Anne Quéméré heads for the North Pole

The Northwest Passage to the North Pole by Kayak

A SOLO CROSSING

Adventurer Anne Quéméré completed a solo crossing of the Atlantic, propelled by two oars and her mental strength. This time, to cross the legendary Northwest Passage, she is attempting the journey by kayak: “Impressive in its scale but minimalist in its resources, it can only be undertaken during the summer months when the melting ice temporarily opens a route between Lancaster Sound and the Beaufort Sea,” she explains.

3,400 KILOMETRES

She had 3,400 kilometres to cover by kayak, through the ice of the Arctic Circle.

With two excellent films featured on the programme ‘Thalassa’, Sébastien Roubinet gave us a fairly accurate insight into the environment and the ice break-up in July. This is the sort of adventure that demands uncompromising technical and physical preparation.

It was Sébastien, a loyal member of our AKAMMAK ambassadors, who introduced us to Anne a few months before her departure, recommending Akammak’s thermoregulatory clothing to her. He had tested them during his expeditions with Tibabouche and, for him, in this environment, they are the very best.

Captivated by the project, and by Anne’s simplicity and kindness – her fierce energy and love of a challenge are evident in her smile – we gladly accepted. Supporting these adventurers as they attempt the impossible is essential to us. We therefore kitted Anne out from head to toe with our Turty top, a hat, a balaclava and gloves.

On her return, she confirmed that our technical clothing – and in particular the Pulk leggings and the Ulpa balaclava – felt so natural that she barely noticed she was wearing them; they were like a second skin.