Visual Journal - Greenland's Disko Bay V13

Becoming an Expedition Guide
Gregers Gjersøe, Snowshoe Master & Expedition Guide
Page 15
Back in 1999, I crossed Greenland on skis with two of
my Danish friends. When we finally made it to the top
of the ice cap, we decided to celebrate by flying the
Danish and the Greenlandic flag. Unfortunately, we
ended up placing the Greenlandic flag upside down
because none of us was sure which way was correct...
During the remainder of the expedition, as we made
our way down from the top of the ice cap, I started
thinking more about why and how three Danish guys
could possibly know so little about Greenland, despite
the fact that it’s a part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
When I returned home, I decided to learn all I could
about Greenland and the polar regions, travelling
extensively, not only to Greenland, but throughout the
Arctic and the Antarctic. The polar areas became my
passion and have been for the last twenty years. I
became so fascinated by the polar regions, that I
wanted to share my knowledge and love for these
places with other people. There is so much to love and
experience in the polar regions, from great scenery
and wildlife to the culture of the peoples who have
populated the Arctic since time immemorial.
© Renato Granieri Photography
I haven’t always worked in the polar regions, though.
Since childhood, I was very interested in navigation,
aerodynamics, metrology and aviation. I acquired my
pilot’s license in 1985 and worked as a commercial
pilot for Scandinavian Airlines during a 30 year career.
There, I was able to satisfy all of my interests while
learning how to work as part of a team, bringing the
aircraft from point A to point B in the safest way
possible.
After ending my pilot career, I took up yet another
dream of mine that had occupied my mind since
crossing Greenland. In Danish schools, there is very
little focus on the history and cultures of Greenland
and the Faroe Islands; thus, there is very little
awareness within the Danish population about these
countries. I wanted to create a much better awareness
and, therefore, I started the Polar School
(Polarskolen).
The school is run as a non-profit organization with a
board of nine members. I am chairman of the board
and there are members from the Danish government,
from Greenland, the Faroe Islands as well as teachers.
We have received funding from the Royal Crown
Prince Frederik and his wife, Crown Princess Mary.
Now, I travel Denmark, visiting schools with our
educational materials. Presently we teach 7 th graders,
but we are working towards having materials for 1 st
graders and 4 th graders.
Based on my background and experience in aviation
and in the polar regions, I could not think of a better
way to combine my passions for the Arctic and the
Antarctic then to become Expedition Guide. These
days, I spend five weeks of the summer in the Arctic
and five weeks of the winter in the Antarctic, so I can
show our guests all the places that I truly love.
© Renato Granieri Photography
23-28 August, 2019 Volume 1, Issue 13