Arctic Expeditions
2025 & 2026

FROM SVALBARD TO GREENLAND: A JOURNEY OF PURPOSE

Two transformative polar expeditions: A 10-day Arctic training mission in Svalbard (March 2025), building essential expertise for an ambitious 540-kilometer traverse of the Greenland ice sheet (May 2026). From 80°N to one of Earth's great crossings, this is a journey of preparation, purpose, and possibility

The Journey North: From Svalbard to Greenland

Two pivotal Arctic journeys: A 10-day Svalbard expedition in March 2025 laying the groundwork for an epic 30-day Greenland crossing in May 2026. From intensive training at 80°N to a 540-kilometer traverse across one of Earth's great ice sheets.

From the pristine wilderness of Spitsbergen to the vast expanse of Greenland's ice sheet, these two Arctic expeditions represent a carefully planned journey into polar exploration's greatest challenges. Each step is purposeful - building from essential cold-weather training in Svalbard to one of exploration's ultimate achievements: crossing Greenland's ice sheet. This isn't just about reaching destinations; it's about pushing boundaries, testing limits, and showing what's possible when preparation meets purpose.

These expeditions embody the core principles that define my coaching practice - where mindset mastery meets meaningful achievement, where careful preparation enables extraordinary outcomes, and where pushing personal boundaries creates lasting transformation. From the intense focus of polar training in Svalbard to the epic challenge of crossing Greenland, each step of this Arctic journey mirrors the path I guide my clients through: discovering inner strength, building resilience, and achieving what once seemed impossible.

Just as I help people from all walks of life navigate their own challenging terrains - whether that's starting a business, transforming their health, rebuilding their life, or pursuing a long-held dream - these expeditions demonstrate the power of combining preparation with purpose, technical skill with mental strength, and personal challenge with profound growth. The lessons learned at -35°C, hauling sleds across glaciers and navigating through whiteouts, translate directly to any significant life challenge or ambitious personal goal.

Working with established Arctic operators and drawing on the legacy of polar pioneers, these journeys will generate experiences and insights that transcend the ice. By documenting this journey from training to triumph, from first steps to final crossing, I'm creating a living example of what's possible when we dare to dream bigger.

These experiences will enrich my ability to guide others in their own transformative journeys, whether they're seeking adventure, personal growth, or positive life change. This isn't just about polar exploration; it's about showing that with the right mindset, preparation, and support, we can all push beyond our perceived limits and create extraordinary stories of our own.

Some Insights Into My Arctic Journey

My White Whale

A white whale is that thundering, untameable dream that claws its way through your chest - a relentless, primal force that demands your entire being, transforms your core, and becomes the razor-sharp edge between the comfortable narrative you've been handed and the explosive potential burning just beneath your skin, waiting to be unleashed.

A white whale isn't just a goal. It's the raw, pulsing nerve of your deepest obsession - that relentless ache that live somewhere between your ribs and your spine. It's the thing that haunts you in the quiet moments, the dream that wakes you with its hunger, its absolute demand to be pursued.

Borrowed from Melville, but living inside your own messed-up, beautiful psychology, this isn't about achievement. This is about survival. This is about proving to yourself that you're more than the comfortable narrative you've been sold. A white whale is the primal scream of your potential - the challenge that looks impossible and makes something inside you rise up and say: watch me.

It's not a choice. It's a calling that possesses you, that burns through comfort like wildfire. Some people never hear this voice. They live careful lives mapped by other people's expectations. But you - you feel it. That restless electricity that says there's something more waiting, something that can only be discovered by pushing past every boundary you've ever known.

Your white whale doesn't care about your fears. It doesn't negotiate. It demands everything - every ounce of courage, every moment of discipline, every fragment of raw human potential you've been hiding from yourself. This is about the journey inside yourself, where the real wilderness lives.

