Climb the highest peak in the Arctic

• Video
• Tour Description

  Highlights of the Tour

  • The Highest Peak north of the Arctic Circle
  • "The 8th Continent"
  • Mountains arising from the Greenland Ice Cap

  Climb the highest peak in the Arctic

  Greenland’s highest mountain Mt Gunnbjörn is also the highest peak located north of the Arctic Circle. Therefore it does not just hold the title of being the highest peak in Greenland but is also the highest peak of the Arctic (3694m).

  Because of the huge size of Greenland, Mt Gunnbjörn has been called the 8th continental peak. On the east coast, where massive mountains rise from the Greenland icecap the conditions are pristine, similar to those you find in Antarctica. Mt. Gunnbjorn is easily accessible on a ski-plane from Iceland. Once in the Watkins Mountains we set up a comfortable base camp at the foot of the mountain. To make the summit day easier we establish one camp on the way to the summit. The climb can easily be done on snow shoes with only the last part done on crampons.

  This is a compact 5 day arctic adventure. We also offer a 11 day alpine touring ski expedition in this area if you are a competent backcountry skier.

  Note that there is a risk of delay of the flight from Greenland cause of weather, a fact that has to be considered when participants plan their flight out of Iceland. Book an open ticket!

  Elevation: 600-1100m per day snow shoe or alpine ski touring: 5 days
  Max. ascent: 1100m (3610')
  Guide Ratio : 1 guide per 3 partipants 

  Included:

  • Private chartered ski-plane from Akureyri to the Watkins mountains and back.
  • Icelandic expert guide.
  • Flight from Reykjavík to Akureyri and back with 20 kg of personal baggage (and 6 kg of hand luggage of limited volume).
  • Expedition permits, and all other permits needed for the expedition.
  • Evacuation insurance for all expedition members.
  • All common gear and equipment such as glacier travel gear, pulks/sledges to transport bags, satellite phone for security, solar panel with 12V charger, tents, stoves and all food in Greenland with one week emergency supplies.

  
  Not included:

  • Excess weight of personal luggage on the flights between Reykjavík and Akureyri. 
  • Cost due to delay of flights. 
  • Hotel in Iceland before departure to Greenland and after the return from Greenland.
  • Personal travel insurance.
  • Personal mountaineering equipment and skis.
  • Personal use of satellite phone.

  Note on the Price

  The prices given above is the price when we reach the minimimum number of three participants. 
  If you prefer to have the trip private, or not depend on other bookings, the prices are as following

  1 person : 7.490.000 ISK 
  2 people per departure : 3.990.000 ISK per person

• Tour Itinerary

  Day 0: Preparation meeting with the expedition leader. Briefing and gear inspecetion.
  
  Day 1: Flight from Reykjavík to Akureyri in the morning and from Akureyri to Greenland in the afternoon. We put up our camp at the landing site or head higher up depending on conditions.
  
  Day 2: We move our camp up and closer to the summit of Mt. Gunnbjörn.
  
  Day 3: Ascent of Mt. Gunnbjörn summit and back to the camp.
  
  Day 4: Spare day to climb Mt. Gunnbjörn or to use in sightseeing or to climb other summits in the Watkins Mountains.
  
  Day 5: Flight back to Iceland. Flight from Akureyri to Reykjavík where the trip ends at the domestic airport.
  
  
  Note that there is a risk of delay of the flight from Greenland cause of weather, a fact  that has to be considered when participants plan their flight out of Iceland. Book an open ticket!

• Map