ARTIST: Stein Retzlaff

LOCATION: The Arctic Ocean

BEHIND THE ART: I took this photo at 80 degrees North of the 'North Pole Crossing 2019' and we still hadn't seen any ice. A degree further we finally reach our first ice and there began our intrepid journey to 85°34" N 139°E - the highest latitude ever reached by any non-ice breaking vessel in history during the Fall/Winter months.

This expedition was lead by Mike Horn and Børge Ousland while aboard the great, Pangaea. To reach our final position to drop Mike and Børge off, it took several days of ice navigation. We reached the ice edge at 81°N and managed to get to 82°N relatively easily. The process of navigating 82° 83°and 84° was more difficult and took our whole team in positions around the boat keeping us moving safely for 24-hours every day.

At 84°19'N, we reached some pack-ice where we thought our adventure was coming to a close. Mike Horn suggested we stay for the night and hope for an open-lead to appear on the horizon. 12-hours later, Mike was correct and the whole team was on deck and back in position to continue North. It was not easy, but when we reached 84°30'N, we were moving due North on an open lead that stretched as far as our eyes could see. As we passed 85°N, with Mike Horn and Børge Ousland at the helm, our whole team was ecstatic. Not only did we make history, but we had the opportunity to push even further North on this open water lead that lasted for miles.

It is wild for me to recall how massive that open water lead was at 85N. We were in a small ocean surrounded by beaches of ice and we could see water for miles 360° around us. Not only were we deep in the polar ice pack, but we were also now traveling at 10 knots! The next week was spent trying to get free of the polar ocean's frozen grip.