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Dubai-based Explorer Leads Historic Greenland Crossing

DUBAI - Overcoming freezing glacial waters and crevasses, Dubai-based explorer Adrian Hayes and a Canadian pair have traversed Greenland in record time.

After 67 days and 4262 kilometres, Hayes, Devon McDiarmid and Derek Crowe reached Qaanaq - the final destination in their historic crossing of Greenland.

Their route, from the southern to northern tip of the Greenland ice cap and then west using kites, had never been attempted before.

UAE-based, British explorer Hayes is already in the Guinness Book of Record for being the fastest person in history, and only the 15^th ever, to reach the ‘Three Poles of the Earth: North, South and Mount Everest.

The Emirates NBD Greenland Quest expedition has pushed the explorers to the extreme, with both Hayes and McDiarmid wading through freezing glacial melt waters and falling into crevasses while hauling sleds for 14 hours over treacherous mountainous conditions. Hayes also suffered a suspected broken rib from a kiting accident.

“It’s been a really difficult and challenging expedition, particularly mentally. We have never been able to take anything for granted and have had so many unexpected things descend on us throughout... But the sights we have seen were completely awe inspiring,” Hayes said.

“The hard work begins now, though, of using our expedition to highlight what we are doing to the planet and why we all need to think about effective use of the planet’s natural resources”.

Hayes hopes to draw attention to environmental issues with the expedition and the daily tests on the ice Hayes conducted will also be used in monitoring programmes studying climate change.

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