2027 “Full” North Pole Expedition
The Arctic Ocean is one of the most remote and inhospitable environments on the planet, and the journey from land to the Geographic North Pole is easily one of the most difficult adventures in history. In spring 2027, a team of five committed adventurers will have the opportunity to join renowned polar adventurer and expedition guide Eric Larsen on a once-in-a-lifetime expedition to the Geographic North Pole.
Why Now?
Due to a variety of environmental, political and logistical factors, no one has completed a land-to-pole crossing since 2014. For 2027, Eric has secured logistical support from Siberia for drop-off, resupply and pickup at the North Pole. This creates a rare opportunity to attempt the full crossing of the Arctic Ocean from land to the Geographic North Pole.
About the Expedition
Traveling by skis, snowshoes and sometimes swimming, expedition teams must navigate a constantly shifting ice pack of pressure ridges and open leads of water for nearly two months. With no permanent landmarks or established routes, the surface conditions form a maze of broken and fractured sea ice. While there have been nearly 14,000 summits of Everest, fewer than 250 people have completed the full crossing of the Arctic Ocean from land to the Geographic North Pole.
The Expedition
The Full Arctic Ocean Crossing
The route from Cape Arctichesky to the Geographic North Pole spans roughly 620 miles / 1,000 kilometers across the moving surface of the Arctic Ocean.
This expedition is designed for competent and capable individuals who are committed to working together as a team. It is an opportunity to develop expedition skills, test personal limits and experience one of the planet’s last truly wild places while pursuing an objective that few others in history have completed.
Participants will travel by ski and snowshoe, manage pressure ridges and open leads, establish camp on moving sea ice and contribute fully to navigation, equipment management, meal preparation and daily decision-making throughout the expedition.
ARRIVAL
Fly to Krasnoyarsk, Siberia.
EXPEDITION START
Fly to Cape Arctichesky for the expedition start.
RESUPPLY 1
First expedition resupply.
RESUPPLY 2
Second expedition resupply.
RESUPPLY 3
Third expedition resupply.
ARCTIC TRAVEL
Continue north across the shifting Arctic Ocean ice pack.
NORTH POLE
Arrive at the Geographic North Pole.
EXTRACTION
Fly from the North Pole to Krasnoyarsk, Siberia.
DEPARTURE
Return home.
Preparation & Commitment
Preparing for the Arctic Ocean
Expedition Preparation
This is not a guided sightseeing trip with Sherpa support. It is an authentic polar expedition where participants will be required to help in all aspects of expedition life. Success begins long before stepping onto the Arctic Ocean. Every accepted participant will complete a comprehensive preparation program that includes personalized physical training guidance, equipment selection and testing, expedition planning and logistics, remote preparation sessions and a mandatory Arctic Ocean training course before departure.
Expedition Readiness
By the expedition start, every team member should be confident operating safely in extreme cold while traveling and camping as part of a self-sufficient expedition team. Participants must be prepared for long days, severe cold, difficult surface conditions and the uncertainty inherent in remote Arctic travel.
Expedition Commitment
The full Arctic Ocean crossing to the Geographic North Pole remains one of the world’s most demanding expeditions. Embarking on an adventure like this means accepting variables outside your control. There is significant uncertainty involving flight timings, weather, surface conditions and more. Participants should expect to contribute fully to camp setup, meal preparation, navigation, equipment management and daily decision-making.
The Ideal Candidate
The strongest applicants are curious, humble, adaptable and motivated by learning rather than simply reaching a destination. We value people who stay calm under pressure, encourage teammates, solve problems creatively, embrace discomfort with a positive attitude and want to become stronger expedition travelers through experience.
Tentative Expedition Cost: $265,000 USD
Final costing is contingent on fuel costs and additional logistics-sharing opportunities. Costs could be higher or significantly lower if Barneo becomes operational in 2027.
Expedition Application
Application
Fee Includes:
All expedition guiding and logistics, prior consultations, required training programs, plane and helicopter flights and lodging associated with the expedition program from Krasnoyarsk to Cape Arctichesky and back from the North Pole, expedition food and stove fuel, use of group gear, safety/navigation/communications equipment, and an expedition blog with updates and live tracking.
Fee Does Not Include:
Travel to and from Krasnoyarsk, travel to and from training sites, hotels and meals at training sites or in Krasnoyarsk, additional delay-related costs, personal ski/travel/sleeping gear, personal snacks, evacuation/hospitalization/repatriation costs and insurance, additional Barneo accommodation and meals, or excess baggage.