The six young alpinists of the SAC expedition team are preparing for the grand finale of their three-year training: in the summer of 2025, they want to climb the wild, untouched rock faces of Greenland in big wall style - in an environmentally friendly way, without flying. Crowdfunding for the project has now begun.
The SAC Expedition Team is part of the youth development program of the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) and aims to train young, talented mountaineers and pass on their experiences to future generations.
The current team members – Naomie Bürki, Lea Schneider, Coraline Weber, Melanie Tenorio, Pauline Laubscher and Gianna Müller – are trained in all areas of alpinism under the direction of mountain guide Caro North.
This includes technical aspects such as rope handling or improvised rescue, but also the ability to function as a team in challenging situations in the mountains. The goal is to carry out a self-organized expedition at the end of the training.
The SAC expedition team is not only a unique opportunity to learn all aspects of mountaineering, but also to make a statement as women in a male-dominated sport.
Melanie Tenorio
In September, Swiss television SRF released a seven-part documentary series entitled The Expedition Team, which shows the intensive training of the women's and men's teams. The expedition in summer 2025 will also be accompanied by a film crew that will document the challenges, successes and impressions of this extraordinary adventure.
documentary series about the expedition team
Bigwall climbing in Greenland: A project with potential and respect for nature
The team deliberately chose Greenland for their final project. The enormous granite walls in the country's remote fjords offer the ideal terrain for first ascents. "The numerous untouched rock formations and the isolation of the landscape make Greenland unique," says Naomie Bürki.
The mountaineers plan to spend a month exploring new big wall routes. This involves climbing huge walls over several days. The team uses mobile safety equipment that leaves as few traces as possible on the walls.
The team also remains true to its principle of sustainability when travelling: instead of getting on a plane, they travel over 7000 kilometres by train, bus, ferry and sailboat. The women want to show that expedition mountaineering can be done responsibly and in an environmentally friendly way.
By using environmentally friendly means of transport, you can save over 50% of emissions compared to travelling by plane. Environmental responsibility and adventure do not have to be mutually exclusive.
Leah Schneider
The team needs financial support
Although the project is partly supported by the SAC and by material sponsors, the funds are not sufficient to cover all the expenses of the expedition. The complex logistics, the environmentally friendly journey and the equipment entail high costs. Therefore, the team has a Crowdfunding and is asking the community for support to realize her dream in Greenland.
With their expedition, the mountaineers hope to inspire young mountaineers and show that mountaineering is possible responsibly and in harmony with nature. You can support them directly on their crowdfunding page.
That might interest you
- From the expedition squad to the wintry Badile northwest face
- Big winter ascent on the wild north face: Gietl, Hinterberger and Wohlleben climb Ultima Perla ground-up
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Credits: Cover picture Hugo Vincent