Bigwall expedition to Baffin on sailboat: looking for crew

I know my mountain project profile is like too recent to really validate my existence...i lost my password and recreated an account BUT anyways please continue reading...

Last year a couple friends and I were talking about how epic it would be to do a trip to the arctic and climb big walls in Baffin. Then we realized how attainable it is. Then we started planning. And now we’re here. (we being 2 friends and I....you can see my instagram at @kaytiehehehe if youre looking for a face...)On a trip like no other we are multidimensional crew to pull off the trip. We are looking for people who have extensive climbing experience or sailing experience while we embark on a big wall expedition in the arctic. The trip is being planned for 2032 and we are looking to recruit a dedicated crew NOW to plot the mission.
The idea is that the crew will collab with each other planning/getting funding/setting goals/expectations TOGETHER starting now -- and being prepared for a huge undertaking in 2032. Yes, it's a far ways out -- but this is the beginning of something so epic.If you are interested and have sailing experience in the arctic or in any extreme environments/conditions and/or if you have extensive glacier/bigwall/climbing experience please consider filling out our application. If you are interested in contributing in any way you think may be helpful even if it's not ON the trip (knowledge, skills, sponsorship) please let me know.
The link for the infodoc/application is hereWould love more people who identify as women on board. LGBTQ friendly & encouraged. Tell your friends!! Looking for a freaky crew -- this is not reel rock -- it's better. We are here to have fun. Here is the info/application

https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/11XtSgwC6Zs7RwDn9xGGHDLMwZueA6HyyLX6ewp_Hkx4/mobilebasic?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3-3vYulz9kNqkXDmoGSuAgHU22xic4C62BSrKM_bqZwXgBQac-zGNkkWk_aem_0Te1j88wOVdTtxFcdXCU0Q

This is cool but I think recruiting 2ish years out would be more pragmatic? People’s life situation can change drastically in 8 years and could result in a constant rotation of people committing then bailing. Just food for thought.

I’d apply but I have no clue what my commitment levels and responsibilities outside of climbing would be in 8 years. This is is something I’d totally be down for if it makes sense for me like a year out from the trip.

Kevin DeWeese wrote:

We can start planning for 2 years from now, right now Ross. 

After Denali I’m feeling fairly anti-cold at the moment. If you proposed Cochamo for this year on the other hand…….

I will be 70 in 2032 but I'm interested.  It sounds like fun. 

I tried to go last year and started working on the logistics 2 years ago but my much younger partner bailed ☹️

8 years from now? Not realistic.

climber pat wrote:

I tried to go last year and started working on the logistics 2 years ago but my much younger partner bailed ☹️

Bailing can be quite a handy skill aboard a yacht - especially if the bilge pumps fail.

ahoy ye maties —yeah I know it’s a long ways out but it does seem to be working well for some people, alas I understand it would be easier for more people to hop on board w/ a more approachable date — that being said umm unfortunately thats not whats going on tysm for the concern tho & if ur actually interested in potentially filling in for someone if we have someone bail, feel free to submit an app and we can keep u on a backup list?? 

If you keep climbing until 2030 you'll probably just have enough close personal climbing partners to fill out a crew

I had a plan ready to go involving the Bugaboos and then Baffin and then Covid came and ruined everything and now it's been hard to get the internal fortitude up to start that whole process again

Do it! YOLO.

10/10

OP and literal crew, I wish you the best. Gotez are notoriously aquaphobic, so I regretfully cannot attend, but my heart will go on.

I'm assuming that your destination is the East Coast Fjords region in the general vicinity of Clyde River, as this appears to be the obvious choice for accessing the climbing by boat. I realise that there may be other suitable areas that I don't know about. By what date - very roughly, obviously - would you expect the sea ice to break up and move out sufficiently to allow a boat to get in? My impression in recent years has been late June to early July - although if that's the point at which skidoo access becomes no longer possible it might be another couple of weeks before the 'debris' has cleared enough for a boat. I'm just wondering whether this could leave you quite short of actual climbing time - particularly if you need to allow a chunk of August for the return voyage in order to be back in Maine for your end date of September 1.

