A 1: N65.38.74 W037.33.95 Cape at Nord Fjord
A 2: N65.39.00 W037.31.23 Hill at Sarpagajik
A 3: N65.39.87 W037.31.48 The Ridge - where timing stops/starts
A 4: N65.40.03 W037.31.38 Summit of Polhems Fjeld

General description:

This is a combined canoe and mountain hiking/climbing stage, involving a short distance of paddling across the Fjord to the north side of the fjord. From there it’s mountain hiking until A3 where the timing is stopped.  From A3 to the summit and back again it’s scrambling/climbing - with great views and a bit of exposure.

Specifics:

One hour before the start, you can inflate and prepare your canoe in the starting area. When the start goes you’ll have to carry the canoe from behind the start line to the water. The safety boats will be ready - one for each canoe. When paddling you can ensure optimum safety by avoiding narrow and shallow passages (where the safety boat cannot navigate), and by keeping a distance to large and unstable icebergs (What is Large? - Bigger than a lorry. What is unstable? - Any iceberg that is shifting/rolling in the water).  In case of a capsize: Stay close to the canoe, grab it and wait for the safety boat to pick you up - one at a time. Obey the instructions given by the boatpersons.

Upon arrival at A1 you have the responsibility to secure the boat and then you are off for the mountain part heading for A2. From A2 to A3 you have to keep right / east of the couloir seen just in front / to the N of you, it’s the partly snow filled structure leading from approx 250 m elev to 450 m elevation  - this has been ascended and descended in previous years, but IT IS UNSAFE AND HAS TO BE CIRCUMVENTED TO THE EAST. The Restricted area has been marked with red/white markertape. You’ll pass above the couloir heading for A3. Once you have passed the couloir you are obliged to wear your helmet. Heading upwards for A3 involves scrambling in a lot of loose scree, so you have to be careful to avoid rock falls. Upon reaching A3 your time will be stopped when the whole team has reached the checkpoint.  From A3 to the summit you’ll have the ATC markers to show you the route and there will be officials to help you keep on the right route. Officials are there to assist you in ways of showing you the right way, encouraging you, and answer questions you might have on the nature of the climb, advise can be given legally from officials to racers on this section, as can actual physical help on the short ladder section.

The whole team has to reach the summit, from where it can return to A3, where the time starts again as soon as the first racer from the team starts heading down. BE CAREFUL going down!! It’s easy, but speed can be deceptive - we have seen it before (and it’s on TV also!). Thus You have to pass E of the couloir and proceed to A1 from here you paddle back to Tasiilaq, carry the canoe past the finish line , before your time will be noted. After this you’ll have to deflate and pack the canoe.