2011

Ellesmere Island - first circumnavigation

Jon Turk & Erik Boomer · Arctic

First circumnavigation of Ellesmere Island. Hauled 13ft touring kayaks across sea ice on skis until too broken up, then hopped from one piece of unstable ice to another dragging 300lb loads. 1,485 miles in 104 days.

Jon Turk and Erik Boomer completed the first kayak circumnavigation of Ellesmere Island in 2011 - 1,485 miles in 104 days. The route required hauling 13-foot touring kayaks across sea ice on skis until the ice became too broken up, then hopping from one piece of unstable ice to another while dragging 300lb loads. Among the most physically demanding kayak journeys ever recorded.