Greenland Quest

The Voyage

In June 2001, the 54ft steel ketch NORTHANGER will 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.

The first stage of the journey will comprise the crossing of the North Atlantic to make landfall near Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Pushing north as the winter ice moves away from the coast, Northanger's crew will need to deal with the problem of sailing through one of the stormiest regions of this ocean. Icebergs, pack ice, fog and harsh weather will be the challenges here, notwithstanding the fact that at least some of the crew are neophyte sailors. Reaching the latitude of 73 degrees North, the climbers among the team will prepare their equipment for the attempt on the wall. Supported by Northanger, they will endeavor to make the first ascent of one of the cliffs scouted last year from the boat. Big wall climbing, even in warmer regions is an exacting and perilous art. Up here, the key to success will be coordination between the boat and the climbing team and the skill of the climbers. Because most of the seas here are uncharted and prone to invasion by pack ice from the glaciers, Northanger will be at risk for the whole duration of the time she is operating in the area. Because the security of the boat is of paramount importance to the safety of all of the team, the sailors, now shorthanded, will have their work cut out for them. This is the crux of the voyage. If the climb is successful, it will be a dream realized, another page in the history of exploration and adventure and a personal triumph for Northanger and her crew. As the season comes to an end, Northanger will sail south, racing down the coast of Labrador to beat the onset of darkness and savage winter storms which will by then be starting to make their presence felt. Information for future expeditions will also be gathered during the retreat to Newfoundland.