About - Vincent Colliard

BIO

With a penchant for exploration, French adventurer Vincent Colliard is one of the most accomplished polar explorers of our generation whose numbered expeditions include the current crossing of the 20 largest icecaps on earth. He represents a new breed of athlete willing to bridge adventure and science, and inspire environmental give-back on a global scale.Vincent grew up in the Basque region between the voice of the Pyrenees mountains and the call of the Atlantic Ocean. After reading some adventure stories at the age of 17, he had a dream of exploring the most remote places on earth.

Before becoming a professional explorer in 2014, Vincent remembers few adventures which stood out of his mind.

Two of his first mountaineering expeditions led him to climb a new route on a virgin 6000 meters peak in the Himalayas. The instability of the rocks and the avalanches had the team and Vincent to turn back and to go home. Later on, Vincent realised that success would probably come if he was able to go from one failure to another keeping his enthusiasm.

Patagonia was another key expedition. Vincent was skiing unsupported partially across the Southern icecap.

While carrying heavy backpacks on the ice, one expedition member lost his balance and the front spike of his crampons went through Vincent ‘ ski boots. It fractured his foot. He had to continue skiing 10h/day for 2 weeks to reach civilization but discovered his unsuspected resources.

Vincent had the great opportunity to join Borge Ousland in 2010 sailing around the North Pole in one single season. Through the North West passage, they sailed for 25 days, what took 3 years for Amundsen only a century ago, and because of the ice retreat. That was a huge eye opening experience for Vincent.

In 2012, Vincent and Borge created the project Icelegacy, an ongoing series of expeditions crossing the 20 largest ice caps on the planet over the course of the next 10 to 15 years. Their goals are to explore these melting ice fields, raise awareness and initiate long term activism towards the conservation of these huge sources of fresh water and the eco systems living around them.

Icelegacy is Vincent’s current main project. For him, the environmental changes should be at the pinnacle of our preoccupations.

BIO

Vincent grew up in the Basque region between the voice of the Pyrenees mountains and the call of the Atlantic Ocean. After reading some adventure stories at the age of 17, he had a dream of exploring the most remote places on earth.

Before becoming a professional explorer in 2014, Vincent remembers few adventures which stood out of his mind.

Patagonia was another key expedition. Vincent was skiing unsupported partially across the Southern icecap. While carrying heavy backpacks on the ice, one expedition member lost his balance and the front spike of his crampons went through Vincent ‘ ski boots. It fractured his foot. He had to continue skiing 10h/day for 2 weeks to reach civilization but discovered his unsuspected resources.

In 2014, Vincent and Borge created the project Icelegacy, an ongoing series of expeditions crossing the 20 largest ice caps on the planet over the course of the next 10 to 15 years. Their goals are to explore these melting ice fields, raise awareness and initiate long term activism towards the conservation of these huge sources of fresh water and the eco systems living around them.

Icelegacy is Vincent’s current main project. For him, the environmental changes should be at the pinnacle of our preoccupations.

PAST EXPEDITIONS CANADA, BAFFIN ISLAND

Icelegacy Project. 2 unsupported ski expeditions across Barnes and Penny icecap together with Børge Ousland. Barnes crossing, from Conn Lake to Generator Lake; 120 km, 6 days. Penny crossing, from Narpaing Valley to Pangnirtung; 190km, 9 days.

ANTARCTIC PENINSULA

Guiding. Unsupported ski expedition in the footsteps of Wally Herbert on the Antarctic Peninsula. Entrance Breguet glacier and exit Portal Point; 216km, 25 days. Extra: sailing across the Drake Passage.

ARCTIC OCEAN

Other expeditions. Attempt unsupported sailing expedition to cross the entire Arctic Ocean via the North Pole, from Alaska to Svalbard together with Sébastien Roubinet and Eric André. From Prudhoe Bay to 79’35 North and back to Banks Island, Canada; 83 days, 2000km. Shackleton Award.

