Industry News
For the first time in 18 years, North Pole expedition season at Barneo ice camp has been canceled. That means that hundreds of participants including 10 last Degree teams, will have to forfeit their opportunity of reaching the Top of the World. After almost two weeks of exasperating delays, the season has been canceled due to a lengthy political crisis, as well as weather and inability to have the proper aircraft to transport the adventurers safely to Barneo Ice Station.
“It has been an emotional roller coaster with ups and downs over the last two weeks,” states International Polar Guide and Founder of Ice Axe Expeditions, Douglas Stoup “but in the end, the cancellation of the North Pole season means that my 18 seasons to the North Pole will elude me. I am confident my clients will want to come back next year, but overall, it feels like it has been a waste of time after jumping between six different hotels during high season.”
Victor Serov, Barneo Basecamp Manager, states:
“This season was very difficult for us for different reasons. An Antonov-74 was chartered from the Ukraine by a Swiss company and actually flew here [Longyearbyen] but they didn’t want to do the work, according to the contract.”
Ken Borek Air, Basler DC-3 arrived on April 10 to potentially take expeditioners to the North Pole decided that they need to carry too much fuel. The DC-3 could only carry 1,100 kgs per flight to Barneo station, which made the transportation of North Pole participants unrealistic.
Expedition leaders and North Pole hopefuls at Friday’s meeting voiced a range of frustration and concerns of this ‘fiasco’ after weeks of unreliable updates. Bengt Egil Rotmo “It is actually very difficult when you have five clients that you have to give you professional advice and to inform them in a professional manner is hard when you have so many ups and downs.”
At 11 am on Friday, a specific flight schedule was presented to all guides and teams. The season cancellation announcement came shortly after 12:30 pm adding insult to injury after numerous supposedly promising updates. The North Pole marathon was also canceled depriving Barneo ice camp of 64 additional participants.
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Polar Explorer Eric Larson continued, “to have this season get canceled creates a situation where essentially everyone loses. The participants lose who were looking forward to this incredible experience. The outfitters and guides lose because it’s our business. The logistics companies lose because they have already pumped money and resources into setting up the base.”
Barneo has been experiencing increasingly hectic seasons in recent years due to political and climate issues. This year’s ‘opening’ on April 1, proved to be a joke after several delays due to issues completing the ice runway after it collapsed into political turmoil due to Russian officials banning Ukrainian pilots and crew from flying expedition participants to the camp. “But overall, my clients have been extremely supportive. I hope to fulfill their dreams because I know that if I can help get them to the North Pole, it will be something they will think about the rest of their lives,” Bengt added.
“I hope the sea ice will allow us to return next year because I have seen a significant change in multi-year ice thickness over the last 20 years of North Pole expeditions,” stated Doug Stoup.
Polar Camp officials state that operations will commence next year with plans to give priority to those who had booked expeditions this year. Stoup continued, “Barring any political, environmental or economic reasons, I hope to return to the North Pole next season.”
