Q. Where is the Arctic?

A: Generally, the Arctic is the region that surrounds the North Pole. It includes the Arctic Ocean, thousands of islands and the northern land masses of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Siberia. The landscape varies from tundra (a plain void of trees where a layer of soil remains frozen year round) to icy mountains. There are several more specific definitions of the Arctic that vary based on temperature, tree line, political interests, science. Perhaps the most common definition, and the one we will use for the purposes of this web site is Arctic Circle, defined by the 66th Parallel (an imaginary line around the earth).

Q. Who owns the Arctic region?

A. There are eight countries who own land in the Arctic region; Canada, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Russia, and the United States.

Q. How cold is it in the Arctic?

A. Arctic winters are long and cold and summers are short and cool. Temperatures vary with latitude, ice and snow cover, and proximity to the ocean. In the midwinter months, the sun never rises and temperatures can easily reach lows of down to -90ºF (reported in Siberia & Greenland). Summers are short and cool with 24 hours of continuous hours of sunlight allowing for some melting of snow and ice. Average summer temperatures reported on the ice sheet range from 0º F to 20º F.

Q. Does the Arctic get a lot of snow?

A. Many high Arctic locations are considered cold deserts, meaning any location that generally has short, moist and moderately warm summers and long, cold winters and receive (with some exceptions) less than 10 inches of precipitation annually. Generally, precipitation amounts are higher the farther south you travel. Most precipitation in the Arctic takes the form of snow, which falls mainly during the autumn and early spring.

Q. When is the best time to travel to the Arctic?

A. Generally, the Arctic is relatively accessible at any time of the year. The best opportunity to view the Aurora Borealis occurs during the cold and dark winter nights. However, in terms of expedition cruising, the best time to visit the Arctic is during the summer season (between June & September). Some areas of the Arctic region become ice free earlier than others, allowing ships to pass through the broken ice. Some areas are only accessible in the late summer - and in all instances you should be aware that depending on conditions, the route can never be guaranteed.

Q. When do you see the best wildlife?

A. In the Arctic, birds are most active during the early months of June and July. The viewing of other wildlife, including; polar bears, Arctic hares, walrus, harp seals, whales etc. (depending on your latitude) remains constant throughout the summer season. Count on the skills and knowledge of your expedition team and a bit of luck to experience many sightings.

Q. What is the most important think I should know about preparing for the Arctic?

A. In a single word - layers! And today's lightweight, high-tech fibers make layering far more comfortable and less bulky. Plus, these hardworking new fabrics actually move moisture away from your skin, keeping you dry and comfortable.

Q. How many layers should I wear?

A. We recommend three essential layers. The base layer is designed to maintain our body's core warmth, while at the same time absorbing the moisture from your skin. The mid-insulation layer is next, providing warmth and breathability, without adding a lot of bulk. Last comes the outer shell, designed to shed water and create a windproof barrier.

Q. Will we be walking on snow?

A. Yes. You will most likely be walking on snow, ice and water. Therefore we recommend two types of boots for your adventure. One pair should be hiking boot style with good ankle support and non-skid sole for walks ashore and on the ice. Second, a pair of waterproof boots that are mid-calf or higher, have a good non-skid sole, and will allow you to make wet landings by Zodiac without getting wet and cold. Make sure your boots allow space to add layered socks for warmth/insulation.

Q. Which famous explorer is credited as the first explorer to reach the North Pole, and in what year?

A: With some continued controversy, Robert Edwin Peary, an American explorer and Naval officer claims to be the first to have reached the North Pole on April 6, 1909.

Q. Which famous explorer is credited with the first flight over the North Pole?

A. Roald Amundsen, Norwegian explorer, together with Lincoln Ellsworth flew the plane Norge from Spitsbergen to Alaska via the North Pole. This was the first trans-Arctic flight directly across the North Pole.

Q. Who was the first explorer to navigate through the Northwest Passage by ship?

A. Roald Amundsen, Norwegian explorer, was the first to travel the Northwest Passage aboard his ship named Gjoa in 1905.

Q. Who was the first explorer to navigate through the Northeast Passage by ship?

A. Nils Nordenskjold, the Swedish explorer traveling by steamship named Vega from Norway. Despite reports of being ice-bound in the Arctic during winter, Nils eventually made it into the Pacific Ocean. 1878-1879.

Q. What is the Aurora Borealis?

A. Aurora Borealis, also called the Northern Lights are beautiful and amazing displays of light that appear in the night sky. The Aurora Borealis occurs when electrically charged particles from the sun collide with gases in the earth's upper atmosphere. The Aurora Borealis has been described in many ways, including; pillars, streaks, wisps, and curtains - all of vibrant color.

Q. What is the ANWR?

A. ANWR stands for Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a 19 million acre wilderness located within the coastal plain of northeast Alaska and Canada. ANWR is the largest refuge in the National Refuge System and features spectacular mountain peaks, interior lakes, tundra wetlands, and coastal plain void of trees. Streams, rivers and gullies within the ANWR drain into the Beaufort Sea. Approximately 92% of this reserve is off-limits to development, with 8 million acres designated Federal Wilderness, currently the most restrictive classification by the US government. A portion of the ANWR coastal plains contain geological structures that hint of oil reserves, and thus the intense national debate of drilling in the ANWR and the impact it would have on the wildlife, flora and fauna.