Lessons Learned on an Ice Cap Adventure Experience

If you're planning to participate in a hike on the Greenland Ice Cap, first consider what that means.

I was supposed to have this experience in 2021, but ended up on a different hike on Russell Glacier. I was the only one on the tour. You can read about that here.

This time I was supposed to be participating in the Camp Ice Cap experience. But, a canceled flight ruined my chances of joining the trip. The tour operator was kind enough to offer me the full day ice cap adventure. Let me tell you that I was not prepared. I was warm enough; After all, Ive been to Greenland enough to know how to dress for the weather. But it doesn't mean that I couldn't do better.

Pick up was 11 AM, and the trip to Point 660 would take two hours, give or take. We stopped at a few interesting places including the site of a plane crash from 1968. I wasn't that interested because it was the 3rd time to hear the story. But we also stopped for lunch in a spot near a small waterfall.

The spot was lovely. Lunch? Not so much. It

I'm a picky eater but also have dietary restrictions. As a Muslim, I don't eat pork. Our guide took out sandwiches. And I asked what they were only to be told that "there's a variety" which wasn't good enough for me. Someone else offered his sandwich which he thought "looked like" beef, but again that wasn't good enough for me. I wasn't the only person with nothing to eat though. Another person had requested a vegetarian lunch. The closest thing to that was an egg and shrimp sandwich. To top it off, I didn't have my water bottle because it didn't fit in my backpack which had 2 cameras in it. My mistake, and I'm pretty sure the guide said he'd have water for us. He did not.

We made it to Point 660, and we got our hiking poles with crampons. Crampons hate me. The feeling is mutual. We were given an opportunity to use the restroom before starting the hike, and then we were off. By the way, don't expect an actual restroom. Nope, not even a port-o-potty. I had hiked to the ice before, so I wasn't worried. My mistake, lol. There has definitely been a change to the amount of ice because I do believe it took us longer to reach the ice than it did when I visited 4 years ago. No worries......for now.

Once we reached the ice, our guide Johan, demonstrated how to put the crapons on. Yes, I realize I wrote "crap" on; that's what they are to me. There were 11 of us, and he inspected everyone's fit before starting.

And so we started. I wasn't sure how it would go since I had gotten so tired just getting ready. But generally speaking, I wasn't worried too much. My biggest concern was just the crampons.

As we made our way deeper inland, the moraine we cross slowly disappeared from view. There was no turning back at that point. It was work, but I was ok. But then I got thirsty, and I had no water. Actually when I thought about it, it didn't look like the guide had any. I pressed on; I was even kind of keeping up with the pace of the group which was definitely faster than my normal pace. I normally stop for photos which slows me down even more. There was no real time for that. We had to stay on schedule so that we'd make it back to Point 660 for the bus returning to town. And then it happened.

What exactly? Well, it would be my first tumble. I hit my knee but I wasn't terribly hurt though my ego was quite bruised. A man who was there with his son helped me up and stayed behind me to make sure I was ok. I wasn't. I was out of breath. Thirsty. And he offered me some water. After I drank the water, I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. I ended up sitting down and resting for sometime while the others took photos waiting for me to be ready. I was also given some sugar cube things which are meant for diabetics which thankfully I am not. But I had been going at it pretty hard with no water or food. Huge mistake. Johan insisted I, along with two others, stay at the front where he could keep an eye on us. We were dubbed "the trouble makers".

We came across some of the most stunning views I've ever seen in my life. To call them incredible is to do them an injustice. I still can't believe what I saw even though it wasn't my first time on the ice sheet.

I found myself out of breath once again. I don't know why I was surprised. I hadn't eaten since breakfast which was not a big enough breakfast to get me through all of that. We stopped again, to wait for me. Someone else ended up carrying my backpack for the remainder of the hike. It was nice to have the weight off my back, but that truly wasn't my problem. I almost fell again, but thankfully, I didn't. It was in that moment that I realized how I fell the first time. And no, it wasn't due to my hunger and thirst. One of the crampons got caught on my pants; they were snow pants. And it almost happened again.

When we reached our starting point, to say I was relieved is an understatement. I couldn't wait to take those crapons off and head back.

I was almost at the end when, you guessed it, I fell again. This time I couldn't blame the crapons. I simply slipped on loose gravel and sand. I was so dirty that I decided that if anyone asked what happened I'd say I got in a fight with a reindeer. We saw reindeer. It could happen. So, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

So what are the lessons I learned from this experience?

Lesson #1

Leave the big guns (cameras). Taking one with a wide lens would have been sufficient. It would have allowed space for my water bottle also. And my backpack would have weighed a whole lot less. On a side note, an action camera is a great option. Just make sure you have extra batteries because they will die quickly out there in the cold.

Lesson #2

Don't be so sure of yourself that you think you can do such things on an empty stomach and little to no water.

Lesson #3

Learn more about the activity you'll be participating in before agreeing to the terms.

Lesson #4

Make sure you pack and dress for the conditions. Snow pants are great and keep you warm. But they are often wider making it easier for crampons to get caught on them. I'm living proof of what can happen.

Lesson #5

Persevere! If you made it that far, just keep pushing and you'll get through it.

Lesson #6

Finally, appreciate the moment(s) you had, the good and not so good ones. You will be stronger for it and better prepared the next time if you do it.