University of St Andrews Greenland Expedition, 1978

Extract

The University of St Andrews Greenland Expedition spent late June, July and August 1978 at the head of Íkamiut kangerdluarssuat near Sukkertoppen, west Greenland. The expedition's aims were to climb previously unsealed or relatively unknown peaks, and carry out geomorphological and geological studies. Base camp was established at the still-frozen lake Taserssuaq on 28 June with the help of the crew of Daniel, a fishing boat chartered from Sukkertoppen. During the following weeks 13 first ascents and six second ascents were made in an area noted for its alpine peaks. The major achievement was a route on the 1 675 m north face of a peak on the south side of Taserssuaq; this climb took 40 hours. Other notable first ascents were Qáqarssuaralak (1 332 m), an 800 m high ice face on a peak flanking an icefield and, north of Taserssuaq, a 1600 m high peak was climbed by a steep ice route. A traverse, following several interlinking glaciers, was achieved from Taserssuaq to Evighedsfjord. Canoe journeys were made along Íkamiut kangerdluarssuat to the mountains and glaciers on its eastern and western shores, the deserted village of Ikamiut and the bird colonies of Sermilinguaq.