SVALBARD, MAIN SPITSBERGEN

Guiding. Unsupported ski expedition to mount Newton, highest peak of Svalbard, together with 3 customers. From Von Postbreen to Newton Summit and back in Gipsdalen; 160km, 11 days.

ALASKA, CHUGACH MOUNTAINS

IceLegacy Poject. Unsupported ski mountaineering expedition crossing the icecap located in the middle of the Chugach mountains together with Børge Ousland; 220km, 23 days. Extra: summiting Marcus Baker, SW face.

ARTIC OCEAN, NORTH POLE

Guiding (assistant). Unsupported ski expedition “Last Degree” to the North Pole with Thomas Ulrich and 7 customers; 110 km, 6 days.

ALASKA, WRANGELL ST-ELIAS

IceLegacy Project. 2nd unsupported ski expedition crossing the largest ice cap (outside the polar regions) of Wrangell St Elias together with Børge Ousland; 430 km, 19 days including 3 days ski-sailing. Extra: 2 additional days of adventure to join civilization on skis and canoes on the Copper River.

ALASKA, STIKINE

IceLegacy Project. First unsupported ski expedition North-South of the Stikine icecap together with Børge Ousland; 200km, 16 days.

NORWAY, HARDANGERVIDDA

Guiding. Unsupported ski expedition crossing in winter of part of the Hardangervidda plateau in southern Norway with 2 customers. From Haukeliseter fjellstue to Dyranut; 80km, 5 days.

SVALBARD, MAIN SPITSBERGEN

IceLegacy Project. Unsupported ski expedition crossing Main Spitsbergen icecap together with Børge Ousland. From Buldrebreen to Von Postbreen glacier in Templefjord; 180km, 8 days.

PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA, CHILE

Guiding. Unsupported ski expedition crossing Main Spitsbergen icecap together with Børge Ousland. From Buldrebreen to Von Postbreen glacier in Templefjord; 180km, 8 days.

SVALBARD, NORDAUSTLANDET

Guiding. Unsupported ski expedition crossing Nordaustlandet glacial island East-West together with Børge Ousland and 7 customers. 210km, 10 days.

ATLANTIC OCEAN

Other expeditions. Crew member sailing across the Atlantic Ocean together with Philippe d’Elbee aboard RM 1350 "Cruising Bird". From Martinique, Caribbean, to La Rochelle, France; 3640nm, 30 days.

SVALBARD, NORDAUSTLANDET

Icelegacy Project. First unsupported ski expedition East-West crossing of the glacial island of Nordaustlandet together with Børge Ousland. From Kapp Laura to Kalkstranda; 210km, 10 days.

ATLANTIC OCEAN

Other expeditions. Crew member sailing across the Atlantic Ocean crossing with friends aboard Dufour 44 "La Licorne". From São Vicente, Cabo Verde, to Bahia De Salvador, Brazil; 2040nm, 17 days.

ATLANTIC OCEAN

Other expeditions. Crew member sailing across the Atlantic Ocean together with Eric Brossier aboard "Vagabond". From Brest, France to Nuuk, Greenland; 2105nm, 28 days.

ARCTIC OCEAN

Other expeditions. Crew member sailing around the North Pole in one single summer season aboard ‘’Northern Passage’’ together with Børge Ousland and Thorleif Thorleiffsson. Stage 1, from Oslo to Kirkenes; 1400nm, 20 days. Stage 2, from Point Barrow, Alaska, to Oslo, Norway, via the Northwest Passage, Baffin Bay, Davis Strait, Cape Farewell and the North Atlantic; 4900nm, 42 days

NEPAL, HIMALAYA

Other expeditions. Two attempts to open a new route in alpine style on a virgin summit of 6670m together with climber Stéphane Schaffter.

PATAGONIA, CHILE, ARGENTINA

Other expeditions. Tierra del fuego. Cycling, trekking, kayaking and skiing in solo with assistance around Tierra del Fuego; 1000km, 2 months.

« Vincent has the ability to forge ahead even if every one else is out of order. His navigation and outdoor skills are at the highest level »

Børge Ousland, most accomplished polar explorer alive.