Gunnbjørn Fjeld, Arctic mountain peak in Sermersooq, Greenland.
Gunnbjørn Fjeld is a mountain in Greenland that rises 3,694 meters (12,119 feet) above sea level. The peak emerges as a nunatak, a rocky summit protruding through the surrounding glacial ice, making it the highest point north of the Arctic Circle.
The mountain was first climbed in 1935 by Augustine Courtauld and Jack Longland, conquering one of the last major unclimbed peaks of the northern hemisphere. Their expedition required reaching one of Earth's most isolated regions.
Norse explorers referred to this mountain as Hvitserk, and its current name honors Gunnbjorn Ulfsson, the first European to spot Greenland's coastline.
The mountain is accessible only by helicopter or ski-equipped aircraft, typically departing from Iceland. The extreme altitude and harsh climate require extensive preparation and specialized mountaineering gear.
The name honors Gunnbjorn Ulfsson, an Icelandic explorer who was the first European to sight Greenland's coast. This naming preserves the historical connection between Iceland and Greenland.
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