It's entirely possible that I've misunderstood something.

That's why it has to be 8 years out. All the ice will be gone from climate change by then. The true crux may be convincing the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Corporation to allow disembarkation of your party for major sendage.

jt newgard wrote:

That's why it has to be 8 years out. All the ice will be gone from climate change by then. The true crux may be convincing the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Corporation to allow disembarkation of your party for major sendage.

The contrary could be true. See:

https://phys.org/news/2024-07-ice-smooth-fabled-arctic.html

Melting sea ice in the fast-warming Arctic Ocean is not making it easier for sailors to navigate a legendary shortcut between Europe and Asia despite popular belief, scientists said Thursday.

To the contrary, climate change was causing thicker, more hazardous ice to choke the fabled "northwest passage" long-sought by navigators seeking a faster route from the Pacific to the Atlantic Oceans….,

….This was the result of an increase in older, thicker ice from the melting polar cap drifting southward into the passage, where it reinforced choke points and impeded navigation.

This ice posed a greater risk to ships than the younger, thinner ice more common in the Canadian archipelago, said the study published in the journal Communications Earth and Environment…..

Interesting, thanks Terry, that is some legitimately informative beta responding to my sh!tpost. However, seeing as it contradicts my preconceived notions, I am choosing to ignore it and proclaim fake news. These scientists need to get their story straight. First they tell us the precious ice is melting, now they proclaim it is proliferating and attacking the innocent cruise liners. The shareholders will not stand for this blatant act of aggression.

lol anyway ... excuse my asides, sailing up to Baffin sounds incredible. I got really obsessed with Arctic exploration last year. Long history of ships getting crushed way up there, think Ellesmere Island. Look up the Greely Expedition. One parting fun fact: it turns out that Robert Peary, long credited with heading the first expedition to reach the North Pole, was found to be full of crap by National Geographic in the 1980s. In retrospect, it turns out Amundsen himself was the true first explorer to reach the North Pole, he flew there in a hydrogen airship for funsies 20 years after Peary's claim.

Seems super sketch and someone needs a lot of attention. Hard pass. 

Bryan H wrote:

Seems super sketch and someone needs a lot of attention. Hard pass. 

Oh no! Their crew just lost their 5.7 rope gun :(

Ignatius Pi wrote:

I'm assuming that your destination is the East Coast Fjords region in the general vicinity of Clyde River, as this appears to be the obvious choice for accessing the climbing by boat. I realise that there may be other suitable areas that I don't know about. By what date - very roughly, obviously - would you expect the sea ice to break up and move out sufficiently to allow a boat to get in? My impression in recent years has been late June to early July - although if that's the point at which skidoo access becomes no longer possible it might be another couple of weeks before the 'debris' has cleared enough for a boat. I'm just wondering whether this could leave you quite short of actual climbing time - particularly if you need to allow a chunk of August for the return voyage in order to be back in Maine for your end date of September 1.

It's entirely possible that I've misunderstood something.

Yeah this is super valid. I'm actively thinking about this. The crew is mega psyched, so I know we'll figure it out even if it's a sufferfest. I think it's gonna be quite the trek in. Alas the mission goes on. If you have any other ideas/feedback, or know someone who might have any other good insight, please don't hesitate to get in contact with me! Taking in all suggestions always

Katie McKinnon wrote:

Yeah this is super valid. I'm actively thinking about this. The crew is mega psyched, so I know we'll figure it out even if it's a sufferfest. I think it's gonna be quite the trek in. Alas the mission goes on. If you have any other ideas/feedback, or know someone who might have any other good insight, please don't hesitate to get in contact with me! Taking in all suggestions always

Hi Katie. This post suggests that you never received my email of just over a week ago, sent in response to your direct messages. It seems likely, too, that you didn't receive my more recent DM in response to this post. Technology appears to be against us! Can you confirm? I'm happy to resend if necessary. IP.

For smaller Nunavut cliffs via sailboat see:

 AAJ 2023

Gunkswest wrote:

For smaller Nunavut cliffs via sailboat see:

 AAJ 2023

this is sick!!!