| The development of new areas by Greenland | | | | of development of winter Arctic mountaineering |
| expedition groups from Great Britain has resulted | | | | expeditions in Greenland, an exciting and |
| in much more travel, exploration and ascents in | | | | challenging prospect. In March 2004 Paul Walker |
| the Kronprins Frederik Bjerge, the Lemon Bjerge, | | | | led an international team of climbers who |
| the many peaks round the Kangerdluassuaq Basin, | | | | attempted the first ever winter ascent of |
| the Watkins Bjerge, and areas behind the | | | | Gunnbjørnsfjeld, the highest mountain in the |
| Blosseville Coast such as the Rignys Bjerg | | | | Arctic at 3,693m. Forced back by temperatures in |
| mountains, Lindbergh Fjelde, the Gronau | | | | the -40's and strong winds and frightening windchill |
| Nunatakker, the mountains of Knud Rasmussen | | | | on the summit ridge it will no doubt only be a |
| Land and the remote peaks of the aptly named | | | | matter of time before this, and numerous other |
| Camp Icefield. Further north still, within the | | | | peaks, begin to attract and receive true winter |
| Greenland National Park area, more British groups | | | | ascents. Indeed Paul Walker and Team Tangent |
| have been very active climbing in Goodenough | | | | returned to the mountain in March 2006 to make |
| Land, Louise Boyd’s Land, the Martin | | | | a successful winter Greenland expedition attempt |
| Knudsens and Niels Holgersens Nunatakker and | | | | from the north side of the mountain. Thus, |
| Dronning Louise Land, A major factor in these | | | | although Greenland’s many and varied |
| recent developments since the early nineties has | | | | mountains lack the altitude of the Himalaya or the |
| been the role of Paul Walker and his logistics | | | | Andes, their remoteness and likeness to |
| operation, Tangent Expeditions International, which | | | | Antarctica, and the promise of new ascents will |
| by co-ordination of air operations has facilitated | | | | go on attracting those who search for the |
| access for many expeditions into these more | | | | rewards of exploration and attainment of new |
| remote areas during the 1990's and 2000's. | | | | mountaineering experiences as the 21st Century |
| Further south, the Schweizerland region continues | | | | marches on. |
| to be a major draw for Greenland expedition | | | | Most ice cap expedition routes cross the |
| groups with continuing development of high | | | | Greenland icecap from Isortoq to Kangerlussuaq |
| standard rock climbing, and increasingly the | | | | for two simple reasons …. ease of access and |
| seeking out of big wall climbing as seen in the Fox | | | | price. To embark on such a major polar journey is |
| Jaw Cirque above Tasiilaq Fjord, and on prominent | | | | indeed a privilege and a great achievement. Some |
| peaks like Tupilak by the September 16 Glacier. | | | | leaders continue to support, guide and offer |
| The Staunings alps too, continue to exercise their | | | | unbiased advice to all those who wish to take |
| hold on those seeking demanding alpine climbing. | | | | part in these expeditions. However there is much |
| These trends seem likely to persist, alongside a | | | | more to the ice cap crossing than just one |
| growing interest in ski-touring and | | | | straight line route. There are numerous, |
| ski-mountaineering. Many previously unclimbed and | | | | alternative Greenland crossing routes across the |
| unexplored mountain ranges still exist throughout | | | | glacier, with far more exciting starting points in |
| east and northeast Greenland, containing literally | | | | remote and largely unclimbed mountains ranges |
| thousands of remaining unclimbed summits. | | | | further north and up the east coast. |
| The last few years have also seen the first signs | | | | |