Greenland Fall Crossing
East to West in August - September
The Ultimate Greenland Challenge
This is where polar exploration began. Nansen crossed Greenland east to west in the fall of 1888, and to this day no expedition carries the same weight. If you can cross the Inland Ice in autumn, you're ready for anything the polar world can throw at you.
You'll face icefalls, vast plains, unexpected altitude, and weather that shifts from manageable to severe in hours. Over three to four weeks, you'll learn what your body can do, what a team really means, and — if you let it — something about yourself you didn't know before.
The moment you step off the ice onto firm land is one you'll never forget.
Duration: 24–28 days on the ice
Distance: Approximately 560 km on skis with pulks
Group size: 1–2 guides and up to 8 participants
Departure point: Tasiilaq
End point: Kangerlussuaq
Dates 2026: Mid-August to mid-September — exact dates will be announced
Price: 20,000 € per person (deposit 1,800 €)
EXPEDITION FACTS
Expedition Details
This is a different challenge. This is the same time of year Nansen and his men fought to be the first to cross the great unknown White. He chose the east coast as the starting point — not for any advantage in climate or conditions, but for the simple fact that with almost no inhabitants, turning back or overwintering was no option. Proclaiming "The west coast or death," they set out — and succeeded.
Anyone crossing at this time of year will fully grasp the task, the effort, and the heroics of those 1888 pioneers.
So if you're that little bit more adventurous, this is your time to go.
We meet in Tasiilaq in mid-August and set off by boat two days later toward Isortoq, where we camp right under the icecap. The next morning the expedition begins, and over the following days we play chess with the icefall. Rivers and streams at first, then a rolling landscape of ice like a rough sea suddenly frozen into a wild theme park — before the big crevasses try to bar us from the snowfields higher up. This part of the trip is hard, and a tremendous, satisfying challenge.
Once we're up on good snow, distances grow as we slowly gain altitude. The wind tries to push us back, and as we approach the Summit at around 2,500–2,600 meters, it starts coming from every direction at once. This is often the result of autumn low-pressure systems hitting Greenland from Canada on one side, and storms playing between Iceland and Greenland on the other. It sharpens the senses. We learn to go with the flow and make the most of the good conditions when they come.
After about three weeks we pass DYE II, now totally silent — in stark contrast to the spring trip, when a manned camp operates and maintains a snow-and-ice runway for Hercules planes training for ski landings before serving in Antarctica later in the year. In autumn the area is deserted, and the goofy old building stands out against the silence.
The first cold normally sets in late August. The melting slows almost overnight, the huge rivers dwindle to small streams, and the lakes up on the plateau begin to freeze over.
Not far past DYE we see the first signs of those frozen lakes. The terrain slowly starts dropping off, the surface grows more sculpted, and by the time we descend into the icefall, the huge gullies carved by the meltwater rivers make us work hard for every meter. Lower down we still encounter water trapped in riverbeds 10–15 meters deep with vertical sides, forcing testing detours and big jumps. Spirits had better be high here — this labor is not for the faint-hearted.
Sometimes progress slows to a single kilometer in several hours. But land is in sight, and that spurs us on. As we finally step off the ice, we stand in awe of Nansen and his team. It is mid-September — the end of the season, just as the Inland Ice closes for the winter.
We're picked up at Point 660, and after a scenic drive we find ourselves in Kangerlussuaq for the first beer, the first shower, and a proper celebration meal.
The Route
Days 1–2.
Traveling via Iceland (at least for participants coming from the east), we meet up in Tasiilaq, a picturesque town and the unofficial capital of Greenland's east coast. Once everyone has arrived, it's straight to the store for shopping. The rest of the time goes to packing and preparing — but we won't miss one last restaurant meal before heading for the ice.
Day 3.
The first half of the day is for finishing preparations and changing into the expedition clothing that will stay on for the next three weeks plus. Clean civilian clothes get mailed to the other side, then it's lunch. In the afternoon we board a small boat for the Isortoq area. The journey past countless icebergs is spectacular. Depending on ice conditions, we arrive in the fjord inside Isortoq — a tiny but authentic hunting and fishing village — in the early evening. From there we carry everything a short distance up to a cabin where we plan to stay the night. We say plan, because storms or local festivities can sometimes render it uninhabitable.
Day 4.
