Flip Byrnes :: Crossing Greenland

Flip will use her Greenland crossing as a way to raise money for the Black Dog Institute, to help the fight against depression and bipolar disorder. “Basil” the black dog, will travel across Greenland with Flip. Together, they will receive lump sum donations or be sponsored for every kilometer they ski and kite. Donate here.

The trip is planned from 23 April 2008 and will cross 650km unsupported from Kulusuk to Ilulissat (East to West) across the Greenland Icecap.

Undertaking this route will be an Australian first, and Flip will be only the second Australian woman to have crossed Greenland.

After man hauling an 80kg sled containing fuel, food and equipment accross 250km of harsh terrain and up 2500m to the summit of Greenland (12days), Flip will then use prevailing winds to kite ski the remaining 400km(6 days).

If there is no wind, the 18 day journey will take 32 days.

Flip will use two kites custom-built for her in Switzerland.

Flip will consume over 5000 calories a day and will lose between 8-15kg on the journey.

For training, Flip is currently undertaking 3 x 2 hours of cardio a week, 3 x 1 hour of weights per week and drags tyres around Sydney – the best way to simulate dragging an 80kg sled. And eating hamburgers increase her weight from 52 – 62kg.

Greenland Kalaallit Nunaat Expedition Specialists (www.expeditiongreenland.com) are the logistics supplier, organizing permits and insurance.

Flip, a great grandaughter of legendary Australian explorer and photographer Frank Hurley, will haul 80kgs for 300km and up a 2500m summit before kite skiing 400km, to be the first Australian to cross the East-West route and the second woman across Greenland.

Inspired by watching a close friend suffer from BiPolar disorder for 14 years she is taking this opportunity to raise $15,000 for the Black Dog Institute for depression and mood disorders. In Australia 1 in 5 people will suffer from this silent but devestating condition.

Her dog “Basil”, a broomhead on wheels, will be the first pretend dog across the icecap. "Basil” is coming along as her mascot for the Black Dog Institute for depression. Winston Churchill called his depression “the Black Dog”.

Frank Hurley & the Shakelton Expedition

Two months after setting out, with Antarctica in sight, the ship was beset by pack ice in the Weddell Sea. The sun vanished and the crew sat out the four month polar night until October, when the ship was crushed and sank. The journey started in 1914 and was marooned until August 1916. Frank Hurley was the only Australian on board.

Frank was part of an ealier Antarctic expedition with Douglas Mawson, in 1911 which lasted until 1914.

Flip will be travelling as part of an international team, Arctic Kites. The team consist of:

Norwegian Ronny Finsas – world record holder for kite-ski travel (502km/24 hours, Antractica February 2008), British couple Chris Sunderland and Rachel Owen,
Brit Harry Reeves (Everest summiteer, 2005) who are raising funds for the Diabetes Association UK. For more information on the team, visit www.arctickites.com

The International Polar Year (or IPY) is a collaborative, international effort researching the polar regions. It has occurred in 1882-1883 and fifty years later (1932-1933).

The third International Polar Year is currently in progress and will last until 2009. It is being sponsored by the International Council for Science (ICSU) the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). During this time, focus is on the poles.

The polar areas have many unique phenomena. Circulatory systems for air and water reach the surface, as do the majority of the Earth's magnetic field lines. Thick glaciers have trapped air and water from ancient times. It is easiest to observe these phenomena near the poles.

Flip hopes to contribute to the third International Polar Year by raising public awareness of these areas through her expedition.