Hayes half way through Greenland adventure

Dubai: Briton Adrian Hayes and his Canadian colleagues Devon McDiarmid and Derek Crowe reached the half-way point of their historic crossing of Greenland after 28 days yesterday. They still have another 1,300km to the Arctic Ocean and then a further 800km to Qaanaq, their final destination.

This route of the expedition has never been attempted before.

Part of the expedition involves using kite-skiing to cross Greenland and the climate has varied between too much and too little wind. With the heavy winds, there have been several injuries caused by uncontrollable kites.

Challenges during the journey include hauling 130kg sleds up a crevassed glacier for three days at the start, winds up to 80km per hour and storms with whiteouts.

Hayes is reportedly pleased with the progress of the Emirates NBD Greenland Quest. "We are doing well and are on track. We are working well as a team and have managed all the incidents along the way," he said.

Part of the reason behind the expedition is to draw the world's attention to the issues of One Planet Living and the use of natural resources. The human race is living beyond its means and the expedition itself shows how resources can be used to maximum effect as Hayes himself is keen to emphasise.

"We are living off three litres of water per day in Greenland. We are not leaving any waste and are relying on both solar and wind power for everything. The Emirates NBD Greenland Quest illustrates what is possible and how the planet needs to re-evaluate its use of natural resources right now for our future on the planet."

Emirates NBD, the lead sponsors of Hayes's expedition is supporting the quest through the participation of 20 schools across the UAE. The Emirates NBD competition offers four cash prizes of Dh5000 to the schools who show the most engagement in the quest and who can demonstrate how they would utilise their award to make their school environment greener.