«Go beyond limits and find your own.»

North Pole «Last Degree» Trip

Frequently asked questions

Dates: Next trips

April 4-18, 2023

Duration: How long is the trip?

From Zurich the journey takes about 15 days. Of this we are 7-9 days on the ice. Weather related delays are possible.

Why in April?

The North Pole Base of Borneo is only set up in April each year. On the one hand the polar night lasts until the end of March, on the other the ice is thickest at that time of the year so that a short runway can be built for small jets. In May the ice begins to melt and break up because the sun is in the sky for 24 hours a day. Trips to the North Pole at other times of the year are possible but are far more demanding than in April (and more expensive).

Are there also trips at other times of the year?

This is rather unlikely since the North Pole Base of Borneo is only set up in April each year. After that the ice begins to melt. That’s why trips to the North Pole at other times of the year are far more demanding (and more expensive).

High price: Why does this journey cost so much?

To get to the North Pole we use the temporary North Pole Base of Borneo, which is set up on the ice in April each year by our Russian partners so that special jets can land on the thick ice strip. The use of this infrastructure and the flights in the Arctic account for the high costs. In addition we offer detailed information about this expedition such as a briefing weekend up in the Swiss Alps. And last but not least costs also depend on the special equipment and on the size of the group. In return we can promise you a unique adventure!

Is the whole equipment included in the price?

No, not quite. Included are: the complete group material (e.g. tents, cooker, sledge, skis etc.) as well as the special equipment for North Pole expeditions (e.g. sleeping bag, boots, gloves etc.). Not included are: your personal equipment which most of you will already have (underwear, Gore-Tex clothing) or may borrow from a friend (insulation layer /down). If required you can of course rent or buy the complete equipment from us.

Rental of material: What are the additional costs if I borrow the complete personal material? ?

In this case you pay CHF 2500.- This includes: Gore-Tex clothing, down jacket, down vest, puffball pants, fleece jacket, sunglasses, skiglasses. The more personal items such as underwear (three layers), cups and plates, pee bottle etc. will be yours at the end of the expedition.

Can one just fly to the North Pole without going on the ski expedition?

Basically this is possible but probably without Thomas Ulrich accompanying you (since he is engaged as a guide). The best way is to contact us to discuss the options.

Can I add a few days in Spitsbergen either before the expedition starts or at the end?

This is possible but we have to be informed in due time to be able to book the flights. Besides, this may possibly cause additional costs since a single person can no longer fly at (reduced) group rates.

Group size: How large is the group for this expedition?

We undertake the expedition with a maximum of 12 participants and 2 guides, and a minimum of 8 participants.

Fitness: I am a sporty person but no specialist in extreme sports. What is the fitness level needed to take part in the «Adventure North Pole»?

You need not be a professional if you want to take part in our expedition to the North Pole. The oldest participant of the 2006 Tour led by Thomas Ulrich was 69, the youngest 15 years old. A good physical condition, however, is of course indispensable. Only those with a good condition and sufficient reserves will thoroughly enjoy the expedition. The physical activities during the daily hikes can be characterised as follows: a comparatively low-level intensity over a long period of time (as on a hike). What is most important is some perseverance. Since we stay at sea-level during the whole expedition and the terrain is never steep, the expedition is certainly less strenuous than a week on skis or a high-mountain-tour.

Preparation: What can I do to be prepared?

Our daily hikes are relatively long (7-10 hours) but not extremely strenuous, because the surface of the ice at the North Pole is flat and we move forward at sea-level. What is there-fore most important is perseverance at low-level intensity. A good condition helps to be able to enjoy the daily hikes.

As a good preparation we recommend long hikes, ski tours or a running work-out. Three normal training units a week during the months before the journey starts would be the best preparation. If required we will give you detailed advice or will put together a special training program for you.

What if, after the briefing-weekend, I realize that I had better not participate although I have already sent in my registration form?

For cancellations see our general terms and conditions. A cancellation is possible on the following terms:

It must be in writing and dispatched as certified mail. Up to 120 days before the journey starts the whole deposit will be refunded minus the cancellation charge of 800.- Swiss francs per person.

Later on the following charges apply:

119 - 61 days before the journey starts: 50% of the deposit

60 - 21 days before the journey starts: 50% of the price as agreed

20 - 0 days before the journey starts or in case a participant fails to report: 100% of the price as agreed.

If during the briefing weekend Thomas Ulrich realizes that a person won’t be able to cope with the expedition successfully, registration can be cancelled by mutual agreement. The deposit will then be refunded with the exception of a flat charge of Swiss francs 3300.- (for expenses incurred already).

Equipment

Clothing: What should I wear on this expedition?

We will send you a detailed packing-list and we will also advise you on matters of equipment.

Sleeping bag: I have a super down-filled sleeping bag. Will it do for the North Pole?

We put sleeping bags at your disposal. We carry along the warmest sleeping bags possible (to 40° below zero) of the Norwegian brand «Ajungilak» used on nearly every polar expedition. The synthetic fibre filling absorbs less moisture and is therefore better suited for this purpose than a down-filled sleeping bag.

What kind of boots do we need for the North Pole?

In fact we wear surprisingly plain models that have nothing to do with high-tech. Plain canvas boots with felt interior boots. These boots are much softer than - let’s say – hiking boots and therefore also more comfortable. They are manufactured by a Norwegian firm, which has developed them for this very purpose. With ordinary plastic bags we will make a vapour barrier to prevent condensation within the shoes.

How heavy will the sledge be each member of the group has to pull?

