Arctic Ascent: Science, Adventure and the Changing Cryosphere

One of the most important aspects of the research program was Pool Wall—a towering 450-meter vertical face of gneiss, rising dramatically above a turquoise pool. It was the perfect site to bring together science and climbing in a way that had never been done before. Our mission? To collect rock cores from the base to the summit, reconstructing the timeline of ice retreat in this part of Greenland. By analyzing these samples, we could determine how quickly the ice deglaciated at the end of the last Ice Age, which would provide crucial insights into Greenland’s sensitivity to modern climate change and, in turn, its contribution to sea-level rise.

Of course, retrieving those samples was no small feat. I would have found scaling this cliff on my own rather “challenging,” to put it lightly. But luckily, I had the most skilful and talented team, who were just as excited about the science as they were about the climb. With each ascent, they helped me carefully drill and extract rock samples. The science and climbing were so deeply intertwined in this project that the climbers themselves became an integral part of the research.

With the rock cores secured, we set off for the next stage of our journey: the Renland Ice Cap. A remote ice mass perched on the periphery of the Greenland Ice Sheet, Renland is a critical site for understanding how ice caps are responding to climate change. These peripheral ice caps are the canary in the coal mine, responding much faster to increasing temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns than the massive ice sheet itself.

Our key scientific task on Renland was to conduct a traverse with ground-penetrating radar (GPR), a method that allows us to see inside the ice, mapping its internal structure and measuring thickness variations. This was a major scientific first, and the success of the operation hinged on the expertise and endurance of our team. Adam Mike Kjeldsen, our Greenlandic guide, was instrumental in making this happen.

After successfully completing our Renland research, we continued deeper into the fjord system, heading toward Ingmikortilaq—the final and most dramatic challenge of our expedition. This colossal rock face, rising 1,400 meters above the sea, was the ultimate test for our climbers. But for me, it was also an opportunity to contribute to critical research on permafrost stability. In high Arctic environments like Greenland, permafrost holds many of these massive cliffs together. As the climate warms and permafrost thaws, these walls can become unstable, leading to dramatic collapses potentially generating tsunamis that threaten coastal communities.

To better understand these risks, we installed some of GEUS’ temperature sensors on Ingmikortilaq to monitor rock permafrost conditions over time. Aldo Kane and Mikey Schaefer played a crucial role in placing these sensors in key locations, despite the difficult climbing conditions. For once, I was quite relieved not to be invited to join the climb. With this data, scientists will be able to track changes in permafrost temperature and assess the likelihood of future collapses. The data collected throughout the expedition is now in the hands of the research institutions for processing and interpretation, and the findings will provide valuable insights into the ongoing changes in the Arctic.

Looking back on this expedition, one of the most powerful takeaways was seeing world-class athletes advocate for the Arctic and for climate action. Climbing and science are often seen as separate worlds, but here they came together in the most seamless and meaningful way. The physical challenge of these landscapes mirrored the scientific urgency—both requiring precision, endurance and an unwavering sense of purpose. I truly hope that Arctic Ascent reaching audiences on Disney+ will help highlight the importance of Greenland, the Arctic and the people whose lives and livelihoods are being shaped by climate change. This series is more than just an adventure—it’s a call to action. It shows what is possible when diverse communities: scientists, climbers, local guides, bring their knowledge and skills together for the greater good. The Arctic is changing at an alarming rate, but the work we do today can still make a difference.