Greenland Explored and sister company Greenland Expedition Specialists have enjoyed a hugely successful summer in East Greenland, with our wide-ranging activities and expeditions covering a huge area of the Ammassalik region.

I was guiding our Hidden Greenland trek through the beautiful valleys and fjords to the north of Kulusuk.  On the whole we enjoyed absolutley stunning (and hot!) weather, and the scenery was breathaking.  It's nice to know that after so many seasons up there it can still be deeply impressive.  Our trekking route first headed up a lovely peaceful valley, filled with inredibly lush tundra and colourful flowers, surrounded by giant mountains and glaciers.  At the end of this one gets the first views of Sermilik Fjord - a very large expanse of water with a series of equally large glaciers at the head.  These are some of the most productive in the world, resulting in the fjord being totally choked with icebergs of all shapes and sizes.  It really is a remarkable sight.  Turning back inland, we wound our way through valleys, mountains and over lofty ridges to reach the tiny and very remote settlement of Tiniteqilaq.  Back to Kulusuk Island from there to explore its rugged coastline and many ruins of former Inuit settlements. 

It was an excellent trip with such a lovely and varied route to enjoy, good weather, lots of wildlife (seals, lots of foxes, even a Gyrfalcon!), some top quality campsites and a really great group of people.  Who could ask for anything more?!  Click here to see a selection of photos from the trek.

In the meantime, Matt was several mountain ranges and fjords to the east, exploring and climbing in a relatively unknown but stunning-looking corner of the Schweizerland Alps.  His trip was equally successful with several fine first ascents followed by a pioneering new route out of the area.  This expedition was followed by a highly energetic sea kayaking and climbing expedition - sounded great fun with lots of adventures along the way.  Even some close-encounters with a few whales!

Also in the area this summer was a climbing team from Cambridge University, for whom GES had organised the logisitics.  After over 5 weeks on the ice, beards and dirty clothes were only some of the results of a, by all accounts, busy and successful trip.  The team of 4 report back that they found huge new route potential.  Travelling up from sea level, the team snow-shoed through the area, ascending both mixed as well as rock routes.  They made no less than 8 first ascents, and only one of the summits they reached during their time in the area had previous visitors (who ceremoniously left a sardine can?!).  In the run-up to, and throughout, the expedition, the team got lots of footage for a BBC Video Nation documentary, the first part of which can be viewed here.  To read the team's diary, check out the website.  Congratulations to the team for a highly successful expedition.

All in all, a very busy and highly enjoyable summer.  It's not quite over yet though.  Matt's currently on his way down from the icecap having been running a training expedition for the Extreme South team who are making an attempt to cross the Antarctic continent later this year.  The nights are definitely drawing in up there now, temperatures are falling, and the first snows are appearing on the peaks.  Time to turn our thoughts towards winter, and start dreaming about the Northern Lights - a very wintery Arctic phenomenon.