AVANNA, an Arctic Greenlandic reconnaissance fact-finding boat expedition.

Avannaa Expedition is happening right now. It is a Greenlandic reconnaissance fact-finding boat expedition. Explorers, including Ole Jorgen Hammeken (Uummannaq Polar Institute) and Galya Morrell (Uummannaw Music Project), are boating from the Heart of the Arctic, Uummannaq, towards Siorapaluk, Etah, and further North.

On August 1st, received a message from Galya:

“We got in the storm and the boat was damaged – here is a very quick account of our trip. The weather forecast for the day was excellent, yet…. everything changed in a mili second we are fine now.”

“We are stranded on a little island – while repairing the boat.”

In the attachement, I found the following photographs. Enjoy and join brave Arctic explorers at the expedition website www.avannaa.org.

What’s the Avannaa expedition mission?

Love how they describe it!

Uummannaq Polar Institute boat expedition will travel to the land that is invisible to most of the people. Our expedition is Avannaa. Our destination is Avannaa.

Unlike most travelers from the West, Greenlanders do not travel to win, to conquer, to make a statement or to proclaim superiority. They travel because it is their style of life. And Avannaa is no exception. From the Heart of the Arctic, Uummannaq, we will sail towards another Uummannaq in Thule Land, to Qaannaaq, Siorapaluk and Etah – exactly like we did many times in the past. The only difference is that now we will try to go further.

There is no plot or fixed idea about the outcome of this expedition. There is no pre-approved scenario. Because what kind of scenario can one have in Bliss Bay? Or certainly, one can have a scenario, but then there would be always some one else with a better scenario for you. Instead, we will stay faithful to an old Greenlandic principle – wander, accept and adapt. And we will be doing just that – no matter what happens.

On our way, we will observe and film rock and soil, earth and ice, water and sky, wind and currents, wildflowers and ancient lichens, polar bears and arctic butterflies, foxes and ravens, people, walruses and phytoplankton that too has to adopt to abrupt changes – often with little success. We will talk to our old friends who live in the world’s northernmost settlements and will find out what they think about changes in hunting, cooking, shelter and ceremonials. But to no extent will we judge, or make conclusions or assumptions. We will leave it those who are fit to do that type of work.

We will do all that because we would like to make sure that the voices of the northernmost people and animals inhabiting Avannaa are heard. We invite you to join us in this journey virtually – please, feel free to connect and ask questions. Our satellite phone will work … until it stops. Qujanarujusuaq tamaasa! – Thank you, one and all!

Mission in short

To sail by boat farther North of Greenland than anyone has previously reached on the Greenlandic side of the Lincoln Sea.

Expedition crew

Expedition leader: Ole Jorgen Hammeken, Uummannaq, Greenland
Co-expedition leader: Albert Lukassen, Uummannaq, Greenland
Filmmaker Bertrand Lozay, Bretagne, France
Reporter & photographer: Galya Morrell, NYC, USA

The expedition is supported by the Government of Greenland. The letter of support was signed by Premier of Greenland Kuupic Kleist.

Read Support letter from Kuupic Kleist

Now enjoy photographs!

The last Avannaa expedition update says:

At 5 am, after a stormy night on the sea, we climbed up the slippery rocks of Aappilattoq Island, leaving our battered and for now immobile boat behind. What now?

Follow the expedition at www.avannaa.org