Expedition Overview
Christian IV ∅ is an uninhabited island located south of the Prins Christian glacier in southern Greenland. We are a 9 man team that intend to further explore this island from the 12th July 2007 until the 5th August 2007. We are aiming to put up new technical rock routes (particularly on the unclimbed 800m north-west face of 1549m) and to summit all peaks over 1400m.
Expedition Background
Following an exploratory expedition to Tornarssuk Island in 2005 by Dan O’Brien, Carl Pulley and Dave Whittingham, it was decided that it would be a great idea to head out into this region again. This time placing a greater emphasis on putting up new technical rock routes, rather than one of exploration and peak bagging.
Dan O’Brien drew up a series of potential objectives in the Tornarssuk area and, following an initial team meeting, it was decided that our most promising target would be to climb and explore the southern tip of Christian IV ∅. This island has had one previous climbing visit by University College Belfast, but nothing over 1400m has been climbed. In particular, the highest peak of the island (1549m) has not been summited.
Satellite imagery soon started to show the scale of some of these climbing objectives. In particular, the north-west face of 1549m overlooking the Qardlut delta looks highly promising. Satellite imagery suggests that this is an unclimbed steep rock face. Map contouring suggests that this virgin face is somewhere in the region of 800m high. Thus, we potentially have an unclimbed big wall to explore!
Expedition Risks
Rock and snow avalanches can and do happen here. In 2005, Carl Pulley was almost hit on one occasion by a major snow avalanche as a hanging snowfield collapsed down his intended climbing line! Whilst climbing, most ledges are filled with uncompacted (ie. very loose!) rock scree with the inherent dangers of avalanching your climbing team.
Walking conditions tend to be arduous often over rough and stony ground. Boulders the size of cars are not uncommon. Around streams, the ground is often covered in Crowberry, which hides ankle snapping holes!
One of our biggest non-climbing risks is the Piteraq, a powerful hurricane-force katabatic-wind that streams of the inland ice. In 2005, Dan O’Brien, Carl Pulley and Dave Whittingham experienced at first hand the effects of these winds as they hit their base camp. These winds resulted in one tent being completely destroyed and another being uprooted with its occupant still inside!
Mosquitoes and Black fly are a continual problem in these areas. Fortunately, the Black fly are of the non-biting variety. However, they still love to fly into darker places such as eyes, ears and mouths. Meanwhile, amongst the Black fly, Mosquitoes sneak in. Greenlandic Mosquitoes are capable of biting through most types of clothing (including denim!). Fortunately, they are quite slow and sluggish and so easy to spot.
Financing and Support
This expedition is completely financed by its members. As a result, we have decided to support the charity Get Kids Going. All money raised will go direct to this organization.
