Mont Forel Attempt, East Greenland. Our objective was to make a lightweight ski approach, using previously established, air-dropped depots of food and fuel, to Mont Forel. Then we planned to attempt an ascent from the unclimbed north side before commencing the 135-km ski journey to the coast. We were Graham Elson, Michael Esten, Rupert Hoare, David Waldron and I. Very bad weather caused a change of plans and on May 15 we were flown from Kulusuk to the north side of Mont Forel. We were left with five days to spend at Forel before commencing the journey out to the coast. Two attempts were made on the mountain. The first, on the southwest ridge, was abandoned 300 meters below the summit due to snow conditions and the second, on the northeast flank, was given up within 200 meters of the top due to high winds and extreme cold. The remaining days there were notable for high winds, windblown snow and temperatures of - 20° to - 30° C. The Forel camp was evacuated on May 20, a day early, when the wind slackened sufficiently to allow the tents to be struck. The first three days of skiing were with poor visibility, but two days of good weather permitted a pleasant approach to the Conniats Pass, where three boxes of food and fuel were located without difficulty. A further two days saw the expedition at the next depot, 50 kms away at the end of the Knud Rasmussen Glacier, awaiting the helicopter.

Derek Fordham, Eagle Ski Club, England