To nurture the love of the Arctic these individuals experience, all those who have travelled with us are automatically enrolled as members of the 'Polar Guild', and receive the Polar Guild News, a newsletter covering the activities of the members and of Weber Malakhov Expedition, which is published twice per year.

2000 NORTH POLE DASH I & DASH II

Join Polar explorers, Dr. Mikhail "Misha" Malakhov and Richard Weber on a trek to the North Pole. This expedition combines a "journey through Russia" with seven or fourteen challenging days of skiing to the North Pole.

History

The concept of North Pole Dash (formally North Pole Light) was never a dream but the culmination of years of Arctic travel. With the completion of the 1995 Weber Malakhov Expedition, Richard and Misha have established themselves as the most experienced Arctic Ocean travellers in history. They are the first to complete a round trip to the North Pole with no outside help, no dogs, aircraft, or re-supplies. And they are the only people to have travelled across the Arctic Ocean to the Pole four times.

When Richard guided the 1989 Global Concern Expedition, other members of the group had no Arctic experience, yet everyone had a magnificent experience. It was during this trip that Richard realized it was possible for people with little or no previous experience to enjoy Arctic Ocean travel - thus was born North Pole Dash.

The inaugural North Pole Dash Expedition in April 1993 was the world's first "commercial" North Pole expedition. Since then, Misha Malakhov and Richard Weber have led 5 successful trips. In 1997, five companies organized six "North Pole Dash" style trips. The Weber Malakhov group was the only group to successfully reach the Pole. Our people were not the youngest, fittest or the most experienced. However, they were the best prepared, equipped and lead by the most experienced people. Richard and Misha are team players. In 1995, team work permitted them to accomplish the "impossible", and team work gets their groups to the Pole.

Past clients have come from 8 different nations: Japan, United Kingdom, Norway, Canada, United States, Russia, Mexico and the Czech Republic. Ages have varied from 21 to 77 years. Experience of past participants has also varied greatly, from Robert Swan who is the first person to walk to both geographic poles, to two gentlemen who had never cross country skied and another whose first experience sleeping in a tent took place 100 km from the North Pole! By varying the amount each person carries, it is possible to adapt the trip, comfortably and successfully to the physical ability of each participant. Following each expedition, all participants conclude unanimously that they had accomplished "one of their most memorable life experiences".

The Challenge - North Pole Dash I

All North Pole Dash (formerly North Pole Light) participants meet in Moscow, where a bus will take us 200 kilometres to Misha Malakhov's home city of Ryazan. Each expedition participant stays with a Russian family in a private home or apartment. The next morning there is an opportunity to see Ryazan, one of the oldest cities in Russia. In Ryazan, we distribute clothing and equipment. There is time to prepare and familiarize all participants with the equipment and travel methods. A comfortable flight on a regularly scheduled jet take us to Norilsk, in Siberia. Norilsk was one of Stalin's original Gulags. Then we fly on to Khatanga in Siberia. Khatanga is a centre for the local aboriginal population. We have a small training session to try the skis and put up the custom Weber Malakhov tents.

We then board an AN-74, a new "STOL" jet specially designed for work in the Arctic. The AN-74 takes us to the Russian ice station, code name "Borneo", at 89 degrees north, about 100 kilometres (70 miles) from the North Pole. We proceed on skis for the next 7 days and nights to the North Pole. Ice conditions and drift patterns on the approach to the Pole from the Russian side make for a much more enjoyable and certain adventure. When we reach the North Pole, pin-pointed within 100 meters, we remain there for several hours taking pictures and waiting for a Russian helicopter to take us back to Borneo ice station. We return to civilization the way we left through Khatanga, Norilsk to Moscow.

During the expedition, participants will ski about 5 hours per day with rest (lunch) breaks, about 10 -15 kilometres per day. Each participant will transport approximately 20-30 kilograms. Loads will be distributed according to experience and ability and can be comfortably split between a backpack and a small sled. We will use the same style of tent as the 1995 Weber Malakhov Expedition which holds 6 people.

The terrain on the ocean will be the drifting ice of the central Arctic Ocean. Normal obstacles, located between the flat open areas include pressure ridges up to 15 meters high, areas of broken ice and cracks (leads) of open water (a few centimetres to hundreds of meters wide). If we are lucky we might glimpse a seal or two swimming in the open water.

The Challenge - North Pole Dash II

North Pole Dash II is a more adventurous version of North Pole Dash I. Participants follow the same general program as Dash I, except they ski for 14 days before reaching the North Pole. They start about 88 degrees latitude.

Navigation & Communications

Navigation will be effected with GPS (Global Positioning Satellites), sun and compass. Our position at the Pole will be determined within 100 meters. The expedition will have a portable HF radio, emergency satellite beacon and a satellite telephone. Misha, a doctor with 15 years of polar medical experience will prepare an extensive first aid kit. In an emergency, evacuation can be done from any location and in almost any weather condition. The helicopter on the ice station with the waiting jet, is always less than one hour away.

