From April 13 to May 22, four scientists from the non-profit organization Imaqa, specializing in scientific expeditions in extreme environments, are preparing to embark on one of the most demanding Arctic expeditions: crossing the Greenland ice cap on a 1,700 km kite-ski journey.
The team is currently training in Norway, and the departure will be from Kangerlussuaq to reach Qaanaaq. This project, spanning from the south to the north of the territory, combines scientific research and physical endurance. The goal is to take advantage of the wind force and kite-ski technology to progress on icy surfaces where weather conditions can change rapidly, with temperatures often well below zero and sometimes violent winds.
The researchers, specializing in various fields of ice and climate sciences, will document the state of the ice cap through surface snow collection and chemical analysis. This is an almost unprecedented global crossing. The data collected will be shared with four international research centers.
Kite-skiing is not just an extreme sport, it enables explorers to cover long distances thanks to wind traction, but it requires perfect mastery of navigation, sails, and skis on often invisible surfaces. These scientists will face almost the entire immense ice cap.
Several challenges await: extreme weather conditions, wind as the only engine, over 100 kg of equipment to pull on sleds, but above all an uncertain terrain with crevasse risks.
This challenge aligns with a logic of sustainable polar science and data collection to better understand the climate changes affecting Arctic regions. By using a non-motorized mode of transportation, the scientists limit their carbon footprint while gathering information on ice, snow profiles, and crucial elements for assessing ice melt.
