Day 24

Left or right? There are challenges with either approach and difficulties in switching between the two so we have to get it right. I’m inclined towards the right because I fear the left is luring us into danger further up the glacier and I’m always a little sceptical about river crossings unless you absolutely have to do them or you have somewhere warm and dry to go back to.

I make the call to walk the ground out to the right first thing in the morning to better understand just how difficult the approach to the glacier is. There’s no doubt the load carry over the moraine is going to be unpleasant and there’s a risk someone will take a fall, but I’m convinced the right is the better option. As Exped Leader the decision is mine but I find it hugely useful to draw on the experience around me before time to talk through the options as objectively as possible before committing to the right. Decision made we set off hauling kit.

Unpleasant is an understatement. The moraine field is horrible, but it is manageable and by midday after some truly heroic lifts of kit we have all the stores gathered at the edge of a narrow steep path up onto the glacier. Finally, we can get on the ice. It’s too steep for skis and a double pulk so we switch to crampons and step onto the ice for the first time dragging a single pulk behind us.

The euphoria about being on the ice rapidly fades in the face of a relentless climb up steep snow and ice. Some of the bigger loads need two people to pull them over the steepest bits and every yard is hard fought – but we make progress, slow and steady but progress nevertheless and by 1700 we have the first 8 Pulks high up on the glacier… now we just need to drag the second pulks up. It’s a daunting task but everyone sets to it with surprising enthusiasm making the second climb in record time.

By 2100 we are all established in camp high on the glacier with the steepest climb behind us. 14 hours hard work but we are rewarded by incredible views and the knowledge that we are finally on our way across Greenland.