Major Expeditions

LAST NORTH EXPEDITION - 2014

In March 2014, Eric Larsen and Ryan Waters, will traverse the Arctic Ocean from Northern Ellesmere Island to the geographic North Pole. The team hopes to cover the nearly 500-mile distance in less than 49 days; in doing so, they would break the current 'unsupported' expedition speed record set by a Norwegian team in 2006.

CYCLE SOUTH EXPEDITION - 2012

Attempted bicycle expedition to the Geographic South Pole. The goal of the expedition was to bicycle form Hercules Inlet to the Geographic South Pole a distance of 730 miles. While Eric was not able to complete the full traverse, he did cover a quarter of the distance to the pole.

SAVE THE POLES - 2009/2010

In 2009, Eric Larsen began an unprecedented journey to the top, bottom and roof of the world. During a continuous 365-day period, Larsen mounted major expeditions to the North and South Poles and the summit of Mt. Everest. Larsen is the only person to have completed this feat in a one-year time span. To date, less than 20 people in history have completed full expeditions to all three 'poles'.



South Pole: Guiding for Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions (ALE), Eric led two clients to the South Pole via Hercules Inlet. Starting from the edge of the Antarctic continent on the Filchner Ice Shelf, our team skied 730 miles (934 km) to the Geographic South Pole covering the entire distance in 48 days arriving on January 2, 2010.



North Pole: Traveling with Canadian team mate Darcy St. Laurent and English team member Antony Jinman, the team skied, snowshoed and at times even swam roughly 550 miles from Cape Discovery, Ellesmere Island to the Geographic North Pole in 51 days arriving on April 22, 2010 .



Mt. Everest: Climbing with a small Sherpa team, Eric summited Mt. Everest on October 15th, 2010 and stands as the only Fall summit since.

DENALI - 2009

In July of 2009, Ryan Waters, Mark Sheen and Eric traveled to Talkeetna, Alaska to climb Mt. McKinley (Denali) North America's highest peak. Concerned about gaping crevasses common in late season climbing, a large snowfall prior to our departure to base camp substantially improved snow surface. Once on the Kahiltna Glacier, the team was able to make steady progress to 14,000' camp. After a rest/acclimatization day, the team climbed up the headwall to lay a cache at 17,200' camp. Noting the calm conditions, they decided to take advantage of the great weather and reach the summit.

ANTARCTICA - 2008

Guiding for Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions (ALE), Eric led a diverse group of four clients to the South Pole via the route originally pioneered by famed mountaineer, Rheinhold Messner. Starting from the edge of the Antarctic continent on the Filchner Ice Shelf, our team skied 580 miles (934 km) to the Geographic South Pole covering the entire distance in 43 days arriving on January 3, 2009.

ONE WORLD EXPEDITION - 2006

To date the only successful 'summer' style North Pole expedition. In early May 2006 , Eric and team mate Lonnie Dupre departed Cape Discovery, Ellesmere Island on what was to be one of the most physically demanding and mentally challenging expeditions of his life. Traditionally, Arctic Ocean expeditions had been launched during the coldest time of year while the ice is still thick and stable. Yet freeze-thaw conditions, dangerous shifting ice floes, slush and melt water pools had prevented even the most experienced explorers from even attempting a summer North Pole Expedition. The team spent nearly four years planning and preparing and even developed specially modified canoes that could be pulled like sleds and paddled like boats. After a failed attempt in 2005 from Siberia, he pair achieved the North Pole on July 2nd, after 62 days on the ice. Initially, they had planned to return to land, but due to Lonnie's increasingly worrisome medical condition, they rendezvoused with a Russian Ice Breaker at the North Pole.