Every participant pulls his or her small sledge of 30-35 kilos. The guides pull a larger sledge weighing about 100 kilos.

Photography: FDo digital cameras work with these temperatures?

Small digital cameras work quite well at the North Pole as long as you can keep them warm on your body. We recommend a camera that can be used with normal AA batteries since we will have no opportunity to recharge them and do buy the expensive but powerful lithium batteries (e.g. energizer).

Moving in the ice

Temperature: How cold will it get at the North Pole?

Experience shows that in April we must be prepared for temperatures of 25-35 degrees Celsius below zero. But sometimes it can be as «warm as -10°.

Tent: How many people will be in one tent?

2-3 people (there is room for 4), but with 3 we will feel more comfortable.

How about only 2 instead of 3 people in a tent?

Why not, but we suggest groups of 3 because this is a good compromise between enough space and too much heat loss (with only 2 people in the tent). Depending on the size and make-up of the group 2 or 4 people can share a tent.

Can we heat the tents?

No. We travel light and without a kitchen tent used for expeditions in the Himalayas. We live in the tents and those who are no longer busy outside lie in their warm sleeping bags.

Food: What do we eat on the way?

We provide special expedition food, either freeze-dried ready-to-serve meals or high-calorie food specially prepared by Thomas Ulrich. Meals are cooked in each tent.

Is there special food for vegetarians?

Yes, that is no problem. If you tell us on the application form that you are a vegetarian, we can provide vegetarian expedition food for you. We don’t cook uniform meals. We boil water together, but the meals can be prepared individually.

Marching time: How long will we be on the way?

Between 7-10 hours every day but rather less the first few days in order to get used to moving with sledges. Towards the end of the expedition the hikes will be somewhat longer to make sure to reach our destination.

Are there situations where we will all have to swim?

No. In case of open gaps we usually try to find a way to avoid the water. If this isn’t possible we have swimsuits with us for one of the guides to swim across the open gap. With the two big polkas (sledges) of the guides we can then build a safe boat to pull the remaining people across by 'ferry service’. With less wide gaps we can use the big sledges as well as a «swimming bridge».

Do we use cross-country skis?

No. We have special skis by Fischer. They are something between cross-country and ski-touring skis. The skis have a scaled base which enables us to walk without skins. The bindings are similar to those used for telemark skiing.

How do we find our bearings?

With the help of GPS we can fix our exact location any time and also stick to our course when visibility is poor. During the day, however, it is also possible to navigate with the help of the sun.

Hygiene: How does it work if someone needs a pee at night at 35° degrees below zero?

Quite simply: dress, go outside, «pants down» and get the whole over with as quickly as possible! And here a useful tip: Look for an ice hill sheltered from the wind; also make sure that you can open the pants you buy without having to take off other clothes! «Small business» like that can also be done inside the tent. For that reason each of us has a peebottle.

How many kilometers is one degree of latitude?

1 degree of latitude = 111.12 kilometers

1 degree of latitude = 60 minutes

1 minute = 1.852 kilometers

Risks

What are the greatest dangers?

The cold, frostbites, open water leads, thin ice and polar bears (which are rarely seen near the Pole). For safety reasons, however, we carry a Magnum 44 gun with us.

Frostbites: When we look at pictures of expeditions to the North Pole some of the explorers are in pretty bad shape. Must I be prepared for frozen toes?

No, although it is clear that incidents “at the end of the world” have more serious consequences than at home. Minor frostbites or other injuries can therefore not be entirely excluded. With the right sort of equipment and some caution everybody should come through the «Adventure North Pole» without major injuries. That’s our most important objective!

Illness/accident: What happens if someone falls ill or has an accident during the expedition?

In an emergency a helicopter from Borneo Base – there is usually at least one there – can be alerted within a short time. Helicopters are less dependent on weather conditions than planes and can take off and land in nearly any conditions. Normally there should also be a doctor at Borneo Base, but we can’t guarantee that. The nearest hospital is at Longyearbyen and it generally takes at least 10 hours to get there. Clients must bear the costs for such an evacuation themselves. We therefore highly recommend a cancellation insurance for a case like that.

One of the dangers at the North Pole are the open water leads. What does it mean if someone falls into the water?

That has happened before. This may be unpleasant for the person concerned but is no serious problem since the whole group can help. Trapped air serves as insulation in clothing. That’s why if you fall into the water you don’t sink right away. It also takes some time until the cold water (which is warmer than the air) has found its way in. Nevertheless it is important not to waste time the moment someone falls into the water at -30°: pull the person out, let them roll in the snow (so that the water is absorbed by the snow), change clothes in the tent that has in the meantime been pitched and heated with a cooker by the other members of the group, crawl into the sleeping bag to get warm again. If necessary the clothes will be dried in the heated tent.

Will we see polar bears?

There is no real chance for us to come across polar bears at that degree of latitude since they normally live in coastal regions where they can also find their prey. But it is possible and has happened before that expeditions have come across polar bears. For this reason we carry firearms with us. Polar bears are not aggressive, but rather curious.

The next «Last Degree» Trips

April 4-18, 2023

Important Facts:

  • You are part of a small group taking part in a very exclusive expedition.
  • The total trip duration is 15 days
  • We will spend 7 out of 9 days on the ice, skiing an approximate distance of 120km.
  • You will be flown back from the North Pole in a Russian helicopter.
  • Target rate 2022 per person:
    Price for 6-8 pax: CHF 64'000.-
    Price for 5 pax: CHF 65'500.-
    Price for 4 pax: CHF 67'000.-
  • In cooperation with Kobler & Partner

Polar Guides Association

Back to Top