Inclusions

The cost of the North Pole Dash I Expedition from Moscow to Moscow is $10,000.00 US, and of the North Pole Dash II Expedition is $12,000 US. The prices include all equipment, accommodation, food and transportation between Moscow, the North Pole and back to Moscow.

The cost of the expedition includes all transportation between Moscow, the North Pole and back to Moscow; aircraft travel, training, hotels, food, group and personal equipment. Participants keep personal clothing following the completion of the expedition.

North Pole Dash 1

Dates 2000: April 16 - May 1
Start: Moscow, Russia
Land Cost: $10,000 USD

North Pole Dash 2

Dates 2000: April 9 - May 1
Start: Moscow, Russia
Land Cost: $12,000 USD

For the summer of 2000, we have a new and exciting project. We have purchased Arctic Watch Wilderness Camp at Cunningham Inlet on Somerset Island. This camp has most amenities including electricity, showers, and toilets. It comfortably sleeps forty people.

It was built for whale watching. Cunningham Inlet is internationally renowned for the 5,000 beluga whales that visit from July 10 to August 10, each summer. We intend to keep the core business whale watching but also include other activities such as sea kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, birding and visiting the many historical sites in the area.

We visited the camp for a week in August. We saw muskox, Peary caribou and a great variety of birds. We found the remains of many ancient Inuit campsites. Arctic Watch has good access to Prince Leopold Island bird sanctuary, the Franklin Expedition graves, Fury Bay (whale graveyard), and the old Hudson's Bay trading post at Port Leopold. World-class arctic char fishing is a short flight away.

The Cunningham River flows swiftly with small rapids for many miles through Grand Canyon-style landscape. It will be great rafting.

Arctic Watch Wilderness Camp

Dates 2000: July 8 - 15, July 15 - 22, July 22 - 29, July 29 - August 5, August 5 - 12
Start: Resolute Bay
Land Cost: $2800 - $3900 CAD (depending on which week you choose)

Bylot Island Traverse 2001

Bylot Island is a wildlife sanctuary located just north of Baffin Island. Our 250 kilometre ( 150 mile) journey starts in Pond Inlet, the most northern community on Baffin Island. We ski east, pulling our gear in small sleds. The first stop is the two graves of whalers at Albert Harbour. From there we cross to Bylot Island at Button Point, an important Thule (pre-modern Inuit) site. We hug the coast for a few kilometres before turning inland up a large un-named glacier. For the next 12 days we make our way though the mountains, reaching altitudes of about 6000ft. We ski down another un-named glacier on the south west corner of Bylot Island. Here we are met by an Inuit dog team that will take us back to Pond Inlet. This is a ski expedition not a technical climbing trip. We rope for glacier travel. The trip is made in 24-hour sunlight and the temperature is range from +2°C to -15C°.

Bylot Island Traverse

Dates 2000: Two weeks in May 2001
Start: Pond Inlet or Ottawa
Land Cost: $2900.00 CAN from Pond Inlet or $4500.00 from Ottawa

Ellesmere Island Traverse 2001 (Bay Fiord - Sverdrup Pass - Alexandria Fiord - Pim Island)

This 200-kilometer ski expedition starts in Resolute Bay. A First Air Twin Otter aircraft takes us to Bay Fiord on western Ellesmere Island. We ski east through Sverdrup Pass to Flager Bay. Sverdrup Pass is an ancient Inuit migration route, being one of the few non-glaciated routes across Ellesmere. Sverdrup Pass is surrounded by 5000-foot peaks and hanging glaciers. Our route takes us to Peary Bay where explorer Robert Peary wintered in 1898-99. We cross Knud Peninsula and Buchannen Bay to Skraeling Island. Sverdrup described Skraeling Island as Eskimopolis because of all the Thule remains. We visit the old RCMP post at Alexandria Fiord. Then we ski along the coast to Pim Island. Cape Sabine on Pim Island was the death camp for 17 of American explorer Adolphus Greely's men who starved to death during the winter of 1883-84. Pim Island is on the edge of a huge polynya called "North Water" (a polynya is an area of open water the does not freeze in winter), which has a concentration of wildlife: whales, bears and walrus.

Ellesmere Island Traverse 2001

Dates 2000: Two weeks in May 2001
Start: Resolute Bay or Ottawa
Land Cost: $6,000.00 CAN from Resolute Bay or $7400.00 CAN from Ottawa

The Arctic is a great environment in which to build a team. If your company or group needs teamwork, let us design a special trip for you. Nothing melds a groups of individuals into a team like an Arctic expedition.

If you have a group with an idea or goal. Bring it to us. We can outfit and/or guide the trip. We can take you to the top of the world!

