Dreams & Why?

The adventure stories from ‘The Age of Polar Exploration,’ when Peary, Amundsen, Nansen, Scott and Shackleton made discoveries of the North and South Poles, Northwest Passage and Greenland, opened my imagination to the far corners of our world.  Loving all things winter and knowing there were still discoveries left undone, I launched my Arctic career 35 years ago.  One thing all these explorers had in common was that they used ships built for cold and ice to transport teams and supplies closest to their goals. Nowadays, most science teams, adventurers and goal-seekers rely on aircraft. 

Lonnie on the St. Lawrence Seaway (Photo Pascale Marceau)

I’ve always had this sentimental desire, a nostalgia to go north in my own ship, supporting and supplying my expeditions as they did 100-plus years ago.  What it feels like to start from your hometown.  Feel the distance, the voyage, the connection to the sea and cultures.  Ultimately, we aim to wiggle the ship as far north as possible. Driven by the goal of filming, storytelling, and the tangible laying of supply depots for future expeditions, I carry with me the reverence and respect for the historical explorers who paved the way. 

Our itinerary in the coming weeks will be to reach eastern Quebec, then dock in St Anthony, Newfoundland the end of June to explore and wait for a weather window for our 900-mile crossing to Greenland.

Special thanks to PrimaLoft - High Performance Sustainable Insulation