The scientific and exploratory expedition SOS ARCTIC WINDSLED 2022 sets off on May 7 aboard the Spanish eco-vehicle, which will cover 1,500 kilometers in a circular route around the South Dome of Greenland. For the first time, the team will travel west to east across Greenland’s inland ice sheet (Inlandsis). Along the way, two scientific research projects will be carried out, while the expedition also serves as a call to action regarding the growing environmental and military threats facing the Arctic.
Led once again by Ramón Larramendi, the expedition features a team of six explorers—its largest yet. Larramendi returns to the Windsled with his usual drive after the pandemic pause:
“There’s a lot of uncertainty around crossing Greenland from west to east, as it’s never been done before with this kind of vehicle. But we’re confident we’ll overcome the challenges and achieve all our goals.”
The expedition is organized by the Polar Exploration Association and funded by the technology company GMV, Auxiliar Conservera, Tierras Polares, the Department of Environment of the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council, and the regional environment ministries of Valencia and Murcia, along with the Environmental Office of the San Sebastián City Council.
Polar Science, Global Science
The scientific team includes Spanish researchers Lucía Hortal, who holds a master’s in organic chemistry from the Autonomous University of Madrid, and Begoña Hernández, an environmental science graduate. They’ll lead projects from Madrid’s Astrobiology Center, focusing on biochemical analysis of snow at various depths, and from the MicroAirPolar initiative, which collects airborne microorganisms and pathogens.
The rest of the team includes Basque journalist Juanma Sotillos, Valencian mountaineer Carlos Pitarch, and polar explorer Markus Tobia Leisegang from Venezuela.
New Challenges
Larramendi estimates the expedition will take about 35 days as they circumnavigate the South Dome, the highest elevation in southern Greenland’s ice sheet, at nearly 3,000 meters above sea level. Over 20 years after inventing the Windsled—and with 40,000 km already traveled across Antarctica and Greenland—this mission will test a giant 250-square-meter kite. In steady, light wind, each square meter of sail can pull about 9 kilos. With its crew, scientific gear, and supplies, the Windsled will weigh approximately 2,200 kg, 500 of which is the sled itself.
The Windsled is made up of four modules—pilot, cargo, science, and living quarters—measuring 13 meters long by 3.5 meters wide. Its modular design allows it to split in two if needed based on the terrain. Nearly all its equipment was developed by Spanish companies: Altus (tents and clothing), Windtech (kites), and Fun Run in Aranda de Duero (sled construction).
Clean Energy
In line with the United Nations’ sustainability goals, the expedition is a model of “zero footprint.” Amazingly, the team will only use 70 liters of fuel on the entire journey—just enough to melt snow for drinking water. All other energy needs will be met with wind and solar power.
More Than Just Science
Beyond its role as a mobile eco-lab, the expedition aims to spotlight the urgent need to protect the Arctic, now widely seen as ground zero for climate change. The region faces serious threats: the melting of Greenland’s ice sheet and the disappearance of sea ice—both critical to global ecological balance—and its rising geopolitical importance.
As a potential trade corridor (the so-called “Polar Silk Road”) and home to 25% of the planet’s untapped mineral resources, the Arctic is now a geopolitical hotspot. With vague territorial boundaries, its militarization—initiated by Russia well before the war in Ukraine—has accelerated under the pressure of sanctions, as the Kremlin prioritizes Arctic resource extraction.
Ramón Larramendi and the five other expedition members are currently making final preparations for the sled between Narsarsuaq and the small town of Qassiarsuk—population 50—where Larramendi has had a home for the past 25 years.