Later this month, a 10-year-old Norwegian girl sets out on the expedition of her young life — 600km across Spitsbergen from south to north.
Mina Floriana Read has already spent 700 nights in a tent with her father, expedition leader and filmmaker Alexander Read. Together, the pair have already traveled 4,500km on skis and foot, but this will be their biggest joint challenge yet.
Mina and Alexander Read. Photo: Alexander Read
“I’m really looking forward to going on another expedition with Daddy,” says Mina. “I’ve been preparing for a long time with training, extra schoolwork, and by learning more about Svalbard. The most important thing is being together with Daddy, but I really hope I get to see polar bears along the way.”
Father and daughter will not be alone. Are Johansen, an experienced Norwegian polar traveler, will accompany them, along with a safety team of three other skiers and one dog, a Greenland-Siberian husky cross named Dirigenten.
Mina began her camping career early. Photo: Alexander Read
The journey is expected to take 46 days. Her father will film the expedition, turning this experience and Mina’s past explorations into a feature-length documentary for children and families.
The public can follow Mina’s journey at this website.