Early the next morning we set off on foot over hard, icy ground. The first stretch is easy, but the ice roughens later in the day as we start gaining altitude. How far we get is impossible to plan. A heavy winter and cool summer can leave the crevasses mostly filled in. The opposite — heavy summer melt — can mean huge crevasses, meltwater rivers, and even crevasses full of water. Either way, it's a wonderful game of chess against a cunning opponent called Mother Earth. What's certain is that we'll be up against some wild, bumpy, challenging ice that will test our stamina and mindset.
Days 5–6 (approx.).
On the second or third day on the ice we negotiate the field with the biggest crevasses. Here we zigzag carefully and find the safest line. On the other side, the skis usually start earning their keep and we begin making real distance.
Days 7–12 (or 13).
Even out of the lower icefall, the work stays hard. On the big rolling hills we gain altitude quickly, and the ski conditions are normally good. We gradually leave the coastal zone behind, and the chance of rain diminishes as the polar climate takes over. We barely notice the last mountains disappearing below the horizon — by then we're focused on the west, and the plains.
We push into the katabatic wind zone and get little rest until the landscape gradually eases. After about ten days the wind starts fluctuating and the weather hesitates as we near the highest point. This is Summit — a long, rounded ridge running south-to-north up Greenland. In the fall, the lows hitting Greenland from Canada in the west and those building between Iceland and Greenland fight for supremacy, and they can play games with us. We usually take a rest day in this area, but rather than planning it, we let the weather decide.
Days 13–16.
Past the highest area, the winds normally stabilize and start pushing from behind. At the same time we move into the flattest part of the journey. These plains are beautiful, and we cover great distances. In good weather, DYE II appears on the horizon days before we reach it — appearing and disappearing, but making navigation easy. When we arrive we camp and may enjoy half a rest day. Beyond a look at this monstrous relic of the Cold War, we go over equipment, sleep, eat, and drink.
Days 17–22.
Soon after leaving DYE II we come across the first lakes filled with summer meltwater. Frozen over now, but a sign of what's coming. Over the next days the ice roughens again as we lose altitude. We still cover great distances, but year to year the havoc done by melting varies enormously. A cold summer with early frost and snow can leave clean ice all the way to within 50 km of land. The opposite, and the fight starts here — the ice looking like a stormy ocean frozen in a millisecond. Hard work, and at the same time utterly fascinating.
Days 23–27.
Exactly how many days we'll need is, as you can imagine, impossible to predict. But that is the greatness of the autumn crossing. If your mind can take it without growing downcast at one surprise after another, you know you're bred for bigger things.
As we drop into the icefall, the smaller rivers grow into riverbeds 10–20 meters wide with steep 10-meter sides (hopefully holding only a little water, with the mega-melt from the plateau now stopped). But land is in sight for the first time, and that spurs us on. We stretch the days and muster everything we have. Progress can slow to a kilometer per hour, but the satisfaction of fighting our way closer is immense. And when we step off the ice together, the sense of accomplishment is the biggest there is.
Later that day a car picks us up and drives us to Kangerlussuaq. Time for a beer, a loooong hot shower, and a proper meal.
Day 28.
The flight back to Copenhagen (again, for most of us) doesn't leave every day. And since we won't know whether we've used 24 or 28 days, we recommend tickets you can change. Then we head home — letting the adventure sink in, and quietly pondering where to go next.
What is included
We handle all paperwork and cover the fees — applications, group search-and-rescue insurance, crossing permits, radio and communication, weapons. We supply food, sledges, tents, stoves, fuel, and safety equipment including Iridium satellite phone, emergency beacon, VHF radio, GPS units, maps and waypoints. We're responsible for the medical bag, spares, and repair kit, plus a training weekend — and we'll answer any question you have along the way.
What is not included
You bring your own personal clothing, skis, boots, poles, sleeping bag, mattress, and stuff sacks. You choose and pay for your own flights, and cover board and lodging for the days before and after the ice, and during the training weekend.
You must have your own medical-evacuation insurance covering personal accidents and trouble — this on top of, or including, normal medical, travel, and cancellation insurance.
If you have food allergies or intolerances you may be asked to contribute, so we can be sure you have enough safe, high-quality food. Any unforeseen delays or group changes of plan may also result in extra cost. We recommend return tickets that can be changed, or a wide margin at the end of the trip.
The Deposit
We send you a deposit invoice of €1,800 at the time of booking. Here's how it works: your booking form gives you a place in the queue, but isn't binding in any way. It only becomes serious when you receive a deposit invoice. The deposit is non-refundable under our travel conditions — but once paid, you're in and the trip is on. Final payment is due six months before the start, around mid-February, or as detailed above.
All payment and deposit details are subject to our travel terms and conditions.