Greenland. 553km. 28 Days. Done.
In May 2026, I completed an unsupported crossing of the Greenland Ice Sheet. From Point 660 on the west coast to Isortoq on the east. 553km. 28 days on the ice. A sled that started at over 100kg. 9.6kg of body weight lost. Sub-zero temperatures, whiteout conditions, and long stretches of deep, heavy snow. One of fewer than 5 South Africans to have ever completed this. This page is the full story: the data, the updates from the field, and what the ice actually taught me.
This was an unsupported team crossing. Steven, Mardi, Gal, David, Kanch, Mika, Mike, Anna, Knut-Eric and I each signed up individually and completed our own journey. Nobody pulled anyone across. That's what unsupported means.
This crossing was real. The deadline was real. The financial commitment was real. I committed my share. Then the community showed up. People donated to help make this happen. That's not funding. That's belief.
In a world of polished content and curated lives, I did something different. Lived the lessons I teach. In real time. Uncomfortable, terrified, and committed anyway. At 50.
Every story, every failure, every moment of doubt overcome is now teaching material. Real. Lived. Not theoretical. That's what makes this more than a trip. It's the chapter that feeds everything else I build.
"Hard things done properly don't show you something new. They show you how much more of what's already there you haven't touched yet."
"Coming home felt like walking out of a silent room into a party nobody warned you about. The world just carried on. Something in me hadn't caught up yet."
Read the full reflection: The Other Side of Hard →
"I saw you speak years ago at a Samy's Camera event in LA when I was just getting started on my photography journey. I have followed you ever since. Every single thing you've written from a coaching perspective resonates with me. You have a gift. Godspeed."
— Craig Elson"Backing a buddy to do hard things, to ask of yourself questions most never dare to face, to go to the edge of resilience and grit not just to find answers, but to discover the very questions themselves."
— Stuart HancockMedia & Press
553km. 28 days. Physiological data that doesn't exist anywhere else from a crossing like this. If you're working on a story about extreme endurance, polar exploration, or what the human body actually does under sustained load. The assets are here. High-resolution imagery. Full expedition data. Video. Available for interview.
Request the Press Kit28 Days. Captured.
Photographs from the crossing. Shot on iPhone.
The Route
Every camp. Every push day. Every kilometre. Tracked via Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus.
28 Days of Data.
Every day on the ice tracked using a Whoop 5.0, Garmin Fenix 8, and inReach Mini 3 Plus. Distance, elevation, recovery score, HRV, resting heart rate, blood oxygen, skin temperature, calorie burn, sleep architecture, and cumulative sleep debt. The full picture of what the crossing cost. Including the day the foot gave out, what the post-expedition scans found, and what the body actually did under 28 days of sustained load.
From the Ice and After.
The writing that came out of the crossing. Before, during, and after. Raw reflections from the ice and the processing that followed.
The Story on Screen.
Four videos. The full story of the crossing, from the why to the finish.
Expedition Partnerships
Greenland was the first. There is more coming. North Pole. South Pole. A solo Greenland crossing. Other big ice. The brands that come in now get ground-level access: on the ice, in the content, and in front of the audiences this work reaches. Helly Hansen, OM System, Stanley, and Leatherman were part of Greenland. Their gear was in every update, worn in every image, and seen by everyone who followed this crossing. That's what expedition partnership looks like in practice. If your brand wants in on what comes next, this is where it starts.
Start the ConversationBrands that supported the crossing
This is what I wore across 553km of ice. Every piece chosen before the crossing, tested for 28 days at the limit. None of it failed. Get yours at hellyhansen.co.za.
I was humbled by all the people who put their money behind this crossing and deeply grateful to every one of them. But more than the financial support, it's the messages that keep me going. These aren't reviews. They're belief, written down. If you want to add yours, there's a form below.
"Cheering you on from Canada! What an incredible adventure!"
Torie Peterson"What an epic adventure! Jealous of the dedication, but glad to participate in the easiest way possible. From the comfort of my reclining chair."
Eric Knepper"You've inspired me for years Gerry! Love to help keep it going!"