Gerry van der Walt - Arctic Expedition - Mindset & Performance Coach

Svalbard 2025: Building Arctic Expertise

A crucial 10-day Arctic training expedition at 80°N - March 2025
Gerry van der Walt - Arctic Expedition - Mindset & Performance Coach

Svalbard Expedition - March 2025

Every great achievement begins with preparation. At the edge of the inhabitable world, Svalbard's pristine wilderness serves as the perfect testing ground for what lies ahead. This isn't just training - it's a transformation
The Mission

Through nine intensive days on the ice, this expedition combines technical mastery with deep personal growth. Working alongside professional guides from Icetrek, we'll push through temperatures as low as -35°C, learning not just to survive, but to thrive in one of Earth's most demanding environments.

Key Elements
  • Mastering polar camping and survival techniques
  • Advanced navigation in whiteout conditions
  • Glacier travel and crevasse rescue
  • Equipment testing in extreme conditions
  • Sled hauling optimization
  • Team dynamics and leadership in hostile environments
Beyond Technical Skills

Each day on Svalbard's ice teaches lessons that transcend the Arctic:

  • The power of systematic preparation
  • Mental resilience in extreme conditions
  • The balance between ambition and safety
  • Leadership under pressure
  • The profound clarity that comes from purposeful challenge

Greenland 2026: The Ultimate Challenge

A 30-day, 540-kilometer journey across Earth's second-largest ice sheet - May 2026
Gerry van der Walt - Arctic Expedition - Mindset & Performance Coach

Greenland Crossing - May 2026

Following in the footsteps of legendary explorer Fridtjof Nansen, this crossing represents one of polar exploration's greatest achievements. But this journey goes deeper than distance - it's about choosing to live fully, facing both external challenges and internal demons.

Following in the footsteps of legendary explorer Fridtjof Nansen, this crossing represents one of polar exploration's greatest achievements. But this journey goes deeper than distance - it's about choosing to live fully, facing both external challenges and internal demons.

The Raw Truth

This expedition isn't an escape - it's an embrace of life's most profound challenges. Like many drawn to extreme environments, I've battled internal struggles that make even ordinary days feel overwhelming. The ice offers clarity, purpose, and a path to transformation that extends far beyond the physical journey.

Technical Overview
  • Duration: 30 days (May 5 - June 5, 2026)
  • Distance: 540 kilometers
  • Environment: Temperatures ranging from -40°C to -5°C
  • Technical challenges: Crevasse fields, whiteout navigation, extreme weather
  • Physical demands: Hauling 80kg sleds, 8-10 hours daily movement
Support This Journey

This expedition requires USD 17,500 in total funding:

  • Initial commitment: USD 3,000 (Immediate need)
  • Full expedition cost: USD 14,500 (Due September 2025)

Your support creates multiple waves of impact:

  1. Enables a transformative journey that will inspire others
  2. Supports charitable initiatives in humanitarian welfare and education
  3. Generates content and experiences that will help others push their boundaries
  4. Demonstrates what's possible when we dare to dream big
Partnership Opportunities

For organizations and brands aligned with:

  • Innovation in extreme environments
  • Mental health and personal development
  • Leadership and team performance
  • Environmental consciousness
  • Adventure and exploration
Beyond The Ice

These expeditions directly inform my work in:

  • Performance coaching for executives and athletes
  • Curated adventure experiences
  • Corporate leadership development
  • Mental health advocacy
  • Expedition planning and guidance

Image Gallery

Experience the raw beauty and challenge of Arctic exploration through images captured on expedition. From the dramatic landscapes of Svalbard to preparations for Greenland's vast ice sheet, these photographs showcase both the harsh realities and stunning majesty of polar life. Step into a world where temperatures plunge to -30°C, where glacier crossings and polar camping become daily life, and where human determination meets nature's ultimate test.

Arctic Partnership Opportunities 2025/26

Join a remarkable two-year Arctic journey through strategic partnerships and sponsorships. From expedition gear to content creation, discover meaningful ways to be part of both the Svalbard training expedition and the full Greenland crossing - two transformative journeys that showcase human potential and inspire extraordinary achievement.

