Posted: Aug 29, 2007 11:14 am EST
(ThePoles.com) Last summer, Eric's and Lonnie's attempt to cross the Arctic Ocean on skis and canoe was aborted half-way. Now, American Eric Larsen prepares for a different quest: In 2009 he wants to try the 'three poles' (NP/SP/Everest) - in just one year!

Between sponsor-hunting, preparations, and outdoor life back home in Minnesota, Eric found time to tell ExWeb more.

The 2006 summer expedition

ExWeb: Why was the expedition aborted at the North Pole last year? Do you still think the traverse can be done? Would you like to try again?

Eric: "Ending the trip wasn’t an easy decision. However, our main goal was to create awareness of Global Warming and trying to get polar bears listed as an endangered species. Our web site help get 200,000 signatures on that petition."

"As leader, Lonnie made the decision to end at the Pole based on several factors: Lincoln Sea breaking up in May, unexpectedly wide areas of brash ice and questions about his ankles. While I was not that actual person making the final decision, as a team member I supported his choice."

"I think a summer out and back from Ellesmere to Greenland is still possible – although it would have to happen in the near future – like the next 5 years."

"It would also have to be a really good, fit team. I don’t think it can be done with more than 2 people. Personally, I wouldn’t try it unsupported either. As of now, I am not interested in doing another summer-style expedition. Of course, saying that seems awfully final."

"My main goal with expeditions is to use the story of the journey to talk about environmental issues. I feel my current expedition to Mt. Everest, the North Pole and South Pole will better focus attention on the issues surrounding Global Warming than a third attempt at a summer arctic expedition."

Difference between Russia and Canada starting points

ExWeb: Last year was in fact your second attempt. In 2005, the expedition was called off after 3 weeks due to bad conditions, including deep snow and a steady southerly ice drift. Did you notice any difference between the attempts? What did you change for the second trip after the first experience?

Eric: "In 2006, we left from Canada instead of Russia, so the nature of the ice was dramatically different. Starting out from Ellesmere Island means we ran into larger pressure: Big chunks of ice and long walls of pressure that were more easily detoured than traversed. Initially, most of the leads were relatively frozen; however, they opened up quickly and were fairly open and expansive by the middle of May."

"In 2005 off the coast of Cape Archtichesky, the ice was considerably thinner. During the day we usually broke through one or two times. The pans there were smaller and there was quite a bit of open water."

"Smaller pans, open water and a lot of movement in the ice also meant substantial brash ice in the leads. We also encountered several leads that were covered with ice too thick to paddle through yet too thin to ski across. One of us swam to break ice in these situations. Then, of course, there were the polar bears. Four close encounters with one jumping on the vestibule of our tent while we were sleeping."

"As far as changes, there really wasn’t much. In fact, we used most of the same equipment: same skis, boots, tent, stove, sleeping bags, clothes, long underwear, harness. We switched from a kayaking style dry suit to Helly Hansen’s suit, a studier ski pole and the same model of canoe, but two new ones that we reinforced a bit differently."

No break

ExWeb: What surprised you most during the One World expedition last year? What was the most difficult issue to overcome?

Eric: "I think for most of the North Pole trip, we were continually surprised by the state of the ice. There was never a break in the conditions either – instead of getting bigger the farther north we traveled pans seemed to get smaller in size, more pressure (although not big thick blocks of ice), thinner ice and very large leads.

The difficult part of the trip was that there was no real relief as the journey progressed. There always seemed to be some new danger and type of ice. However, most difficult was trying to get through brash ice sections - hopping from floating chunk of ice to floating chunk of ice.

ExWeb interview with Eric Larsen, part 2: Making all three in one year will be a tight squeeze

ExWeb interview with Eric Larsen, part 3 final: "Arctic explorers are becoming an endangered species"


Last year Minnesota residents Lonnie Dupre and Eric Larsen attempted to cross the Arctic Ocean via the North Pole for the second time. They started on May 2, 2006 from Ward Hunt Island (Canada), and reached the NP on July 1. During the trip, the skiers arranged a resupply, which was airdropped at 87 degrees north. Originally they planned to continue from the Pole until they reached Greenland - but called off the attempt two days after reaching the Pole.

Being a "summer" trip, the team carried their loads on canoe-sleds, which they used to paddle across frequent open water leads.

On a previous attempt in 2005, the expedition was called off after 3 weeks due to bad conditions, including deep snow and a steady southerly ice drift.

Now, Eric Larsen plans to ski to both Poles and to climb Everest within one year - the triple-header taking place in 2009. Eric is still looking for a fourth member to join the NP trip, as well as mates for Everest.

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