Modern-day explorer and expedition guide Eric Larsen’s life epitomizes adventure. A polar adventurer, dog musher and educator, he has spent the past 15 years of his life traveling in some of the most remote and wild places left on earth.
In 2006, Eric and Lonnie Dupre completed the first ever summer expedition to the North Pole. During this journey, the duo pulled and paddled specially modified canoes across 550 miles of shifting sea ice and open ocean. Eric successfully led his first expedition to the South Pole in 2008, covering nearly 600 miles in 41 days. Eric is now one of only a few Americans in to have skied to both the North and South Poles.
In November 2009, Eric returned to Antarctica for the first leg of his world record Save the Poles expedition. This time he completed a 750-mile ski traverse to the geographic South arriving on January 2, 2010. Two short months later he was dropped off at northern Ellesmere Island for a winter-style North Pole Journey. The international team reached the North Pole 51 days later on Earth Day – April 22, 2010. He is currently embarked on the final leg of the Save the Pole expedition – climbing to the summit of Mt. Everest.
Eric's other expeditions include dog sledding in the Canadian Arctic, training trips to Hudson Bay and countless dog sled races (including the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon). He has summited Mt. McKinley, ridden his bike across the United States, been a backcountry ranger in Alaska and a white water canoe guide in Colorado. Eric has dedicated his adult life to sharing his love for the outdoor world with others. As an educator, Eric strives to connect people to places and issues. In recognition of those efforts, Eric was elected as one of Outside Magazine's Eco All Stars in 2008. He was also inducted as a member of the Explorer's Club based in New York City.
Eric travels extensively giving motivational and educational lectures to schools, universities, non profit organizations and corporate groups. He is currently planning a book and documentary about the Save the Poles expedition.
Eric splits his time between Boulder, Colorado and Grand Marais, Minnesota.
With a noticeable skip in our step, we left Namche Bazar and headed down the trail toward Tengboche. It felt good to be on the move again and making forward progress.
Today was more of the same weather with light mist and overcast skies once again. There were brief periods… Read the rest
I’m not complaining really, because I know things are going to get infinitely harder fairly quickly, but I’m having a difficult time calling what I’m doing right now an expedition. I should be a lot colder. Or more tired. Or something. That said, I think I’ve smiled way more this… Read the rest
I feel like I can always use one more day. This morning was no exception. Up most of last night finishing office work and other last minute details, I thought another day in Kathamndu might not be such a bad thing. Besides, from what I’ve been told, the weather has… Read the rest
I am still trying to figure out if I am jet lagged or not. My theory is that, because of such a long flight, I passed through my
normal zone of travel tiredness back into my regular schedule. Still writing this, I am a bit tired after a long day.… Read the rest
I suppose the best place to start is the beginning, but neither one of us has that kind of time. Instead, I’ll forgo some of the more mundane details and skip to the past week or so.
I’m down to the wire in terms of Everest preparations (and the usual… Read the rest
