in, feel free to contact me. In this option also sponsors or others who are interested in traveling in that environment could buy themselves in for a certain stretch or time. After all I will need to find a way to get the budget together.
In case I find a broadcasting company interested in making a documentary from this adventure, there might be a film crew. If so, they can also transport the guide and tow a sledge with fuel. If that luxury is not available, everybody in the team will have to function as cameraman/women.
• Fuel
If fuel is received via droppings, we can follow the shortest available line. On the other hand, there is the much cheaper option to follow a line between remote villages and airports.
The eventually chosen transport mode for the guide/support does also effect the total amount of fuel consumption and amount of spare load that can be taken.
All this will become clear within the next 2 years.
Ward Hunt Island → North Pole
This last stretch will lead me solely over the polar ice. Again, an exact route does not exist and will heavily depend on …
• Ice conditions
Stretches of open water need to be avoided at all costs, so the total distance that will be travelled will most likely become far more than the circa 800 kilometres that it would be if following a direct line. Facing huge pressure ridges could also demand taking a detour.
• Guide/support
The same as is written above is valid here too, except that regular 4×4 is during this leg out of the question.
• Fuel
All the necessary fuel that cannot be carried when leaving Ward Hunt Island, will have to be brought in by air, most likely by a small plane.
North Pole → Civilisation
Riding back is not planned. Nor staying there 🙂 .If it’s possible to pick us up with a small airplane we could consider that. An option is to leave all the gear there and have it flown back by the Russians, when they open their annual base called Barneo. Future will tell.
