Beginnings
Spring 2003
James Richardson proposed the Tien Shan in Kyrgyzstan and initially put
in quite a bit of work and found a contact.
Alan (L) Jones proposed Greenland with the main objective of climbing
Karabiner Peak.
Autumn 2003
Not enough interest was shown for the above proposals but opinion was
still to have an expedition in 2004. A meeting was organised at the
Gregsons. (Attended: Jim, Sandy, Scott, Duncan, Dave and Al) Jim
proposed visiting an unexplored area of Greenland half way up the East
coast close to the ice cap. Drop off and pick up would be by Twin Otter
onto a glacier. But at around £24000 just for the flight from
Iceland with a maximum of 6 people the costs were beyond what we could
or wanted to afford, and we would not get many from the Club.
A slideshow given by Niall Grimes earlier in the year about his exploits
on the Baroness, pointed us to Pamiagdluk Island. Rob found some maps at
Stanfords in Manchester. Scott set about writing a MEF application as
the deadline was approaching fast. One night with the help of Duncan and
Dave finished it, and because it required the name of the Expedition
leader, Dave was out voted 2:1 and became Expedition Leader Elect.
The expedition was truly born one November evening at Ty Powdwr with an
informal meeting of Dave, Duncan, Rob, Scott and Al and it was decided
then that 'them’s that want to go will have pay a deposit of
£1000', this would cover most of the cost of getting to Greenland.
Dave also became Treasurer. By the middle of January 12 deposits had
been paid and that is the maximum transport could cope with.
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