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Ousland and Thorleifsson traveled both the Northeast and Northwest passages in a 10-meter, multi-hulled trimaran, at times sailing 24 hours a day to complete the voyage in a single summer season -- before the passage sealed with ice. The two Norwegians undertook the audacious voyage to highlight the rapid melting of the Arctic ice cap. "This trip would have been impossible 10 years ago," Ousland told CNN. "But then in 2007 we saw that the Northeast and Northwest passages
were open at the same time."
The famously inhospitable region, bordered by Norway, Russia and Canada, used to be considered virtually inaccessible, with thick ice making the area all but impassable. But the Arctic's ice cover has receded swiftly in recent years -- the Northeast Passage even opened to cargo ships in the last few years.
"I don't think people really understand the dramatic impact climate change is making," Ousland told CNN. "That's why we wanted to take this small boat -- it's not an ice breaker, it's not even made of steel -- and sail it around the Arctic to show people what is happening."
Five additional crew members joined the two men at various stages of the journey, including the tricky navigation of Baffin Bay, an area between Canada and Greenland that is riddled with massive icebergs. "We needed more people aboard to keep constant guard as we sailed 24 hours to get through before the passage froze up," Ousland told CNN. The Northern Passage wasn't alone in its attempt to make history as the first boat to circumnavigate the Arctic in a single season. Russian boat Peter I traveled at almost the same time. "We had a little friendly competition with the Russians," said Ousland. "We met these guys in several places along the trip and we drank tea and helped each other out."
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http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/11/15/norwegian.explorer.arctic.voyage/?hpt=C2
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