Borge Ousland and Vincent Colliard have successfully completed their traverse of the Juneau Icefield in Alaska. This marks the ninth of the world’s 20 largest icecaps that the pair have crossed as part of their long-standing Ice Legacy project.
They were joined on their three-week journey by fellow polar veterans Sarah McNair-Landry and Erik Boomer, who tagged along in a filming capacity.
Beginning from Skagway on September 23, the foursome trekked through dense forest with their sleds strapped to their backs. During the first few days, they navigated through forested areas and across swiftly flowing rivers to the edge of the ice. They then tackled some of the 40 glaciers that feed into the icefield and its flat-topped plateau.
The team found these heavily crevassed glaciers challenging. Progress during these early days, as well as later in the journey, did not exceed 10km per day. This, despite 10-hour travel days.
A stellar team of arctic travelers. Photo: Erik Boomer/Sarah McNair-Landry
On one occasion, amid the labyrinth of crevasses, Colliard broke through a thin snow bridge. Fortunately, the team often traveled roped together, including in camp, so Colliard came to no harm.
Shortly afterward, they reached the main plateau of the icefield, where they expected progress to be easier. However, on day 15, a storm forced them to take a rest day in the tent.
“It’s been challenging, to put it mildly,” Ousland remarked later, referencing both the wet weather and the complex navigation through the Taku Glacier which they used as an exit from the plateau.
