Iceland from North to South - A Winter Ski Kite Expedition
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Time to read 7 min
On February 24, 2024, from Akureyri, in northern Iceland, the famous polar navigator and explorer Sébastien Roubinet and Jean Christian Kipp, vice-president of the French Explorers Society, were joined by photographer and adventurer Maxime Mergalet for a ski kite crossing of Iceland.
This expedition reflects the spirit of adventure that unites these enthusiasts. Their journey took them through breathtaking landscapes, challenging the elements throughout their trip.
"A polar adventure, on ski kite, requires preparation!"
The birth of the ski kite expedition
Once upon a time, there was a story of mentorship and friendship. A few years ago, Maxime contacted Sébastien regarding his project to row around Brittany. Their collaboration continued with a trimaran convoy across the Atlantic and a ski kite session in the Vercors. Sébastien, having become Maxime’s mentor, invited him to join the winter expedition organized with his friend and patron, Jean Christian.
The goal of this adventure is simple: to test and prepare each expedition member to live autonomously for two weeks in extreme conditions. This journey allows Sébastien and Jean Christian to prepare for the next Nagalaqa expedition and allows Maxime to train for his upcoming polar expeditions.
Members of the ski kite expedition
Sébastien Roubinet - Expedition Leader (50 years old)
Adventurer, explorer, and renowned navigator, the first French recipient of the Shackleton Award. An extraordinary experience that led him to sail through unexplored areas: the first west-to-east crossing of the Arctic Ocean maritime border area by pure sailing in 2007 with three crew members.
Maxime Mergalet - Photographer / Videographer & team member (28 years old)
Adventurer and videographer photographer specializing in extreme environments, he received the award for best media person at the Guyader Bermude 1000 Race 2023. He is leading a photographic exploration project in the heart of Europe's glaciers aimed at highlighting the results of scientific research on climate change. A human, sporting, and committed adventure for the protection of polar ecosystems.
Jean Christian Kipp - Team Member (64 years old)
Vice President of the French Explorers Society. Adventurer, humanitarian volunteer, and former senior reporter, he has participated in many expeditions since the 1980s. He is also president of the Odysseus Foundation for the defense of freedoms. He supported and accompanied the beginnings of the Nagalaqa expedition led by Sébastien Roubinet in 2022 in Greenland.
Training and gearing up
The crossing of Iceland took place in mid-February, to benefit from extreme winter conditions and avoid the polar night which significantly shortens daylight hours. The three adventurers still seek difficult conditions to be ready for their next adventures.
We asked the team to share their advice on how to prepare for an expedition in extreme cold. And of course, you have to prepare... for the cold. It is important to properly acclimate your body to extreme temperatures to increase cold resistance, with ice baths for example.
The second important element: having good overall physical preparation. Maxime relies on his daily sports routine required by his job as an extreme photographer.
Finally, the choice of equipment made by Sébastien. It is essential to leave well-equipped: warm clothes that fit well, protect against weather conditions, and above all, are adapted to the body for the different efforts required by ski touring and ski kite (movement, sweating, etc.).
The adventurers' wardrobe
Logbook
The winter journey of the three adventurers began on February 24, 2024, in Akureyri, Iceland. Starting from the northernmost road, the team took 10 days and covered 172 km by ski kite to reach the first road in the south. The route was slightly modified due to unexpected weather and extreme conditions where temperatures can drop below minus 22 degrees. The variety of landscapes, from northern fjords to vast southern plains, added an extra layer of complexity to their already demanding route.
Recap of their journey told by Maxime Mergalet.
Day 1 - February 24
Departure from Akureyri in Northern Iceland, at the end of the largest fjord in Iceland. The group follows the river to rack up as many kilometers as possible before nightfall. A stubborn pulka tips over on the river side: quick thinking and alertness allow Maxime to get out of it without too much trouble.
12.79 km
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"Seb leads the way and watches for dangers, JC follows closely and Max brings up the rear."
Day 2 - February 25
The group moves on seal skin under the sun before setting up a camp, sheltered by rocks, that will withstand the storm
February 25
4.31 km
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"It’s very instructive to travel with Seb, you feel his years of experience."
Day 3 - February 26
Wait out the gust of wind sheltered in the tents.
0 km
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N 65.192855° W 18.221080°
"Seb managed all the food, and it’s really good! Nothing like the traditional freeze-dried meal. He developed with his wife Anne Lise, custom and dehydrated dishes, pure energy as good as at home."
Day 4 - February 27
The group prepares to resume the journey by moving the camp.
6.22 km
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Day 5 - February 28
The group approaches the fjord exit and builds a wall to surround and protect the camp at night.
9.08 km
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N 65.127343° W 18.196649°
"Given the wind forecast for tomorrow, there’s no point in moving on seal skin." A good day of pulka skiing usually covers 25-30 km and that’s what we do in a few hours of kite."
Day 6 - February 29
The group takes out the sails again and heads towards a hot spring
13.87 km
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"First really cold night, the awakening is magical, the tent is covered with crystals, we wake up in the world of Narnia."
Day 7 - March 1
The wild crossing of the Highlands: a majestic panorama, a fall and a wing that keeps going, a pulka that capsizes on the descent, and finally, the luxury of a cabin.
39.16 km
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"While falling, he cut his safety line with his ski. Seb rushes to JC and I take care of retrieving his wing, the 4 square meter one is too important to lose, if JC is injured Seb will already be with him."
Day 8 - March 2
Departure from Nyudalur, a game with the wind throughout the day.
23.03 km
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"The katabatic winds come down from the mountains and bring us gusts from the north then gusts from the south. It’s driving me crazy, we fold our wings and go on foot over very hard snow."
Day 9 - March 3
A favorable wind allows the group to cover 56 km in 3h30, the end of the journey is near.
56.14 km
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"I think back to our transatlantic where Seb was always ahead or one step ahead for sail changes, so I listen and trust him."
Day 10 - March 4
End of the crossing, the group enjoys the last kilometers
17.74 km
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“The team is seasoned, we push each other to see who will go fastest by choosing the best route. I’m doing pretty well until Seb pulls left to head upwind and leaves me behind.”
Feedback
“True freedom, I rediscovered the sensations of adventure, you sleep where you want, when you want, the true feeling of freedom”
The expedition was a true lesson in life and sharing. Guided by Sébastien, the navigator, whose experience was an invaluable source of know-how and caution, they learned to move wisely through storms and prioritize safety over speed. For JC, used to the business world and professional challenges, this expedition represented a new chapter, an opportunity to reconnect with nature and discover his own limits. The three generations of adventurers exchanged valuable lessons, each bringing their unique background to the adventure.
“10 days was too short”
Under the shared tents, discussions were lively, mixing laughter and deep reflections on life and adventure. Maxime, eager for performance and improvement, found a mentor in Sébastien, while JC, older and wiser, brought a spiritual perspective and enriching open-mindedness. This expedition showed that there is no age for adventure, and that going with companions from different generations is a unique chance to learn from each other and see the world from new angles.
And after?
We will soon be able to follow Sébastien Roubinet and Jean Christian Kipp on the continuation of the Nagalaqa expedition. To learn more about their previous journey to the heart of the northernmost Canadian islands, we recommend reading the adventure story accompanied by exceptional images of these mostly unexplored regions.
For Maxime Mergalet, it is on the side of the European glaciers that we will find him as part of his Heart of Ice project where the sporting feat becomes a means of communication and art a way to raise awareness about the fascinating world of glaciers.
A project to discover on its website and follow on Instagram.
