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Greenland Quest
n June 2001, the 54ft steel ketch NORTHANGER left leave St Johns Newfoundland, bound for the wild northwest coast of Greenland. Here can be found a particularly spectacular region of granite cliffs in remote fiords that plunge directly into the sea from heights of over 3000 feet. No comfortable beaches or landing areas can be found near the cliffs, the sheer walls begin at the waterline. Hitherto unvisited by climbers, this area was last year reconnoitered by Northanger's owners, Keri Pashuk and Greg Landreth on their return voyage from a winter expedition in the Canadian High Arctic. What they found there was a climber's dream; unscaled vertical rock walls of world class quality. The sailing challenges faced in accessing the area were unparalleled and the couple decided there and then that this would be the arena for their next expedition. On board Northanger in 2001 will be an eclectic crew of sailors and climbers heading north in attempt to put a route on one of these arctic walls that will challenge all those involved (and their equipment) to the limits of their expertise. Greenland is a country that has always attracted adventurers. Its remote, icebound coasts and barren, wind blasted icecap have been the backdrop for many an epic of arctic exploration. For centuries, men have been driven there by dreams of fortune and glory, sailing there from Europe and the Americas in vessels of almost every description. In the past, the main thrust of these explorations have been either for the purpose of exploitation of its bountiful natural resources or for geographical exploration. Lately, Greenland has been discovered by climbers and yachtsmen in search of the rugged wilderness experience that is offered in very few other places on earth. As the world "becomes smaller," the alluring possibility of unexplored terrain and unmet challenges makes Greenland a destination of choice for those still imbued with the restless spirit of the explorers. The team strongly believes that this remarkable journey should be recorded on film. Using mini-DV equipment, they plan to gather the video footage that will allow the production of a broadcast quality documentary of the voyage. To give the final product an "edgy" nature it is planned that the expedition members will do all of the camera work. This is also necessary because of the space limitations implied by the size of the boat. All of the team have had video shooting experience in extreme situations, and are confident that an exciting record of the expedition's story can be produced after editing the footage gathered at the expedition's completion. |
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