Two first weeks of November Nautical students from Tromso university had their Arctic safety course at UNIS Longyearbyen. This was a pilot project initiated by the Svalbard University Center. Students learn about the challenges operating in the Arctic. Both in the name of science, cruise tourismen and marine transport and the cruise manuals for this. I…
Rune became an ambassador for the European Outdoor Conservation Association this spring. The Association have currently 109 members of this ‘not-for profit’ Association, stretching from Norway to Spain and from the UK across to the Czech Republic. As a charitable organisation directly funding specific projects, the association wants to show that the European outdoor industry is…
19th of September the yearly Cordon Rouge Club dinner happened, Hyde Park, London, Mumm Champagne. Quite a few of the members came, but as usual the most of them are out somewhere on a project or expedition. It became a lovely and lively afternoon, with lots of good stories and good laugh. Extraordinary good food…
David on way up Mt.Blance We made a nice trip to Mt. Blanc in a team of five. David asked me to join long time ago, but did not decide to go before the day before. Went up to Cosmic Hut (Aquell Du Midi) on Saturday afternoon and started off from the hut at…
Thursday the 14th of June 2012 the Norwegian polar explorer and adventurer Rune Gjeldnes was awarded the prestigious Mungo Park Medal from the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. In addition to the medal Mr Gjeldnes was also given an honorary membershipof the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. The award ceremony took place at PerthConcert Hall in Scotland,…
Since 1999, together with Bergans, Rune has been looking for the best Polar expedition clothing possible. For the Summer North Pole expedition we were looking for modifications on the Bergans Antarctica suite made in Microfiber. There will always be some few things to optimize and want changes. During summertime on the Arctic Ocean we new…
Had some few days with Skydiving at Rena/Norway last week. Had good fun with friend Arne Rydning and also tried new parachute. Much smaller than I have. Also flying from 11000 ft through the cumulus clouds with Arne. Wonderful and good fun. Need more air and training for sure.
Rune was asked to write a children’s book about Fridtjof Nansen some time ago, by Kagge Publishing. Now the book is finished written, printed and out for sale. For Rune it has been a challenging writing. Certainly everything had to be right on the spot. 70-80 other books is about him. It then also had…
Came to Longyearbyen in the afternoon, and everyone hands on sorting the gear and food out. The flight to the Borneo station was the next day. Very short time, but we made everything ready for the flight in time. Everything was organized by my good expedition colleague David Hempleman-Adams and his company Cold Climate Expedition.…
Back home Well back in Norway after six fantastic weeks on Madagascar. The four weeks journey down the river has been even more exciting, more challenging and more beautiful than expected. It will take time to digest all the memories, and they will never be forgotten. One of the best memories is all the friendly…
Medical training Both of us have several medic courses, but it’s always important to do a brush up before each expedition. We had one evening with Dr. Kjell, specialist in anesthetic and he will be the expedition doctor. All the medicine was gone through, and the most possible and common injuries and treats for this…
26th of May I had the honor to become a member of the Cordon Rouge Club. This happened on Isle of White. The best was to get the membership together with a expedition hero for myself, which have been an inspiration since I was a little boy, Sir Chris Bonnington. Great! The club was founded…
2nd April – 8th of April I had the pleasure to join and “help” four clients to the North Pole. It was organized by my expedition colleague David Hempelman-Adams. Earlier I have always been walking on skis up there, but this year we did not. We took the Russian airplane from Longyearbyen on Svalbard and…
Finally the new book about Rune´s Antarctica crossing is now launched. The book is coming both in Norwegian and English, and the English titel is “BEYON THE POLES”. Some weeks delayed because of problem with the book-printers,but now it is available for sale at bookstores in Norway and on Rune´s webshop. Rune started the writing in…
Have been working, together with Acapulka, with a new type of sledge for two years. Last winter we had the final product ready after some prototypes. It’s built on the well-tested and successful Arctic Ocean pulk frame. Why making a new sledge? Just because the Arctic Ocean sledge was made for the Arctic Ocean, rubble…
Finally the new tent is ready. Have been working together with the designer at Bergans with an expedition tent during a longer period. It is a two man tent, but if necessary an extreme three man tent. Several prototypes have been made and have been tested in different areas. It is made as a one…
After testing and failing, modifying and testing I have become very satisfied with the new Bergans Antarctica wind clothing. On the Arctic Ocean 2000 we become very happy with the microfiber which was used. Testing clothing and the new sledge. It was surprisingly endurable fabric. Bergans has not been abel to find the same, however the…
The World’s First and only Unsupported Crossing of the Arctic Ocean The expedition team was Norwegians Rune Gjeldnes & Torry Larsen Arctic Ocean 2000 is an exceptional account of an exceptional expedition. The world’s first successful unsupported crossing of the Arctic Ocean. It’s been called the world’s worst skiing trip, the last challenge of thegreat classic…
Rune Gjeldnes 
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