Whilst most of Greenland is locked in snow and ice all year round, there are areas that have a brief and stunning tundra summer, largely on the Western coastline. It is here that the Arctic Circle Trail (ACT) weaves a 165km path westwards from the inland town of Kangerlussuaq to the coastal town of Sisimiut. The terrain is open, remote and without habitation, like nothing encountered in the UK – the sheer size and openness of the area with its big blue sky is stunning.
The ACT involves 9 days of unsupported trekking requiring individuals to carry all they require in terms of equipment, food, fuel and clothing. For a Reserve infantry unit such as 3 ROYAL WELSH, such an expedition ticks many boxes with respect to challenge and adventurous training. Pack sizes start at around 22kg requiring of individuals robustness and stamina as well as personal organisation in order to keep that pack weight to the minimum; anything that doesn’t have a function has to be left behind so good personal judgement was required when it came to making equipment decisions. Map reading using 1:100k maps is a new skill that has to be mastered as does interpretation of topography - there are no manmade objects to assist with navigation.
3 ROYAL WELSH undertook the traverse of the trail between the 9th and 24th of August 2016 with a team of 14, all Reservists from within the unit. After 3 days of travel and final preparation we set out from Kangerlussuaq clean, shaven and fresh looking. Over the course of the next 9 days we were blessed with sunshine and fine weather which in some ways made things easy but in others, more challenging; water management and personal hydration required continual attention and the individuals learnt much from these challenges. Food management was also a challenge as only just enough was taken because of weight issues. Everyone had been given clear guidance on nutrition and the balance to be struck between calorific value and weight then allowed free rein with their personal food purchases and in the event, all made a good job of this.
We settled into an easy and amiable rhythm on the trail and very soon a team routine was established that suited the objective of making ground whilst allowing regular rest, water intake, food intake and just the opportunity to take in the surroundings. We were also fortunate to see caribou, Arctic hare and Arctic fox up close as well as sample some of the local flora such as bilberries and crowberries. We had come equipped and prepared to fish and were lucky to catch many Arctic Char in rivers, sizable cod from the sea and collect green lipped mussels from coastal areas. The char were caught from rivers by various means; rod and line, mosquito head net and also by hand. All these fish were cooked on open fires in foil we had brought and eaten with relish. Though it was a bit too early in the season for the Northern Lights, they did put in a weak appearance to satisfy the curiosity of the group.
By the time we reached Sisimiut we were sun-browned, grubby, smelly, fitter/lighter and also trail hardened. Pack weights had reduced by around 8kg or more and given sufficient food, we could have kept going indefinitely. All had learnt much about teamwork, self-reliance, personal hydration and navigation during the 9 day traverse and as such, the expedition achieved its aims admirably. This was a very special opportunity for Reserve soldiers to undertake challenging training in a unique setting. The Ulysses Trust and its Trustees’ support was critical in making the whole thing possible and grateful thanks is given from all 14 members from 3 ROYAL WELSH who took part.