From Svalbard's pristine wilderness to Greenland's legendary ice sheet, these expeditions represent more than just Arctic journeys - they're platforms for innovation, storytelling, and meaningful impact. With a combined social reach well over 250,000 engaged followers and established relationships with premium brands like Helly Hansen and Olympus, I offer unique opportunities for partners who want to be part of a narrative that goes beyond traditional adventure storytelling.

These expeditions intersect with three powerful themes: pushing human potential, mental resilience, and transformative experiences. For brands looking to authentically connect with audiences who value personal growth, adventure, and meaningful achievement, this two-year Arctic journey offers exceptional partnership possibilities.

Partnership Pathways

Innovation & Equipment

  • Real-world testing in extreme Arctic conditions
  • Product development insights from intense usage
  • Technical consulting for polar-specific equipment
  • Authentic gear performance narratives

Content & Storytelling

  • Professional expedition documentation
  • Behind-the-scenes preparation insights
  • Live updates from the field where possible
  • Custom content creation
  • Speaking engagements and workshops

Mental Performance & Wellbeing

  • Mental resilience insights from extreme environments
  • Corporate wellness program integration
  • Mental health awareness initiatives
  • Authentic conversations about men's mental health

Whether your brand is interested in focused technical collaboration or comprehensive integration across both expeditions, the key to meaningful partnership lies in shared values and vision. I'm seeking partners who genuinely believe in pushing boundaries, fostering mental resilience, and creating authentic impact. From gear testing in extreme conditions to documenting the mental and physical journey, these expeditions offer multiple touchpoints for innovation - but only with brands whose ethos aligns with this mission of genuine transformation and growth.

Let's discuss how we can create meaningful impact together.

Beyond The Ice

Your brand's partnership extends far beyond the Arctic expeditions, connecting with multiple platforms and audiences through my broader work:

Performance & Corporate Integration: Through executive coaching and corporate speaking engagements, your brand becomes part of a larger narrative about peak performance and resilience. These platforms offer unique opportunities to showcase how your products or services support excellence across different environments - from boardrooms to extreme conditions.

Luxury Adventure & Experience: As I guide select clients through curated adventures and transformative experiences, partnership stories naturally weave into these high-end contexts. Your brand connects with an exclusive audience who value both premium quality and authentic achievement.

Mindset & Development: Through ongoing mindset coaching and mentoring programs, your brand becomes associated with personal growth and breakthrough moments. This creates deeper, more meaningful engagement than traditional adventure sponsorships alone can offer.

Speaking & Knowledge Transfer: Beyond expedition storytelling, your brand becomes integrated into high-impact presentations and workshops that translate Arctic experiences into practical insights. Through corporate events, industry conferences, and exclusive client sessions, I share how extreme expedition lessons apply to business, leadership, and personal growth.

This multi-faceted approach means your investment works across multiple channels, reaching diverse but aligned audiences who value quality, innovation, and authentic achievement.

Get Involved

If you're a brand, organization, or media outlet interested in collaboration opportunities across both the Svalbard and Greenland expeditions, let's discuss how we might work together.

These Arctic journeys amplify value across multiple platforms, creating deeper impact for partners through:

Performance & Leadership

  • Executive coaching programs
  • Corporate resilience training
  • High-performance mindset development
  • Private mentoring initiatives

Premium Experiences

  • Exclusive adventure guiding
  • Curated transformative journeys
  • Luxury expedition experiences
  • Bespoke travel design

Knowledge & Inspiration

  • Corporate keynotes and workshops
  • Expedition presentations
  • Leadership development programs
  • Mental resilience training

By integrating expedition insights into these diverse platforms, your brand reaches beyond traditional adventure sponsorship to connect with decision-makers, industry leaders, and premium clients who value authentic achievement and meaningful growth.