Greenland Expedition 2010

As a personal note, I would like to share some thoughts about the perks of being Norwegain. Being born in Norway both Petter and me have enjoyed the opportunity to be raised in a culture where sub zero temperatures, snow and skiing is part of everyday life. We live in a country where everyone who feels like it can pack a tent and ski into the wilderness to enjoy the beauty of nature in winter. During the colder part of the year, all the sporting goods stores are filled to the brim with first class winter equipment. It’s just as common for kids to participate in cross country ski races in the winter, as it is playing football during the summer season. Norway also boasts a proud tradition of polar exploration, and some of todays most significant polar adventurers are listed in our local phone book.

As the winter season is fading into memory I can’t help but being thankful for the opportunities we have been blessed with. When it comes to preparing for a four week trip across the Greenland ice cap, Norway is the place to be. Among others, Robert F. Scott trained in Norway before he left for his legendary Antarctic expedition in 1911.

Yesterday I completed the book “Grønland på langs” (Greenland Lengthways), by Jon Michelet. For me, this will temporarily be the last in a long line of Norwegian books about polar expeditions. I am substituting the frigid literature for something warmer until fall comes in October. Next up is Hemingways “The Snows of Kilimanjaro”.