The first team to kayak the entire Northwest Passage

Mark made history when he and his three teammates became the first people to kayak the entire Northwest Passage. The expedition took 103 days, from 1 July to 12 October 2023, and caught the imagination of the British public.

Teams had been attempting to complete the Northwest Passage under human power, without sails or motors, since 2013. Two other rowing teams were attempting the world first at the same time as Mark. It was a race in the mould of the classic polar adventures.

Mark faced daunting sea ice, terrifying encounters with polar bears, incredible scenery and beautiful experiences with narwhals and other whales. The team, expedition leader West Hansen, Jeff Wueste, Eileen Visser and Mark, forged bonds for life through their shared effort.

They paddled ultramarathon distances, often for several days in a row, in a desperate race against time as winter returned. In the final week the temperatures plummeted. Mark had to dig the tent out of snow drifts and walk for hours to find fresh water that wasn't frozen solid.

Mark raised thousands of pounds for Wilderness Foundation UK, a charity focused on getting people outdoors for their mental health.

The route

The Northwest Passage is the historic route long sought by explorers searching for a trade route from Europe to Asia.

Lessons for your team

In his keynote, Mark talks openly about his failures leading up to the Northwest Passage, his struggles and the framework he used to approach the challenge.

The keynote

Media

Mark is available for interviews with media and podcasts about the expedition. Get in touch.