Richard Weber
Richard, a mechanical engineer, and former Canadian cross-country ski champion, has participated/led more than 30 Arctic expeditions. In 1986 he was a member of the Steger International Polar Expedition, the first confirmed expedition to reach the North Pole without re-supplies. Along with Misha Malakhov, he is the only person in the world to have skied to the North Pole four times. As Canadian leader of the 1988 Soviet-Canadian Polar Bridge ski expedition, he crossed 1800 kilometres of Arctic Ocean, from Northern Siberia to Ellesmere Island National Park Reserve in Canada, via the North Pole. In 1995, he and Misha Malakhov completed the first journey to the North Pole and back without being re-supplied by aircraft or aided by support teams on the ice. He has been decorated by the Soviet, Russian and Canadian governments for his polar achievements. Richard's passion is the Arctic. He lectures on his polar journeys and leads others to experience the Arctic. He lives in Chelsea, Quebec with Josée Auclair and their children, Tessum and Nansen.

Dr Mikhail (Misha) Malakhov
Misha, Richard's "Polar brother" and partner on the 1992 and 1995 North Pole expeditions is a thoracic surgeon and medical professor. He is a recently converted entrepreneur in the new Russia. His company, Centre Pole, a consulting group specializes in logistics and tourism for Westerners and Western business in Russia. He co-guides all North Pole Light Expeditions with Richard.

Josée Auclair
Former Canadian cross country ski team member and Quebec kayak champion, Josée has participated in numerous Baffin Island expeditions where she spent the last two summers. She has also travelled on Ellesmere Island. As well, she has helped prepare and outfit three major North Pole expeditions and all Weber Malakhov trips and expeditions.

Jean Huard
Physical educator and helicopter pilot, Jean has guided throughout the Canadian and Greenland Arctic for the past 12 years, specializing in white water canoeing, hiking, and ocean kayaking. He lives in Hull, Quebec where he works as a Special Education teacher for kids with learning disabilities.

Your Wilderness Experience Includes:
Guide(s), Group equipment; tents, kitchen, repair kits, first aid, kayaks, communications food (great tasting and carefully prepared),charter transportation: planes, boats, freight and baggage charges for group equipment and food, hotels (when indicated)

Equipment & Food
We use only the best equipment in the world. Since different trips, require different equipment, an equipment list, both what is provided, as well as a recommended list of personally gear is sent with pre-trip literature. All meals are tasty, nutritious, hearty and fit the environment. Please notify us for special diets, we will be happy to accommodate you.

Skill Levels
The skill level is a combination of technical experience, physical strength/conditioning and the remoteness of the trip. For most trips the skill level is important, but nothing can substitute enthusiasm and perseverance. In all trips, the guide are there to offer assistance and coaching.

How can I reach the Arctic?

Canadian Arctic Holidays trips start from either Iqaluit or Resolute Bay. First Air offers daily jet service between Ottawa (Montreal) and Iqaluit. First Air service to Resolute Bay is twice per week from Ottawa and once per week from Edmonton (via Yellowknife with NWT Air). Canadian Airlines also offers twice-weekly service to Resolute Bay from Edmonton.

You have three ways to obtain your ticket:

1. We can book your ticket. As northern outfitters, we can obtain for you the best possible rate (except for seat sales).

2. Use Aeroplan points. Iqaluit is a short-haul flight from Ottawa, 15,000 points. WARNING - book early!

3. For possible seat sales, book it yourself or through your travel agent.
P.S. Cancellation insurance can be purchased through Ottawa Outing Travel.

Bring A Friend Program
To encourage you to bring your family and friends with you on your trip to the Arctic, we have created a "Bring A Friend" program. If you bring a companion with you on your trip, or send that person on a different trip, then you are entitled to a 10% reduction on the cost of your next trip.

Cancellation Insurance
Everyone has such busy schedules these days and unpredictable and unavoidable things happen. A couple of people have had to cancel a trip at the last possible moment. So you will be glad to know that we now offer trip cancellation insurance through Ottawa Outing Travel.

Liability Insurance
Weber Malakhov Expedition trips are operated at the highest standards and we have never had any serious accident. However, we do carry liability insurance. There is an element of risk in any adventure and Weber Malakhov Expedition can not assume liability or any loss or damage to person or property in travelling to the location of the trip or during or after participation in the trip. Weber Malakhov endeavors to have the best available equipment and to take proper safety precautions. Prior to participating in any trip, you will be required to sign a standard liability release.

Equipment
We pride ourselves in organizing and operating high quality trips. The Canadian Arctic is remote and environmental conditions are not always ideal. Thus, we use only the best equipment in the world. Most outdoor gear is designed by mountaineers for mountains, not for arctic conditions. If the equipment that we need is not commercially available or we can not find a manufacturer to make it for us, then we will make it ourselves. We have been working with certain top manufacturers for many years. Over time, we have developed a sense of loyalty to these high quality products and the people behind them.