Joe Stam"Think you're a legend. Straight up good guy."
Linda Crozier"I'm impressed by this project. I hope it comes true and you can live an extraordinary experience."
Yann Diesinger"Gerry, watching your dedication to this white whale has been inspiring. You've been focused, committed, and relentless in the best way. We can't wait to see this goal come to life."
Mary Schrader"I have been listening to you since 2018, through COVID, watched your journey. Love the newsletter."
Eileen Sotomora"Because you never give up. Because you are awesome. Because I'm so excited to see your adventure unfold. Because you have this."
Jashika Patel"Best of luck. I know you've been working to this goal for years."
Tom Hartzell"Chuck and Mel wish you good luck!"
Chuck Wood"Your age is never the one in your passport. Make sure you are younger! Happy Birthday."
Jacqueline and Fabian Niggemeier"Happy BDay Gerry. As you said to me as I turned 60: You Got This. Thank you for your content, support and past coaching. It has helped me immensely."
Grace Preston"Been watching this journey unfold for the past couple years. If anyone can do this, it's you. Inspired by your perseverance and commitment, you've got this!"
Lindsey Holmes"From all at Wild Eye we would like to wish you an incredible 50th birthday. We value all the value that you have shared over the years."
Wild Eye"You are an inspiration, you helped get me out of some seriously shitty days. You helped me have confidence in myself to chase windmills. You got this! I back you 100%"
Morag Saunders"To help you become no 5 in South Africa to complete this."
Marie Ostrom"I have learned so much from you and appreciate your friendship. Can't wait to see you succeed! Go be awesome!"
Liz Mansfield"What an adventure! We are excited to see you accomplish such an amazing goal!"
Mark and Roxanne Berdahl"Backing a buddy to do hard things, to ask of yourself questions most never dare to face, to go to the edge of resilience and grit not just to find answers, but to discover the very questions themselves."
Stuart Hancock"Your determination and drive for self exploration and never get comfortable attitude is an inspiration. All the best for the trip."
Tom Bulpitt"Gerry, I saw you speak years ago at a Samy's Camera event in LA when I was just getting started on my photography journey. I have followed you ever since. As much as I value your perspective on wildlife photography, travel, exploration, I have learned much more from your perspective on life. Every single thing you've written from a coaching perspective resonates with me. You have a gift. Godspeed."
Craig Elson"You've done more for the both of us than you will ever know. You've got this!"
Kat Morland"I have learned a lot from you in the field and through your newsletters. I can only begin to imagine the new lessons you'll share with us after subduing this white whale."
Valerie Kernan"Gerry! You're always an inspiration! Best of luck for the trek!"
Emily Damico"I want to support you to reach your goal and realize your dream."
Engin Akis"I believe in you! You got this!"
Beate Assmuth-Ong"Good luck Gerry! You've inspired me many times over these many years and I'm honored to contribute to your adventure."
Patricia Petkosek"Inspirational!"
Fiona Barnes"Every penny counts! Just keep putting one foot in front of the other."
Serena Luthe"I'm 83 and I want to hear your story before I get too old to enjoy it."
Barbara White"To great accomplishments!"
Kevin Lohman"Because you are inspiring! And you have helped so many people! So, why not you?"
Joni Munsterteiger"Best of luck on the trek."
Thomas Hartzell"You did it !!!"
Marie Öström"Congrats G!! So awesome you all made it across Greenland!"
Daleesa"Hi Gerry, last day of your odyssey. I followed from the first day and read all your messages. I was wondering what were the problems you had with your feet. Some issues with your boots? Too tight and causing swelling and pain after a day on ski? Or the unusual strain put on them causing bone stress that might have led to some sort of fatigue fracture? I hope you finish safely! Best regards, Yann"
Yann Diesinger"Happy to see you all doing well and almost to the finish line! Looking forward to hearing more about your journey across the ice! Safe travels Home!"
Daleesa"Following along your Greenland journey, you are a real inspiration! Keep going!"
