Posted: Mar 26, 2010 12:40 pm EDT
On the ice Christian can’t wait to get up in the morning, check out the weather, eat a good breakfast, ski all day and have pleasant conversations in the tent at the end of day. Just back from Carstensz and ready for his 8th Greenland crossing he shares with ExWeb how he experiences the Icecap and the pyramid.

ExplorersWeb.com: You crossed Greenland seven times…

Christian: If you first are infected by the Polar Bug it is more a case of trying not to cross Greenland more than once. Greenland is the easiest and best place to keep sharp at this game.

It is not too long to play havoc with your daily life, and it is long enough to give you a very real challenge. On top of that is it an exam for nearly all other form of expedition, as the mental aspect is big on all Glacier crossings.

As good as all my crossings have been different when it comes to starting point, time of year, with or without dogs.

On the ice everything seems so close. I can’t wait to get up in the morning and check out the weather, eat a good breakfast, ski all day and have some pleasant conversations in the tent at the end of day.

Seven Greenland crossings is nothing compared to what other people do, they go 250 days a year for 40 years to work in front of a computer…

ExplorersWeb.com: Why do you (and all the Scandinavian teams) start from the west and not from the east in Spring?

Christian: It is an obvious thing. You should always go with the flow of nature and the weather.

The east coast has unstable / very unpredictable weather in April and the first half of May. Getting some nasty weather the first 150 km, or the chance of getting stuck in Tasiilaq waiting for a helicopter is too big.

When starting from west you should start before 20th May since the melting process of the glacier usually starts then.

Others seem too hung up in Nansen’s choice of east-west. But Nansen only did that to fight the fright factor in his team. Starting east, it was no option to turn back and stay the winter there. They had to get their asses over – otherwise I guess he would have crossed the other way.

ExplorersWeb.com: The August crossing is not so popular. Why do an August crossing?

Christian: It is a much more complete challenge. The variety in snow and ice conditions plus the very visible (and not-so-visible) crevasses put others off. And then it is very often the case of what you don’t see you don’t fair…

In August there are less people on the ice, and the beauty of a real icecap comes out in full.
…And you get a great hike down if you end up in Austmannadalen.

ExplorersWeb.com: How does it differ from an April crossing? Isn't it too warm with too much melt water?

Christian: No need to start a Greenland crossing from west in April, May is better.
It is not always necessary to search for the most extreme cold. While starting in the first half of May from the west or mid of august from east, you will have approximately the same temperature on top of the icecap.

With correct established GPS-coordinates there is no problem with melt water on the east coast. But, you will most likely run into huge challenges if you try to go down on the west coast any earlier than 1st September. It’s possible, but very wet and very wild.

ExplorersWeb.com: What are the challenging areas/aspects on Greenland?

Christian: I have mentioned some earlier here. But the most important to remember is that it is very, very individual. Everybody will find very different challenges, pleasures and goals based on their experience, need in private life and purpose.

The only thing that is for sure is that everybody will find something big.

ExplorersWeb.com: What clothes and equipment are needed for Greenland conditions?

Christian: Many people bring too many spare clothes when crossing Greenland. Normally you need two base layers and Gore-Tex (jacket and pants) and a down-jacket for the rests. Well, don’t forget skis, boots, mittens, hat, extra socks, sunglasses and the other 80 items.

But the old rule: ‘Keep it simple stupid’ stand tall. Most shell works pretty well, but underwear is where you can make a difference. It is a dual thing based on balls and experience. The less you dare to wear, the dryer and better your life will be. But for that you need experience. The safest thing is to start with a layer of Brynje mesh. That will make everything else work better.

ExplorersWeb.com: What requirements does the Danish Polar Center have to give a team permission to do an expedition on Greenland?

Christian: Sadly the last years there have been many rescue operations caused by bad planning and lack of experience. The government of Greenland asks for personal CV, but it seems like many people overestimate their CV. My fear is that something serious will happen soon.

ExplorersWeb.com: How does Greenland differ from Antarctica?

Christian: The main difference is the heat (or lack of it). A lot of the experience from Greenland is transferable to Antarctica. The low temperatures put the equipment and body for a serious trail.

You must be an expert to cover up without stopping the transport of heat / moist. And you must respect your equipment with religious intensity. In everything you do you must act, handle and protect what you bring. It goes for everything from the zip in the tent to care of your feet. Antarctica is the ‘Big Dig’ in mental approach and concentration as there are no summits to rest your eyes and brain on.

ExplorersWeb.com: You have you own Adventure Company. What training and preparation did you do with your Greenland team? Where are they from?

Christian: Yes, I have my own company L’atitude. Regarding Greenland and the South Pole we have been pulling tires every Monday since September 2009. It is not only great training but also a good way to establish the team. Something I find very important.

In addition to cross Greenland with my Norwegian clients, I also support expeditions from all over the world with my useful hints and facts.

ExplorersWeb.com: You have climbed Carstensz earlier this year. It is known as a technical climb. How did it go?

Christian: It was a great adventure, different from anything I’ve done before. The whole group managed to summit Carstensz after trekking through the jungle for six days in mud, swamps, rain and interacting with the local tribes. Climbers will laugh at me if I say that it’s a difficult mountain. But, the top ridge is technical; the Tyrolean traverse and two other small passages.

ExplorersWeb.com: How difficult was it to go into Indonesia. In the past there were teams that had to camouflage themselves to get safely to the mountain. Could you openly move around?

Christian: For the time being there are only two ways to enter Carstensz, either by helicopter or by hiking through the rainforest from Sugapa. You need time, and money – sadly, many of the locals and companies down there try to rip you off.

ExplorersWeb.com: The physical daily activities in the mountains and on the ice fields are different. How do you orientate your mind for the mountains?

Christian: On the ice you need to gain progress every day. The daily routine is easy; 8h sleep – 1.5h breakfast - 5h skiing + 10 min breaks every hour – 1h lunch – 5h skiing + 10 min breaks every hour – 2,5 h dinner. It’s not much time to read any books, but it’s plenty of time to socialize and have fun while skiing.

In the mountains I try to keep the same strict time regime and take as much cross-over as possible in the form of constant focus and push. ‘Keep moving’ is my way. If you have to rest too much on your way up you have not done your physical homework before leaving.

ExplorersWeb.com: Are you going for the Seven summits?

Christian: Hmmm… It is not something I am aiming for. It sort of does not trigger my ego. Too many have done it without bringing the (my?) world any further. But if the cards fall right it will happen, but then hopefully together with a lot of other cards.

Christian Eide was born in 1975 and lives in Oslo Norway. He has a Masters degree in Engineering, is and expedition leader and owner of an adventure company, Latitude AS.

Apart from his 7 Greenland crossings and other ice field expeditions he was leader of a record breaking Norwegian South Pole expedition who skied from the Messner (Ronne-Filchner Ice shelf) Start in 24 days 8 hours and 50 minute and averaged a very fast 36.87 km/day.

Christian has also climbed mountains: Denali/ mt McKinley, mt Vinson, Cho Oyu (no oxygen, no Sherpa), Kilimanjaro x 6, Elbrus x 2, Huscaran, Aconcagua by Polish Glacier, Carstensz Pyramid, Pequeno Alpahamyo, Condorriri, Anchohuma, and more.

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