EXPEDITION ICE SKATING IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE

In northern Canadian climates and countries like Norway, Sweden and Alaska, wild skating opens up doors for even more exploration, especially during the off seasons. For Luc Mehl, it’s another way of moving through the mountains in the backcountry. 

Below is a short film featuring some stunning footage of Mehl and a friend as they skate between the remote Alaskan cities of Selawik and Kotsebue in November 2019. The 4-day mission takes them across 200km of ice. Like on any Winter overnight trip, the skaters packed shelter, food, and rescue equipment which they carried on their backs for the length of the trip. 

Check out this article in conjunction with Gaia GPS to read more about the niche culture of backcountry skating, as well as some of the pre-trip planning and mapping that was critical for the success of this Alaskan expedition.