Pascale Beagrie"Cheering you on everyday G! Glad you are all well, with the few challenges you face daily. However, so many rewards and memories being made. Dye 2 looked epic! Thanks for continuing to share pictures and small things daily. I check in everyday to see how far the group has traveled. You're halfway!!! Keep going! Onward my friend!"
Daleesa Bullard"You have helped change the way I see the world. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love following you and continuing learning from you. I am cheering for you to make this journey successful and here's to you Rafiki."
Kim Vanderwal"I have learned so much from you over the years and I look forward to hearing all about this incredible journey. Stay safe and see you on the other side!"
Linda Clews"Dude! What an inspiration! Remember rule #18, LIMBER UP!"
Bernard TroskieIf the crossing meant something to you, or you want to add your voice to the wall, the form is below.
Svalbard 2013. Where It Started.
The first time I stepped off a plane in Longyearbyen, something about the place pulled me in. I kept coming back. Year after year, hosting small group photo tours for Wild Eye through the Arctic. Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland. Photographing wildlife, landscapes, and places that felt like nowhere else on earth. It's been a love affair ever since, and I still host these tours now. The more time I spent there, the more I learned about its history, the beautiful danger it held, and explorers like Amundsen and the golden age of polar exploration. When I started looking for a white whale experience for my 50th birthday, this is where the whole journey started.
Svalbard 2024. First Steps on Arctic Ice.
Six days at 78 degrees N. First time on polar ice. Hauling sleds through deep snow in temperatures down to -30C. The experience that changed everything and set the course for Greenland. The shadow voices were loud. I outlasted them.
Svalbard 2025. Ten Days at 80 degrees N.
A focused 10-day training expedition. Glacier travel, mountain passes, frozen valleys. Testing every system needed for the crossing. Building polar experience from knowledge into expertise. Eight full days on the ice.
Greenland 2026. The Crossing.
553 kilometres. 28 days. 70 to 100kg sled. Unsupported. On the ice May 1 to May 29. One of fewer than 5 South Africans to complete this. Three years of preparation. Done.
2028. Solo Greenland Crossing.
The Polar Trilogy continues. A solo unsupported crossing of the Greenland Ice Sheet, which would make me the first South African to complete this. Every expedition builds on the last. The planning has already started.
Before the ice, there's the mental preparation. In this conversation with Jacques from The Endure Edge podcast, we talk about the mental preparation and mindset behind the Greenland expedition. The fear. The RAPG framework. What it actually takes to commit to something that terrifies you and then show up for it every day. Worth a watch if you're keen to understand the mindset behind the crossing.
Greenland is the first crossing. Not the last. The Polar Trilogy is on the cards. North Pole. South Pole. A solo Greenland crossing, which would make me the first South African to complete this. Each one builds on the last. Each one feeds new material, new insights, and new stories into the coaching, speaking, and expedition work.
But the ice is just one kind of white whale. I'm open to and actively exploring other adventures that push the same edges. Different environments. Different challenges. Same commitment to doing hard things in real time and bringing the lessons back.
It started on Greenland's ice. That chapter is done. The next one is already in motion.
The Polar Primer is the first on-ramp. Eight days in Svalbard, March 2027, for people who want to know what the ice feels like and do the work on their own resilience while they're at it.
Want to Know What an Arctic Expedition Feels Like? And Work on Your Resilience While You're at It.
If you've been following the Greenland journey and wondering what it actually feels like to be on the ice, this is your way in. No Arctic experience needed. Professional polar guides. A small group. March 2027. Svalbard, Norway. You will need a reasonable level of physical fitness, but that's part of the process. I'll coach you through the preparation personally so you arrive ready.
Two days in Longyearbyen working on resilience, headspace, and performance. Five days on the ice. Skiing, sled hauling, and camping in real polar conditions. One day to debrief and process what you just experienced. Eight days total.
Eight days on and around the ice. Resilience coaching. Real polar expedition. No experience needed. You will need to train and prepare, and I will guide you through every step of that. What I can tell you is this: you will come back a different person. More info to follow 2027.
Waitlist Open
The Ice Was Just the Start
Greenland is done. The next chapter is already in motion. If the work resonated, if you want it on stage, in your organisation, on the ice, or in your corner, the door is open.